Packing for a seaplane is different from packing for an airline flight. Your allowance is a single weight limit for everything you bring, your bags travel in the hold rather than with you, and the aircraft and dock have physical limits that matter if you're bringing a stroller or mobility equipment. This checklist helps you prepare, but it is not the policy itself. Harbour Air's own pages and your booking confirmation are the authority; we link to them throughout, and you should confirm anything that affects whether you can travel.

1. Start with your fare's allowance

Harbour Air's help centre ties your baggage allowance to your fare. Your confirmation also shows your departure terminal; if you're unsure which one you're using, see Harbour Air Vancouver terminals. When we checked on November 9, 2026, the allowances were:

  • Flex: 50 lb
  • Comfort: 25 lb
  • Value: 15 lb
  • Light: 10 lb

Harbour Air says all items count, including purses, briefcases and backpacks, and that no single bag may exceed 50 lb. Your booking confirmation shows the allowance that applies to you. Our first-flight guide also covers each fare's change and cancellation rules.

Practical tip: weigh everything at home, together, on a bathroom scale. Many people discover the camera bag or laptop backpack is what tips them over.

2. Know what stays in the hold

All bags, including small carry-ons, go in the aircraft's cargo area. Only very small items that fit in a seat-back pocket can come into the cabin. Plan a pocket kit you'll keep with you:

  • Phone and charger cable
  • Wallet and ID
  • Keys
  • Any medication you might need during the flight or immediately on arrival
  • A light layer if you tend to feel cold

Everything else goes in your bag.

3. If you're over your allowance

You have two options under Harbour Air's current policy:

  • Standby baggage. On domestic flights, bags over your allowance can travel standby, which means they may arrive on an earlier or later flight depending on space.
  • Guaranteed space. You can buy an extra seat to guarantee up to 200 lb of additional baggage, shared across your party.

If you need your bags with you on arrival — for example, a same-day onward journey — don't rely on standby. Upgrade your fare or buy the extra seat.

4. Travelling with children

Harbour Air's help centre says:

  • Children under 24 months fly free as lap-held infants. You must tell Harbour Air you're travelling with an infant when you book, and one adult must accompany each infant.
  • All aircraft carry infant life vests.
  • Children aged 2 to 11 get a discounted fare when travelling with a parent or guardian aged 16 or older.
  • Children aged 5 to 11 can travel alone under the unaccompanied minor program, booked through reservations.

Strollers and car seats: Children's items must fit the aircraft's size and weight restrictions. Ask Harbour Air before booking whether your stroller or car seat can travel, whether it counts towards your allowance and whether it can be used on board. A compact, lightweight stroller is the safer choice.

Families also often bring: snacks for the terminal wait, something to occupy children during check-in, and a change of clothes in an accessible part of the bag.

Families are welcome to pre-board. Ask at check-in.

5. Mobility equipment and boarding

Boarding is from a floating dock, which can move with the water, into a small aircraft. Harbour Air describes these services on its extra assistance pages:

  • Pre-boarding and extra time for guests who need it
  • Crew offering a steady hand during boarding and deplaning
  • Escorts for guests with mobility devices to and from the aircraft
  • A mobility lift. Harbour Air's lift page says the guest must be able to move between wheelchair and aircraft seat using a transfer plate, staff can provide only minimal, stabilizing help, and the lift is rated to 500 lb with a seat 17.75 inches wide and 16 inches deep.

Questions to ask before booking:

  • Is the mobility lift available at both my departure and arrival terminals?
  • How should my wheelchair or scooter be prepared for the hold, and does it count towards my allowance?
  • How much notice do you need?
  • What happens if conditions on the dock on the day make boarding unsafe?

6. Medications, oxygen and medical equipment

Keep essential medication in your pocket kit. For portable oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines or other medical devices, read Harbour Air's oxygen and respiratory devices information and contact the airline before booking. Harbour Air says pregnant passengers are welcome at any stage; check with your healthcare provider about your own circumstances.

7. Pets and service dogs

Harbour Air's luggage help article says pet weight counts towards your allowance. Service dogs and pets each have their own page on Harbour Air's extra assistance hub. Read them and contact the airline in advance.

8. Who to contact before booking

Contact Harbour Air directly, before paying, if any of these apply:

  • You'll be travelling with a stroller, car seat, wheelchair, scooter or medical device.
  • You need help boarding.
  • A child under 12 is travelling alone.
  • You're bringing sports equipment or oversized items. Harbour Air asks travellers to email reservations to confirm the aircraft type.

Confirm your individual requirements with Harbour Air. Luggage · Extra assistance · Booking conditions (opens harbourair.com)

Printable checklist

  • Allowance confirmed on booking: ___ lb
  • All bags weighed together at home
  • No single bag over 50 lb
  • Pocket kit packed (phone, ID, keys, medication)
  • Infant declared at booking
  • Stroller / car seat / mobility device confirmed with Harbour Air
  • Assistance requested
  • Oversized items cleared with reservations

If you're planning a family day around a flight, see Vancouver with kids. For travellers with limited walking, see Vancouver for mixed ages and limited walking.

FAQs

Does my fare include this bag? Check the weight allowance on your confirmation. Every item counts.

Can I bring a stroller? Ask Harbour Air about stroller arrangements before booking.

What should I ask about mobility equipment? Whether the lift is available at both ends, how your device travels, and how much notice is required.

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