In-Cabin Pet Policy

Air Canada offers in-cabin service on most flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge as well as Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian or Exploits Valley Air. Pets are not allowed in Premium Economy on a Boeing 787-8 (788), Boeing 787-9 (789) or A330-300 (333) aircraft. Pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to or from Hawaii or the United Kingdom.

If your small dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Canada pet policy to travel in-cabin, you will need an approved airline pet carrier. The carrier must have a waterproof bottom, have room for your pet to stand up and turn around, must fasten securly and have adequate ventilation.

Pets Allowed:

Small cats and dogs. One pet is permitted per adult passenger.

Air Canada will ban dogs or cats on planes without HEPA filters when a passenger with an allergy to dogs or cats is on board. If the dog is a service animal, priority will be given to the first reservation made. On planes with HEPA filters, a five row buffer zone between a pet and the passenger with allergies will be established in the aircraft.

Age Requirements:

Pets must be at least 12 weeks old to travel in the cabin.

Restrictions:

Air Canada will not transport pets in the cabin to the following destinations: Australia, Barbados, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Air Canada will fly pets out of the UK and Hawaii in the cabin.

Pets are not allowed to travel in Premium Economy class or in a bulkhead row in any class. Pets are not allowed on Boeing 737 (Max 8) aircraft. If your itinerary includes a flight that is marketed by Air Canada but operated by an Air Canada codeshare partner, you will not be able to travel with your pet. Pets must travel to Hawaii as manifest cargo.

Carrier Requirements:

Carrier measurements will vary depending on the aircraft serving the route. There is one pet permitted per passenger. Carriers must be secure, allow for your pet to stand up and turn around and must have a waterproof bottom.

Maximum carrier size hardsided: 9"H x 15.5"W x 21.5"L (23cm x 40cm x 21.5cm)
Maximum carrier size softsided: 10.5"H x 15.5"W x 21.5"L (27cm x 40cm x 55cm)

Reservations:

You should notify Air Canada that you are traveling with a pet within 24 hours of making your own booking. You must be an adult passenger and your pet will count towards your carry-on allowance.

Check-In:

You must arrive at the airport and check-in with an Air Canada ticket agent at least 30 minutes prior to regular check in time (2 hours for domestic and international flights). All forms required for destination country must be presented at check-in when traveling internationally.

Cost:

$50USD one way within Canada or to/from US (excluding Hawaii) - $100USD international

Service and Emotional Support Animals

Air Canada will transport professionally trained service animals which are assisting customers with disabilities free of charge. The service animals must be must be harnessed and will sit at the passenger's feet. It must be certified as having been trained to assist a person with a disability by a professional service animal institution. Notice must be given a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

As of March 1, 2021, Air Canada no longer recognizes emotional support animals. If small enough to conform to carrier requirements, your pet can fly under normal Air Canada pet policies.

Checked Baggage Pet Policy

If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight, Air Canada may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft according to its regulations. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.

Note that Warm blooded species will not be accepted as checked baggage from November 1st-March 31st on the following aircrafts: CRJ, CR7, E175, E190 and B737.

Pets Allowed:

Cat or dogs.

Route Restrictions:

Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage to Australia, Barbados, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa,Trinidad and Tobago or the United Kingdom. Air Canada will fly pets out of the UK and Hawaii as checked baggage.

Reservations:

To fly your pet as checked baggage, reservations should be made no more than 24 hours after booking your ticket. The number of pets accepted in the baggage compartment is limited by aircraft type.

Check-In:

When flying as checked baggage, you will check in your pet at the passenger ticket counter at least 30 minutes prior to flight time in an IATA compliant pet crate at which time you will pay the fee for transport. In order to travel as checked baggage, The weight of your pet and its carrier should not exceed 70 pounds otherwise your pet will travel via Air Canada Cargo.

Cost:

$105USD (domestic) $270USD (International)

Breed Restrictions

See Breed Restrictions below.

Temperature Restrictions:

If, at any point, (origination/transit/destination) during your pet's transport, the temperature for the day is forecast to be less than 10 degrees F (-12°C) or greater than 85°F (29°C), your pet will be refused transport as checked baggage. There are no exceptions to these temperature restrictions. Between June 10 and September 10, no pets will be transported as checked baggage; however they will be accepted as air cargo.

Forms Required:

Air Canada will require all forms required for destination country be presented at check-in when traveling internationally.

Crate Requirements:

292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height)**

The crate must meet all IATA standards. Click here for IATA pet crate requirements.

Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet' crate together. Click here for crate requirements.

Need an IATA compliant pet crate? Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

Manifest Cargo Pet Policies

Air Canada Cargo serves over 190 worldwide destinations, including 64 Canadian cities, 52 destinations in the United States and 78 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.

Air Canada has resumed service to the United States to/from MIA, LAX and ORD. Passage must be booked through an IPATA agent.

Note that Warm blooded species will not be accepted as air cargo from November 1st-March 31st on the following aircrafts: CRJ, CR7, E175, E190 and B737.

Pets Allowed

All warm blooded mammals and birds, acquatics and insects. Air Canada Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive animals, non-human primates for experiments, threatened species, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.

Age:

Pets must be at least 16 weeks old, weaned and vaccinated for domestic or international travel.

Forms Required

A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination and all forms required for your destination country. Air Canada will require all forms required for destination country be presented at check-in when traveling internationally.

Check-In

Locations will vary by airport depending on the location of the cargo office.

Breed Restrictions 

See list of snub-nosed breeds below

The following breeds must be transported in metal crates such as IATA CR82 crates:

Temperature Restrictions:

Air Canada will not accept warm-blooded animals for transport anywhere when the outside ground temperature is 85 °F (29.5°C) or higher at the departure city, the destination city or any transit point in between.

Between May 15 and December 15, pet transport to the following cities is prohibited or regulated: Atlanta, Dallas Fort Worth, Ft Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and Phoenix. Due to extreme temperatures in Asia and the Middle East, transport to and from all airports in this area is not permitted between July 1 and August 31.

Form Requirements:

Air Canada Cargo will require an health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. Also required are proof of vaccinations (dog, cat and ferret) and pet passport documents for the country your pet is traveling to (international travel only).

Crate Requirements:

See checked baggage category above. More info on crate requirements.
Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

More Information:

Air Canada has a pet facility in Toronto for overnight kenneling.
AIRLINE PET TRAVEL TIPS
TIPS FOR AIRLINE PET CARGO TRAVEL
PREPARING A PET CARGO CRATE FOR AIR TRAVEL

Airports Served

Air Canada serves locations worldwide in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean, North and South America including the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Air Canada is also approved to fly into London Heathrow and Manchester (accompanied pets only) which are approved Border Inspection Posts for the United Kingdom.

Puppies and Kittens

Air Canada will transport puppies and kittens over 16 weeks of age and vaccinated for rabies.

Banned Breeds

Air Canada will not ship the following snub-nosed dog and cat breeds in the cargo hold:

Dogs: Affenpinscher, Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog - all breeds including the American, English, French and Dutch Bulldog, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug - all breeds including the Chinese Pug, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Teddy Bear (also known as Zuchon or Shichon) and Tibetan Spaniel.

Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese Cats, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan Cats, Persian Cats and Scottish Fold.

These dog breeds known to be strong or dangerous will be accepted in CR 82-compliant pet crates if they are older than 6 months of age. These crates must be made of metal, wood or synthetic material (not plastic) and completely reinforced.

Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog), Karabash (Kangal Dog, Anatolin Shepherd Dog), Pit-bull - all breeds including: American Pit-bull, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff), British Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Mastiff - all breeds including: American, Argentine (Dogo Argentino), Bandog (Bandogge), Brazilian (Fila Brasileiro), English, French (Dogue de Bordeaux), Italian (Cane Corso), Neapolitan, Presa Canario, Rottweiller and Wolf Dog Hybrids.

Other Animals

All warm blooded mammals and birds including show or exhibition animals. Air Canada Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive animals, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.

 

Need more information?

The information published here is a guideline for airline pet policies for Air Canada. Further detail on airline pet policies as well as pet passport information are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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