
When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any airline. Does Air Canada allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air Canada? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air Canada? All your answers related to Air Canada pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Air Canada based?
Air Canada is based out of Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (IATA: YUL) in Montreal, Canada. Most layovers within Air Canada’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Air Canada fly to?
Air Canada offers service to pets to the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia (cargo_, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile. Colombia, Chia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Haiti Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, S. Korea, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
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.
Air Canada Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Canada’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown on Air Canada in the cabin
Small dogs and cats. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Pets are not permitted in Premium Economy seats.
Reservations
Within 24 hours of making an adult passenger’s reservation, contact Air Canada Reservations to make a reservation for your pet.
Age requirements
Minimum age: 10 weeks and weaned.
Pet carrier requirements
All carriers must be soft-sided. Maximum carrier depends on the type of aircraft serving the route. The pet carrier counts as a carry-on item. Maximum carrier size soft sided: 10.5″H x 15.5″W x 21.5″L (27cm x 40cm x 55cm)
One pet per carrier. One carrier per passenger.
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic US) or four sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
- Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Health certificates are recommended for domestic flight and required for international flight. All documents required for the destination country must be presented at check in.
Route restrictions
Pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to or from Hawaii or the United Kingdom. Air Canada will fly pets out of the UK and Hawaii in the cabin. Air Canada will not transport pets in the cabin to the following destinations: Australia, Barbados, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand and South Africa.
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.
Check in
Pet owners are encouraged to check in 3 1/2 hours prior to departure.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
Domestic Canada/US: $50 CAD | $59 USD
International: $100 CAD | $118 USD
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.
One service dog is permitted per disabled passenger unless the flight involves the United States. In this case, two service dogs are permitted. If there is not adequate room for the service dog(s), then an additional seat can be purchased.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. For other flights, an Air Canada Service Animal Form must be submitted. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
Air Canada Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Air Canada if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets allowed on Air Canada
Dogs and cats. Maximum number of pets per passenger is two.
Reservations
Within 24 hours of making an adult passenger’s reservation, contact Air Canada Reservations to make a reservation for your pet.
Age requirements
Minimum age: 10 weeks and weaned. Two puppies or kittens between 12 weeks and 6 months of age can fly in the same carrier if they are of the same species and known to each other.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum linear dimensions (L+W+H): 115″ (292 cm)
Maximum weight of pet + carrier: 100 lbs. (45 kg)
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets are not permitted as checked baggage on flights to Hawaii or the United Kingdom. Air Canada will fly pets
out of the UK and Hawaii as checked baggage. Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage to Australia, Barbados, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pets are not allowed on Boeing 737 (Max 8) aircraft.
Forms Required
Health certificate is recommended for domestic flights and required for international flights. All documents required for the destination country must be presented at check in.
Check in
Pet owners are encouraged to check in 3 1/2 hours prior to departure.
Cost
Domestic Canada/US: $105 CAD | $120.75 USD
International: $270 CAD | 316.60 USD

Air Canada Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Air Canada requires that an agent belonging to the International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA) books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets allowed on Air Canada Cargo
Dogs, cats, horses, primates, birds, mammals and other animals are permitted. Air Canada Cargo will not transport dangerous or offensive animals, non-human primates for experiments, threatened species, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.
Reservations
Reservations should be made within 14 days of departure.
Age requirements
Minimum age: 16 weeks, weaned and vaccinated.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Air Canada has a pet facility in Toronto International Airport for comfort stops and overnight kenneling.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Air Canada cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
Payment will depend on your pet’s size, size of crate and route. Payment is made at check in. Your IPATA agent can provide the cost for transporting your pet.

Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Delta requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Your pet should be acclimated to its pet crate. This can take weeks to months to accomplish, but it is the most important thing you can do to prepare your pet for travel.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Additionally, the following countries are restricted for all cargo travel during these periods:
- March 1- October 31: India
- April 1 – November 20: Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos
- April 1 – October 31: Egypt
- May 1 – September 30: Dominican Republic
- May 1 – October 31: Bahamas from Cuba
- May 1 – November 30: Puerto Rico, United States from Hawaii
- May 13 – October 31: Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Nashville (BNA), Orlando (MCO), Palm Springs (PSP), Phoenix (PHX), Sarasota (SRQ), Tampa Bay (TPA), West Palm (PBI)
- June 1 – September 30: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea
- July 1 – August 31: Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico
- July 1 – September 30: Bermuda, Morocco
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets. Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Air Canada
The following breeds will not be permitted in Air Canada cargo holds:
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, Rottweiler
and Wolf Dog Hybrids.

Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Air Canada airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.

Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Air Canada pet policy.