What methods of transport does Air Canada provide for my pet?
- Travel in the passenger cabin (cats and small dogs only).
- Checked as baggage in pressurized and temperature controlled area of your aircraft.
- Shipped as cargo in pressurized and temperature controlled area.
Does my pet qualify for travel in the passenger cabin?
- The service is only available for flights operated by Air Canada and Jazz. Please note that some tickets not purchased on aircanada.com or with Air Canada Reservations may not be eligible for this service. Please also view important information if you're traveling on a codeshare flight.
- Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned.
- A customer may not travel with more than one pet in the cabin.
- You must pre-register your pet in advance with Air Canada Reservations. It's recommended that you do so within 24 hours of completing your booking.
- You must provide the dimensions of the carrier and the weight and breed of your pet at the time of your call to Air Canada Reservations.
- Maximum allowable carrier size (Hard-sided): 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in); Maximum allowable carrier size (Soft-sided): 27 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (10.5 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in)
- Air Canada asks that you arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight.
- Your pet must remain at all times in a pet carrier stowed under your seat.
- Pets are not allowed in the cabin on flights to and from Australia, Columbia (no cats; only small dogs allowed), Hawaii, Hong Kong, Jamaica, New Zealand, Peru, and the United Kingdom.
Does my pet qualify for travel as checked baggage?
Pets that meet the following qualifications can travel as checked baggage:
- Your pet can comfortably remain in its kennel for the entire flight.
- The kennel meets all requirements (see below for more information) and the combined weight of the animal and kennel does not exceed 70 lb/32 kg.
- Your pet has all necessary health documents required by your destination (see below for more information).
- There are heat and winter restrictions based on the season. Click here for more information.
Does my pet qualify to be shipped as cargo?
If your pet does not meet the requirements for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage, or you would like your pet to travel unaccompanied, contact Air Canada Cargo for more information.
What are the fees associated with pet transport?
For pets in the cabin, prices are $50 or $100 per direction, based on itinerary. For pets in the baggage compartment, it is $105 per direction.
What are the kennel requirements?
In addition to the size and weight maximums, the USDA and Air Canada require that kennels meet the following requirements:
- Be leak-proof and escape-proof.
- Be properly ventilated, but not allow any part of the animal from protruding outside of the container.
- Provide enough room for the animal to stand and turn around.
- Be made of metal, wood, or a hard plastic/composite.
- Contain absorbent material or litter.
- Have functional handles on the kennel's exterior to prevent tilting and any direct contact with the animals.
- Be closed securely, but not locked.
- Have labels with the words "Live Animal" in letters at least 1-inch tall on the crate's top and on at least one side.
- Have upright arrow labels indicating kennel's correct position.
What health documentation is required?
While Air Canada does not require a health certificate for your animal, some States and Countries do require health documents. As it is the passenger's responsibility to be aware of all regulations, you should consult your veterinarian and the Department of Agriculture to ensure that your animal will comply with all requirements.
Are there any other restrictions?
Air Canada can refuse to transport an animal due to illness, aggressive behavior, poor kenneling, or extreme temperatures at origin, transfer, or destination airports.
Please contact the airline directly for information about traveling with a service animal.
