Travelling with your Pet

You’re welcome to bring your cat or small dog in the cabin with you provided it is small enough to stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you.

Just make sure to let us know in advance, as space is sometimes limited. See the ‘What else do I need to know’ section (at right) for details.

And a reminder that your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:

• Are an unaccompanied minor
• Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
• Require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat
• Are travelling in our Premium Economy cabin, as the layout of Premium Economy seats does not allow for the safe stowage of a pet carrier.

Charges

Within Canada and Canada/U.S. ¹
$50.00 CAD/USD

International ¹
$100.00 CAD/USD

¹ Flights to/from Hawaii: Pets are not accepted in the cabin or the baggage compartment. Please contact Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals) for rates and assistance in shipping your pet to Hawaii.↩
¹ See ‘Government Regulations’ for restrictions regarding certain international destinations.↩

Your pet and their carrier

• The carrier will count as the one standard carry-on item which you are allowed to bring on board.
• Your pet must always remain in its closed carrier under the seat in front of you.
• Your pet’s carrier must be big enough to allow them to stand up, turn around and lie down safely and comfortably, with no part of them extending outside the carrier. Your pet could be refused travel if the carrier is deemed to be too small for them.

Maximum carrier size

Hard-sided ²
Height: 23 cm (9 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)

Soft-sided ²
Height: 27 cm (10.5 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)

¹ Pet carriers which exceed the maximum allowable size can be transported in the checked baggage compartment, provided they weigh no more than 45 kg (100 lb), or measure more than 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height). Contact Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals) for rates and assistance in shipping larger pet carriers.↩

² Please review exceptions below.↩

For certain aircraft and cabin types, there are exceptions to the general size or type of pet carrier you can bring on board.

Have a look at the chart below to ensure that your pet’s carrier meets the requirements for your flight:

* Pet carriers must be soft sided

For more information on our aircraft and seat maps, visit Our Fleet.

Other Restrictions

• Only one cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger.
• Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned
• You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. When travelling with a pet, it is not possible to check in online or at an airport self-service kiosk.

If your pet is travelling in the cabin with you, pet restraint devices (e.g. pet strollers and car seats) are accepted as checked baggage only (all checked baggage rules apply).

This is because you are allowed one standard carry-on item and your pet in its carrier already counts as that one item.

Due to longer than usual airport delays, and for the safety and comfort of your pet, we will not be accepting new requests for pets travelling in the baggage compartment until September 12, 2022.

If you are booking a flight and wish to travel with a pet that cannot be in the cabin with you, please refer to the Air Canada Cargo tab at right for options.

Your pet can't fly in the cabin with you? It can still travel safely and comfortably on the same flight as you, in the pressurized cargo compartment of most of our aircraft.

On which flights can I travel with my cat or dog?

Your cat or dog can travel with you if you're travelling on:

• A flight operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge
• An Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz.

Codeshare Flights and Flights with Other Airlines

If your itinerary includes a flight that is marketed by Air Canada but operated by one of our codeshare partners, you will not be able to travel with your pet.

For the specific terms and conditions of any or our codeshare partners or other airlines sold on aircanada.com, visit the operating carrier's website directly.

Are there weight and size restrictions? And what will it cost?

1 Please contact Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals) for rates and assistance in shipping kennels that exceed 45 kg (100 lb) in weight, or 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height).
2 Fees are inclusive of the minimum (0%) to maximum (18%) tax which may apply, based on your itinerary.
3 See restrictions regarding certain international destinations.

What restrictions apply to travelling with a cat or dog in the baggage compartment?

Click on the links below to learn about very important rules and restrictions that apply to travelling with your pet in the baggage compartment.

• Only fully weaned puppies or kittens from 12 weeks to 6 months can be placed together in the same kennel;
• Both animals must be of the same specie (no cat and dog mixed together)
• Two pets travelling in one kennel are counted as two pets regardless of combined weight.

You'll need to contact Air Canada Cargo Opens in New Window (AC Animals) no more than 14 days or less than 7 days prior to your anticipated travel date if you’re travelling with more than two pets.

Because not all our aircraft are equipped with temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments, it may not always be possible to accommodate your pet when summer temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F).

During these periods of high heat, we recommend that you travel early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower and, whenever possible, that you choose a direct or non-stop flight to limit the time your pet will be spending in the baggage compartment. We offer priority handling upon departure, where pets remain with our airside personnel to be loaded last and offloaded first upon arrival.

Pets are not permitted to travel in the baggage compartment between the following dates and for these destinations.

Pets may not travel in the baggage compartment of all or some of our aircraft on the dates and for the reasons listed below. Please note also that temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments are available only on certain aircraft.

Cold weather restrictions

November 1 to March 31 and at any other time when temperature is 0 °C (32 °F) or below

Cats and dogs weighing less than 4.5 kg (10 lb) are not accepted in the baggage compartment of any of our aircraft.

Pets are not accepted on the following flights and aircraft:

It is not recommended to transport animals as checked baggage on our Airbus A319-100, A320-200 and A321-200 aircraft: the cargo compartment is not heated and temperatures can be as low as 2 °C (36 °F).

November 1 to March 31

Cats and dogs are not accepted in the baggage compartment of our Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) aircraft due to minimal heating in the cargo hold.

Peak winter travel restrictions

December 18 to January 4

Due to increased passenger and cargo loads during the peak winter travel period, no pets are accepted as checked baggage or cargo.

September 14 to January 14

Due to increased passenger loads during the peak winter travel period, no pets are accepted as checked baggage on:

• Air Canada flights AC1980 and AC1982between Toronto and Mexico City
• Air Canada Rouge flight AC1988 between Montreal and Mexico City

Pets can be accommodated by Air Canada Cargo during the winter months on certain aircraft. Find out more about the transport of pets in the cargo hold during winter Opens in New Window .

Due to limits on the number of checked bags customers can check between specific airports, pets may not travel in the baggage compartment between the following dates.

September 14 - January 14

ONLY to/from:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

• It’s important to always remove your pet’s leash before placing it in its carrier.
• The carrier can contain a maximum of 2 dogs (each weighing no more than 14 kg/31 lb) who are used to cohabitation. Note that the applicable fee will be charged twice.
• Locking pins must engage the container beyond the extrusions by at least 1.6 cm (5’8 inches).
• If the carrier is equipped with wheels, these must be removed prior to check-in.
• To be accepted for travel in the checked baggage compartment, the pet carrier must be:
  • Hard-sided. The container top must not be covered with mesh. However, ventilation holes are allowed in the lid.
    • Collapsible carriers are not accepted, nor are wire carriers as no part of your pet may extend outside the carrier.
    • If the pet carrier is not large enough for your pet to do this, we must refuse transport.
    Short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds

    These short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to extreme heat or stressful situations.

    Dog breeds classified as strong

    Certain dog breeds are classified as strong dogs and must be transported in a special reinforced container or crate when travelling in the baggage compartment.

    About the container or crate:

    The container must be constructed of weld or wire mesh, metal, wood or a synthetic material other than plastic. The crate door must be made of wire mesh, metal or wood and should have a secure lock that can’t be opened accidentally.

    We reserve the right to refuse any animal that exhibits aggressive behavior and/or cage destruction.

    Pets travelling via Air Canada Cargo

    When your pet has to travel alone, for a variety of animals, including cats and dogs.

    Air Canada Cargo ships a wide variety of animals, from cats and dogs to hatching eggs, insects and tropical fish. You can be sure that your pet will travel safely and comfortably to its destination.

    Please contact Air Canada Cargo for complete details on their AC Animals service Opens in New Window .

    When travelling with your pet, it's crucial to have all the necessary documents in order.

    Upon landing in any country or region, government veterinary officials may inspect your pet. Keep in mind that there might be veterinary inspection fees.

    While local veterinary health certificates obtained from animal clinics are essential, they may not be sufficient to clear government inspections. To ensure a smooth journey, obtain any additional documents, such as government-approved health certificates, by contacting the consulate or embassy of your destination country or region.

    Moreover, Air Canada adheres to animal entry and exit requirements outlined in the IATA Travel Information Manual. We recommend visiting the IATA Travel Centre website for comprehensive details about pet requirements.

    Are you bringing a dog to the U.S.?

    Effective August 1, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new entry requirements for dogs entering the U.S. Visit the CDC website for more information.

    Are you looking for information about travelling with a service or emotional support dog?

    Do I need to register my pet?

    Cats or dogs in the cabin or in the baggage compartment

    You'll need to let us know in advance of travel if you plan on travelling with your cat or dog in the cabin or in the baggage compartment.

    The first thing you'll need to do is book your own flight*. Once that's done, contact Air Canada Reservations to register** your pet for travel on the same flight as yours.

    At the time of your call, you'll be asked to provide:

    • the dimensions of the carrier and
    • the weight and breed of your pet.

    We strongly recommend that you register** your pet within 24 hours of completing your booking. This will ensure that, if your pet cannot be accommodated on the flight(s) and date(s) you selected, your ticket will be refunded without charge. After 24 hours, any changes to your booking will be subject to applicable change and cancellation fees.

    Please take note that you'll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. Customers with pets cannot use Web check-in or airport self-service kiosks.

    * Please also view important information below about travelling on Codeshare flights/Flights with other airlines (in the 'What else do I need to know' section at the bottom of the page).
    ** Pets that have not been registered in advance will not be accepted at the airport.