Air Canada Pet Policy: Flying with Dogs or Cats in 2026

Traveling with pets has become increasingly common, and the Air Canada pet policy provides clear guidelines for passengers flying with animals on domestic and international routes. The airline outlines specific rules designed to keep animals safe while ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.

Air Canada distinguishes between standard pets, emotional support animals, and trained service dogs, and each category follows different rules regarding carriers, fees, and documentation. 

This guide explains everything you need to know about flying with pets on Air Canada, including reservation procedures, in-cabin pet rules, cargo travel requirements, international restrictions, and service animal policies. With proper preparation, traveling with your pet can be straightforward and stress-free.

Booking a Flight with a Pet on Air Canada: Reservation and Check-In Rules

If you’re planning to travel with a pet, the first step is booking your own ticket. After that, you’ll need to contact Air Canada to add your pet to the reservation.

Keep in mind that space for pets is limited—both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. Availability is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so booking early is the best way to secure a spot.

Pets must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling. If there’s no space available for your pet on your selected flight, you may be eligible for a refund depending on when the pet was added.

At the airport, pets cannot be checked in online or at a kiosk. You’ll need to go to the counter so airline staff can inspect the carrier and review your documents. It’s a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than usual to allow time for this process.

Pets in the Cabin: Air Canada’s In-Flight Rules

Air Canada allows small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin, which is often the preferred option for pet owners who want to keep their animals close during the flight.

Your pet must stay inside an approved carrier placed under the seat in front of you for the entire journey. Only one pet is allowed per passenger, and the animal cannot be removed from the carrier at any time during boarding or the flight.

Eligible Pets for In-Cabin Travel

Only dogs and cats are permitted for in-cabin travel under the current Air Canada dog policy. These animals must be at least 10 weeks of age and fully weaned to ensure they are physically capable of handling the flight environment. 

The Air Canada pet policy requires that the combined weight of the pet and its carrier does not exceed 10 kg (22 lbs) for in-cabin acceptance.

Data confirms that this weight limit ensures the carrier fits safely beneath the aircraft seat during all phases of flight. Domestic flights within North America frequently utilize this service for small companion animals.

In-Cabin Pet Fees on Air Canada

The cost of traveling with a pet in the cabin depends on your route.

• Flights within Canada and the U.S. (excluding Hawaii): $50–$59 CAD per direction
• International flights: $100–$118 CAD per direction

These fees are non-refundable and can be paid during check-in or in advance through the Air Canada website. When planning your trip, it’s important to include these costs in your overall travel budget.

Carrier Size and Requirements for Cabin Pets

As of June 1, 2025, Air Canada requires that all pets traveling in the cabin must be transported in soft-sided carriers. This material choice enhances animal comfort by allowing for better airflow and slight expansion while remaining within the strict dimensional limits. Soft-sided carriers also provide the flexibility needed to fit under the varying seat dimensions across the Air Canada fleet. 

The technical specifications for in-cabin carriers include:

• Maximum dimensions must not exceed 10.5in (27cm) in height, 15.5in (40cm) in width, and 21.5in (55cm) in length.
• The carrier must be leak-proof to prevent any biological fluids from escaping into the cabin floor.
• Adequate ventilation must be provided on at least three sides to ensure constant air circulation for the animal.
• The carrier combined with the pet must not exceed the 22.4lbs (10kg) weight limit.

Passenger Rules for Traveling with Pets in the Cabin

The Air Canada pet policy establishes specific responsibilities for the passenger to ensure the safety of the animal and other travelers. These responsibilities include:

• Passengers traveling with in-cabin pets cannot sit in exit rows or bulkhead rows for safety reasons.
• The pet must remain in the carrier at all times and cannot be removed while on the same flight.
• Business class seats on certain aircraft may not accommodate pet carriers due to seat design and under-seat space.
• Air Canada forbids pets from occupying their own passenger seats or sitting on passengers’ laps during the journey.

Do Cabin Pets Need a Health Certificate?

If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. This document confirms your pet is healthy and fit to travel.

Requirements can vary by destination, so it’s important to check the latest regulations before your trip to avoid delays.

Pets Traveling as Checked Baggage: Cargo Rules

Air Canada’s baggage compartment policy provides a safe transport option for larger dogs and cats that exceed in-cabin limits. This compartment is pressurized and temperature-controlled to mimic the environment of the main passenger cabin.

Larger dogs travel in this area inside rigid, specialized containers that protect them from the movements of other cargo. Air Canada limits pets to the same flight as their owners whenever possible to ensure a timely reunion upon arrival at the destination.

Checked baggage compartment travel involves a rigorous security and health screening process at the airport. This process ensures that the animal is properly secured within a kennel that meets international safety standards. We must view this as a highly regulated logistics operation designed to minimize the physiological impact of travel on the animal.

The Air Canada policy ensures that these animals receive the same level of care as those traveling within the passenger cabin.

Which Pets Can Travel in the Cargo Compartment?

Air Canada AC Animals Program: Shipping Pets as Cargo

The AC Animals program manages the transport of animals that cannot travel in the cabin or as checked baggage. This specialized program handles unaccompanied pets, exotic species, and animals exceeding the weight limits for standard flights. Air Canada Cargo utilizes a dedicated network of climate-controlled facilities and vehicles to ensure animal safety throughout the shipping process.

This structure reflects a commitment to high-standard animal welfare for non-traditional travelers. Cargo transport allows for the shipping of various species on an Air Canada Express flight without the requirement of a traveling owner. The shipping process involves drop-off and pick-up at dedicated cargo terminals rather than the passenger airport counters. 

This separation ensures that the animals receive specialized attention from cargo handlers trained in live animal regulations. We must coordinate these shipments through the Air Canada Cargo Office to ensure all logistical and biological needs are met.

International Pet Travel on Air Canada

International flights involve complex layers of government regulations and health protocols that vary significantly by destination. The Air Canada pet policy requires passengers to research and comply with the laws of every country they enter or transit through. This global compliance ensures that the animal is not detained, quarantined, or deported upon arrival.^source

We must view international travel as a collaborative effort between the airline, the owner, and foreign agricultural authorities. Researching international regulations well in advance of departure is essential for a successful journey. Many countries require specific blood tests, such as a rabies titer test, which must be performed months before the travel date.

Failure to provide this evidence can result in significant legal and financial consequences for the pet owner. We provide this guidance to enlighten travelers on the clinical necessity of early preparation for international animal transit.

General Rules for International Pet Travel

Global animal transport follows strict biological safety standards to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. The following rules apply to most international routes:

Country-Specific Pet Travel Restrictions

Certain countries maintain extremely strict biosecurity laws that prohibit animal entry via passenger aircraft. The following restrictions apply to an Air Canada flight:

Destination Restrictions for Pet Travel

Seasonal weather patterns frequently cause temporary bans on animal transport to specific regions. The following US cities are often impacted by heat-related restrictions:

What Is an ESA Letter?

Air Canada Rules for Emotional Support Animals

The Air Canada policy regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) has transitioned to align with international aviation standards. Air Canada no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals, meaning they no longer receive free cabin access or exemptions from carrier rules.

This policy change reflects a shift toward distinguishing between animals used for comfort and those trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. ESAs must now travel as regular pets and adhere to the standard Air Canada dog policy and fee schedules.

Are Emotional Support Animals Considered Service Animals?

No, emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals on Air Canada flights. Service animals are specifically defined as dogs that have been individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals provide comfort through their presence but lack the rigorous task-based training required for service dog status.^source

This distinction is a clinical-legal standard used to maintain the safety and reliability of trained service dogs in public spaces.

Travel Rules for Emotional Support Animals on Air Canada

ESAs must follow all rules for in-cabin travel, including the requirement to remain in a soft-sided carrier for the duration of the flight. They are subject to the same pet fees and weight limits as any other companion animal traveling on an Air Canada flight.

If you have a documented functional disability, we recommend consulting a licensed mental health professional for a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) evaluation. A PSD is a trained service animal that may be eligible for different travel rights under the air canada pet policy.

Service Animals on Air Canada Flights

Only trained service dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin outside of a pet carrier on Air Canada flights. These animals are essential for individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, or intellectual disabilities and are trained to perform tasks such as guiding or alerting.

Air Canada requires passengers to provide at least 48 hours of advance notice when traveling with a service dog to ensure proper seating. This notice allows the airline to accommodate the handler and the dog in a space with adequate floor room.

Service animals fly free of charge and are not subject to the weight or carrier restrictions applicable to regular pets. The handler is responsible for ensuring the dog remains under control and harnessed at all times while in the airport and on the aircraft. Air Canada reservations staff may ask for documentation or verbal confirmation of the dog’s training and the tasks it performs.

We must ensure these animals are well-behaved to prevent denied boarding due to aggressive or disruptive behavior.

• Documentation: Handlers should carry the dog’s training certificate and any required health certificate for international routes.
• Behavior: Service dogs must remain on the floor at the handler’s feet and cannot occupy a passenger seat.
• Seating: Air Canada prioritizes bulkhead seating for service dog handlers to provide maximum space for the animal.

Flying with Pets on Air Canada

Compliance with the Air Canada pet policy ensures a safe and legally sound journey for both the owner and the animal companion. By following the 2026 guidelines, we maintain the integrity of the travel environment and the health of the animals involved. The direct impact was a reduction in travel-related stress through clear communication and technical preparation.

Travel Type	Fees (CAD)	Weight Limit	Carrier Type
In-Cabin (CA/US)	$50 – $59	10kg (22lbs)	Soft-sided Only
In-Cabin (Intl)	$100 – $118	10kg (22lbs)	Soft-sided Only
Baggage (CA/US)	$105 – $126	45kg (100lbs)	Hard-sided Only
Baggage (Intl)	$270 – $324	45kg (100lbs)	Hard-sided Only

Safe air travel requires a commitment to these clinical and regulatory standards. Verify all current requirements on the Air Canada website before your departure to ensure no recent changes affect your itinerary. This proactive approach guarantees that your animal remains a healthy and welcome participant in your travel experience.