Can You Fly with Pets on Air Canada?

Yes. Air Canada allows both dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as cargo. However, there are strict rules about breed restrictions, carrier specifications, health documentation, and advance booking. This guide covers everything you need to know based on Air Canada's official policies.

Cabin Travel: Keeping Your Pet with You

If you want your pet in the cabin during the flight, Air Canada allows one dog or cat per passenger, provided they meet all requirements.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

  • Dimensions: Maximum 43 cm (length) × 40 cm (width) × 20 cm (height)
  • Weight: Pet + carrier combined must not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
  • Type: Soft-sided carriers only. Hard-sided carriers are not permitted in the cabin
  • Ventilation: Carrier must have adequate mesh ventilation on all sides
  • Absorbent liner: Place an absorbent mat or pad inside to manage accidents
  • Comfort: Your pet must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down inside

Important: Backpack carriers with hard plastic windows are not permitted. Your pet stays under the seat in front of you for the entire flight.

Cabin Restrictions

  • Pets cannot travel in Premium Economy cabins
  • Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned from cabin travel due to respiratory risks during flight
  • Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old
  • Pregnant animals are not accepted
  • Sedation is prohibited by IATA regulations and is dangerous during flight

Brachycephalic Breeds Banned from Cabin

Air Canada restricts the following breeds and breed types in the cabin:

  • Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds including English, French, American), Bull Terrier (all breeds), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
  • Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

If your pet is on this list, you may still be able to travel via checked baggage or cargo (though brachycephalic breeds are also restricted there). Contact Air Canada directly to discuss alternatives.

Checked Baggage Travel: Pet in the Hold

Larger pets or those not eligible for cabin travel can travel as checked baggage. Your pet travels in the aircraft's temperature-controlled hold.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

  • Weight: Pet + carrier combined must not exceed 45 kg (99 lbs)
  • Type: Hard-sided crate only. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted
  • Ventilation: Adequate ventilation required on all sides
  • Water bowl: Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate
  • Live Animal labels: IATA-compliant "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows must be affixed to the crate

Checked Baggage Restrictions

  • Brachycephalic breeds are banned from checked baggage
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Pregnant animals not accepted
  • Heat embargo: Flights are not available when the temperature exceeds 29.5°C (85°F) at departure or destination
  • Cold embargo: Flights are not available below -6.7°C (20°F). A vet acclimation certificate may allow travel in colder conditions
  • Embargoed routes: Pets cannot travel as checked baggage from Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL) to Mexico City (MEX)

Cargo Travel: Specialized Pet Transport

Air Canada Cargo offers dedicated pet transport with IATA CEIV Live Animals certification. This is the most specialized option for long-distance or international moves.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

  • Weight: Pet + crate combined must not exceed 45 kg (99 lbs)
  • Type: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate only
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations
  • Water bowl: Attached water bowl or trough
  • Absorbent liner: Required
  • Live Animal labels: Required with orientation arrows

Cargo Restrictions & Embargoes

  • Brachycephalic breeds banned
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Pregnant animals not accepted
  • Heat embargo: 29.5°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) without acclimation certificate
  • Embargoed routes: YYZ/YUL to MEX
  • Health certificate valid for 30 days (longer than cabin/checked baggage)
  • Advance booking: 24 hours minimum

Toronto Pet Stop: Air Canada operates a dedicated pet facility at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) with veterinary services and Vetster virtual vet care available.

Health Certificates & Documentation

A veterinary health certificate is required for all travel methods.

  • Cabin & checked baggage: Certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure
  • Cargo: Certificate valid for 30 days
  • What it covers: Your vet confirms your pet is healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations (especially rabies), and fit to fly
  • Timing: Get the certificate as close to your departure date as possible to avoid expiration

For international travel, check destination country requirements separately — some countries require additional permits or import licenses beyond the health certificate.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Phone booking only. You cannot book a pet online through Air Canada's website. You must call Air Canada directly to reserve space for your pet.

  • Advance booking required: Yes, for all travel methods
  • Cabin pets: Book as soon as possible (no specific minimum hours stated, but earlier is safer)
  • Cargo pets: Minimum 24 hours advance booking
  • Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet per passenger in the cabin

When you call, have your pet's details ready: breed, age, weight, and health certificate information.

Pet Travel Fees

  • Cabin travel: $55 CAD/USD one-way per pet
  • Checked baggage: $112.50 CAD/USD one-way per pet
  • Cargo: Pricing varies; contact Air Canada Cargo for a quote

These fees are in addition to your own ticket. If you're flying round-trip, multiply by two.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Cabin Carrier Max Length 43 cm
Cabin Carrier Max Width 40 cm
Cabin Carrier Max Height 20 cm
Cabin Pet + Carrier Weight Limit 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
Checked/Cargo Pet + Crate Weight Limit 45 kg (99 lbs)
Minimum Pet Age 10 weeks
Health Certificate Validity (Cabin/Checked) 10 days
Health Certificate Validity (Cargo) 30 days
Cabin Pet Fee (One-Way) $55 CAD/USD
Checked Baggage Pet Fee (One-Way) $112.50 CAD/USD
Heat Embargo Threshold 29.5°C (85°F)
Cold Embargo Threshold -6.7°C (20°F)
Cargo Advance Booking Minimum 24 hours

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

  • □ Check your pet's breed: Confirm it's not on the brachycephalic banned list. If it is, contact Air Canada to discuss alternatives
  • □ Verify your pet's age: Must be at least 10 weeks old
  • □ Schedule a vet appointment: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure (30 days for cargo)
  • □ Measure and weigh your pet: Ensure it meets weight and size limits for your chosen travel method
  • □ Buy or prepare a carrier: Soft-sided for cabin; hard-sided IATA-compliant crate for checked/cargo. Include absorbent liner
  • □ Add water bowl: Required for checked baggage and cargo (attached to crate, fillable from outside)
  • □ Affix Live Animal labels: For checked baggage and cargo only
  • □ Call Air Canada to book: Phone only — no online booking. Provide pet details and travel dates
  • □ Check temperature embargoes: Confirm your departure and destination temperatures don't exceed 29.5°C or fall below -6.7°C
  • □ Verify destination rules: Some countries require import permits or additional documentation beyond the health certificate
  • □ Arrive early: Allow extra time at the airport for pet check-in procedures

Important Safety Notes

Do not sedate your pet. IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. If your vet or the airline suggests sedation, get a second opinion.

Brachycephalic breeds face real risks. Snub-nosed breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persians have narrower airways and are more prone to respiratory distress during flight. Air Canada's ban on these breeds in cabin and checked baggage reflects genuine safety concerns. If your pet is brachycephalic, cargo travel with specialized handling may be an option — contact Air Canada directly.

Temperature matters. Checked baggage and cargo are temperature-controlled, but flights are cancelled if it's too hot or cold. Plan travel during mild seasons if possible, especially for sensitive breeds.

Special Circumstances

Pregnant animals: Air Canada does not accept visibly pregnant animals for any travel method due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact Air

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 09, 2026