Pixel and I have flown Air Canada twice. As of June 2025 they tightened the cabin rule: soft-sided carriers only, no exceptions. One cat or small dog per passenger, minimum 10 weeks old, in a 40 × 43 × 20 cm bag on most aircraft. There's a 24-hour-from-purchase window to register the pet, and you arrive 30 minutes early for the manual check-in.
Air Canada's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Air Canada treats your pet
Cabin policy
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not yet documented | — | |
| Pet + carrier max weight | 45 kg (incl. carrier) | 85% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not accepted in the cargo | 82% | |
| One-way fee | 60 | 89% |
Air Canada recommends the pet booking within 24 hours of completing the ticket purchase. Past that window the cabin slot is no longer guaranteed; the per-flight pet count fills early on most routes. Use the online registration form or Manage Trips. Online and kiosk check-in are not available — every pet-accompanied traveller must see an agent at the desk.
Soft-sided carriers are the only accepted format on Air Canada since June 1, 2025. Backpack carriers with hard plastic windows are denied at the gate, as are wheeled or rigid pet bags. The carrier must allow the pet to stand, turn, and lie down with no body part extending outside. Premium Economy, exit, and bulkhead rows are blocked from pet seating entirely.
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on Air Canada?
- Air Canada allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- What is the cabin weight limit on Air Canada?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 45 kg.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on Air Canada?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 24 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Air Canada pet-in-cabin fees run CA/US $50–60 within Canada and Canada/US one-way, and CA/US $100–120 on international segments. Quoted ranges include up to 18 percent tax depending on origin and destination. Fees are charged per segment and per pet carrier, not per pet. International long-haul cargo bookings price separately through Air Canada Cargo.
Air Canada's program is tightly run since the 2025 soft-sided rule. Your plan should answer three questions before booking: does the pet fit a 40 × 43 × 20 cm soft carrier, is the route domestic or international (fees differ), and is the destination on the CDC list. Once those land, check-in is the only remaining variable.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.