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Flying with Your Pet on Air Canada: Complete Policy Guide
I've been a veterinarian for over a decade, and I've seen countless pet travel plans derailed by a single missing document or an overlooked airline rule. When I travel with my own Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pixel (7kg), I follow Air Canada's requirements to the letter—and I'm here to help you do the same.
Air Canada accepts both dogs and cats in cabin, checked baggage, and cargo. But the rules differ significantly depending on how your pet travels. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin pet fee (domestic): CAD $50 | International: CAD $100
- Checked baggage fee (domestic): CAD $105 | International: CAD $270
- Cabin carrier max dimensions: 55cm L × 40cm W × 27cm H
- Cabin weight limit: 10kg (pet + carrier combined)
- Checked baggage weight limit: 45kg (pet + carrier combined)
- Minimum age for cabin travel: 10 weeks
- Minimum age for cargo: 16 weeks
- Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
- Advance booking required: 24 hours minimum (cabin); pre-book all cargo pets
- Temperature embargo (cargo/checked): Below 7.2°C or above 29.4°C
Cabin Travel: The Most Pet-Friendly Option
Cabin travel keeps your pet with you in the main cabin. This is what I recommend for Pixel whenever possible—it's less stressful for the animal and gives you peace of mind.
Who Can Fly in Cabin?
- Dogs and cats only
- Minimum age: 10 weeks
- Maximum 1 pet per passenger
- Not permitted in Premium Economy on Boeing 787-8/9 or Airbus A330-300 aircraft
- NOT allowed on routes to: Hawaii (HNL), United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ireland, Barbados, Jamaica, South Africa
Carrier Requirements for Cabin
The most common mistake I see is buying a carrier that's technically the right size but doesn't meet Air Canada's specific material requirements.
- Dimensions: Maximum 55cm (L) × 40cm (W) × 27cm (H)
- Type: Soft-sided carriers only (hard-sided not permitted)
- Weight limit: 10kg total (pet + carrier combined)
- Ventilation: Mesh sides required for adequate airflow
- Absorbent liner: Required inside carrier to manage accidents
- Water bowl: Not required for cabin (your pet will be with you)
Here's what I tell my clients: measure your carrier before you buy it. Many "airline-approved" carriers sold online are actually 2–3cm too large. Bring a tape measure to the pet store.
Cabin Booking & Fees
- Domestic Canada: CAD $50 one-way
- International: CAD $100 one-way
- Booking method: Phone only (not online)
- Advance notice: Minimum 24 hours before departure
Checked Baggage Travel: A Middle Ground
Your pet travels in the cargo hold but is treated as checked baggage rather than cargo. This is suitable for larger dogs that don't fit cabin dimensions.
Eligibility
- Dogs and cats only
- Minimum age: 10 weeks
- Maximum 2 pets per passenger
- Weight limit: 45kg (pet + carrier combined)
- Not on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft
Carrier Specifications
- Type: Hard-sided or soft-sided crates accepted
- Max length: 292cm (measured for baggage dimensions)
- Ventilation: Required on all sides
- Water bowl: Attached, fillable from outside the crate (required)
- Absorbent liner: Required inside
- Live Animal labels: Required on crate with orientation arrows
- IATA compliance: Recommended (verify with Air Canada)
Checked Baggage Fees
- Domestic Canada: CAD $105 one-way
- International: CAD $270 one-way
- Advance booking: Required (pre-book before arrival)
Cargo Travel: For Longer Distances & Larger Pets
Cargo is the option for pets that exceed checked baggage limits or when you need dedicated pet transport services. Booking is phone-only and requires advance planning.
Eligibility
- Dogs and cats only
- Minimum age: 16 weeks (older than cabin/checked)
- Dangerous breeds (Pit Bull, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Wolf hybrids) accepted only in CR82-compliant crates, minimum 6 months old
- Pre-booking required; no walk-up cargo pets
Cargo Carrier Requirements
- Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates only
- Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (IATA LAR standard)
- Water bowl: Attached, fillable from outside (required)
- Absorbent liner: Required
- Live Animal labels: Required with orientation arrows
- IATA compliance: Mandatory
Temperature Restrictions
This is critical: Air Canada will not accept pets in cargo if temperatures fall outside safe ranges.
- Cold embargo: Below 7.2°C (45°F)
- Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
- Seasonal embargoes apply: India (Mar–Oct), Caribbean (May–Nov), Southern US (May–Oct), Asia/Mediterranean (Jun–Sep)
- Acclimation certificate: A vet can issue this to allow travel in colder conditions; ask your veterinarian
Cargo Health Certificate
Cargo requires a longer validity window than cabin travel.
- Validity: 30 days before departure (more generous than cabin's 10 days)
- Issued by: Licensed veterinarian
Cargo Booking
- Method: Phone only
- Fees: We're still verifying exact cargo rates—contact Air Canada directly
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds: Restricted
Air Canada restricts many flat-faced breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This is an industry-wide standard, not unique to Air Canada.
Restricted Breeds Include:
- Affenpinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bulldog (all types: English, French, American)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (yes, my Pixel is on this list)
- Chow Chow
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Pekingese
- Pug (all types)
- Shar-Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- American Bully (all breeds)
- Mastiff (all types)
- Cane Corso
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Presa Canario
Important: If your breed is on this list, contact Air Canada directly before booking. Some airlines make breed-specific exceptions; others do not. Don't assume you're automatically banned—verify first. Read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.
Health Certificates & Documentation
This is non-negotiable. I reject paperwork at my clinic every week because owners didn't get the certificate early enough or didn't use the correct form.
What You Need
- Health certificate: Issued by a licensed veterinarian
- Cabin/checked baggage validity: 10 days before departure
- Cargo validity: 30 days before departure
- Timing tip: Get it as close to your departure date as possible. Don't get it 9 days early if you're leaving in 10 days—get it 2–3 days before.
- Vaccinations: Ensure rabies and other required vaccines are current (varies by destination)
Service Animals (Assistance Dogs)
Service animals have a completely separate policy.
- In-cabin: At no charge
- Limit: 1 per disabled passenger (2 on US flights)
- Documentation: DOT forms for US routes; Air Canada Service Animal Form for others
- Submission deadline: 48 hours before departure
- Pre-approval: Required
What NOT to Do: Sedation & Other Mistakes
- Do not sedate your pet. IATA 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.
- Do not book without advance notice. Air Canada limits pets per flight. Show up without pre-booking and you will be denied.
- Do not assume your pregnant pet can travel. Most airlines reject visibly pregnant animals. Confirm directly with Air Canada.
- Do not travel with a pet in heat without asking first. We're still verifying Air Canada's specific policy on this—contact them directly.
What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist
4–6 weeks before departure:
- Confirm your pet's breed is not restricted (especially if brachycephalic)
- Check if your destination has import restrictions
- Book your pet's spot by phone (not online)
- Measure and purchase an airline-compliant carrier
2 weeks before departure:
- Schedule a vet appointment for health certificate
- Verify vaccination status and any destination-specific requirements
10 days before departure (cabin/checked) or 30 days (cargo):
- Get health certificate issued by your vet
- Confirm certificate is signed and dated correctly
3–5 days before departure:
- Prepare carrier: add absorbent liner, ensure ventilation is clear
- For checked/cargo: attach water bowl and Live Animal labels
- Pack pet's food, medications, and comfort items
- Confirm your flight hasn't changed aircraft type (relevant for Premium Economy restrictions)
Day of departure:
- Check in 3.5 hours before departure (Air Canada requirement)
- Have health certificate and booking confirmation ready
- For cabin: keep pet in carrier during boarding and flight
Seasonal & Route Restrictions
Air Canada enforces seasonal temperature embargoes on certain routes:
- India: March–October (heat embargo)
- Caribbean: May–November (heat embargo)
- Southern United States: May–October (heat embargo)
- Asia & Mediterranean: June–September (heat embargo)
Cabin pets cannot fly to Hawaii, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ireland, Barbados, Jamaica, or South Africa.
Costs at a Glance
| Travel Type | Domestic Canada | International |
| Cabin | CAD $50 |
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026
Cabin Pet PolicyAir Canada accepts pets in cabin. The one-way fee is 50, your pet and carrier must weigh under 10 kg combined, pets must be at least 10 weeks old, brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are not allowed, advance booking is required. AllowedYes Brachycephalic breeds bannedYes Min age (weeks)10 Health certificate requiredYes Health cert validity (days)10 Advance booking requiredYes Booking methodphone_only Fee (one-way)50 Sedation allowedNo Max carrier length (cm)55 Max carrier width (cm)40 Max carrier height (cm)27 Max combined weight (kg)10 Soft-sided carrierYes Hard-sided carrierNo
Cargo Pet PolicyAir Canada accepts pets in cargo. Pets must be at least 16 weeks old, brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are not allowed, advance booking is required. AllowedYes Brachycephalic breeds bannedYes Min age (weeks)16 Health certificate requiredYes Health cert validity (days)10 Advance booking requiredYes Booking methodphone_only Fee (one-way)Unknown Sedation allowedNo Max carrier length (cm)Unknown Max carrier width (cm)Unknown Max carrier height (cm)Unknown Max combined weight (kg)Unknown Soft-sided carrierNo Hard-sided carrierYes
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I bring my dog in the cabin on Air Canada? Does Air Canada allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds? What are the pet carrier size limits for Air Canada? How much does it cost to fly with a pet on Air Canada? Does Air Canada require a health certificate for pets? Can I ship my dog as cargo on Air Canada? |