Flying with Your Pet on Air North: What You Need to Know

I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I've learned that the difference between a smooth pet flight and a stressful one comes down to one thing: knowing the rules before you book. Air North (4N) does allow pets to travel, but there are specific requirements you need to follow. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do.

Can Your Pet Fly on Air North?

Yes—both dogs and cats are allowed on Air North flights. You have three travel options:

  • Cabin travel (pet travels with you in the cabin)
  • Checked baggage (pet travels in the hold with checked luggage)
  • Cargo (dedicated pet cargo service)

The option you choose depends on your pet's size, your budget, and your destination. I've used cabin travel with Cooper on shorter routes and cargo on longer international moves—each has trade-offs.

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option most pet owners prefer because your pet stays with you. However, there are strict size and weight limits.

Cabin Carrier Dimensions & Weight

Your pet's carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Here are the maximum dimensions:

  • Length: 43 cm (17 inches)
  • Width: 28 cm (11 inches)
  • Height: 22 cm (9 inches)
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 10 kg (22 lbs)

This is why Cooper couldn't fly cabin with me—at 28kg, he's well over the limit. If your dog or cat weighs more than 10kg total with the carrier, you'll need to use checked baggage or cargo instead.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be:

  • Soft-sided (collapsible carriers work best—they fit easier under seats)
  • Well-ventilated with mesh panels on multiple sides
  • Lined with absorbent material (puppy pads or washable liners) to manage accidents

Hard-sided carriers don't work for cabin travel because they won't fit under the seat. I learned this the hard way on my first move—invest in a quality soft-sided carrier that's IATA-compliant.

Cabin Travel Fee

$50 CAD per pet, one-way. This is a flat fee regardless of destination.

Breed Restrictions for Cabin Travel

Air North restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. Restricted breeds include:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Japanese Chin
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bull types (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully)
  • And others—check the full list here

If your breed is on this list, you may still be able to travel via checked baggage or cargo, but confirm directly with Air North first.

Cabin Travel: Age & Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old (must be fully weaned)
  • Health certificate: Required, issued by a vet within 10 days of departure
  • Sedation: NOT allowed under IATA regulations. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet.

Advance Booking for Cabin Travel

You must book your pet at least 24 hours in advance. Do not show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement—airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and you will be denied boarding. I always book pets when I purchase my ticket to avoid any issues.

Checked Baggage Travel

If your pet is too large for cabin travel (like Cooper), checked baggage is the next option. Your pet travels in the hold with your luggage, but in a proper pet carrier.

Checked Baggage Carrier Requirements

  • Hard-sided crate only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • IATA-compliant (meets international live animal transport standards)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Absorbent liner inside to manage accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate

When I shipped Cooper internationally, I invested in a quality IATA-approved crate. It's a one-time cost (around $150–300 CAD) but worth it for peace of mind and reusability.

Checked Baggage: Age & Health

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old (must be fully weaned)
  • Health certificate: Required, issued within 10 days of departure
  • Sedation: NOT allowed

Temperature Restrictions for Checked Baggage

Air North will not accept pets in checked baggage if:

  • Temperature is below –6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination (acclimation certificates from your vet may allow travel in colder conditions)
  • Temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

This is critical if you're traveling in winter or summer. I once had to reschedule Cooper's flight because the forecast showed 32°C at our destination. Check the weather before booking.

Advance Booking for Checked Baggage

Like cabin travel, you must pre-book your pet. Do not assume you can add your pet at check-in.

Cargo Travel

Cargo is a dedicated pet transport service, typically used for longer international moves or when checked baggage isn't available. The requirements are similar to checked baggage but with additional considerations.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate
  • Ventilation on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl
  • Absorbent liner
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows

Cargo: Age, Health & Temperature

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate: Required, within 10 days of departure
  • Temperature restrictions: Same as checked baggage (–6.7°C to 29.4°C)
  • Sedation: NOT allowed
  • Brachycephalic breeds: Restricted
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted

Cargo fees are not listed in Air North's public information—contact the airline directly for pricing.

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable: you must have a vet-issued health certificate for any pet traveling on Air North, regardless of travel mode.

Health Certificate Checklist

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian
  • Issued within 10 days of your departure date (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination country's requirements)
  • Includes your pet's microchip number (if applicable)
  • Confirms your pet is fit to fly
  • Includes vaccination records (especially rabies, if traveling internationally)

Get this as close to your departure date as possible. I schedule my vet appointment 5–7 days before travel to ensure the certificate is valid and fresh. Don't risk being denied boarding at the airport.

For international travel, you may also need import permits for your destination country. Check United States, Canada, or your specific destination's pet import rules before booking.

Special Cases: Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

Air North does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking—they may refuse travel regardless of how far along your pet is.

Animals in heat: we're still verifying Air North's specific policy—contact them directly to confirm.

Service Dogs

We're still verifying Air North's service dog policy, including whether they're exempt from carrier requirements and fees. Contact Air North directly if you're traveling with a certified service dog.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee: $50 CAD per pet, one-way
  • Cabin weight limit: 10 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 43 cm L × 28 cm W × 22 cm H
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Advance booking required: At least 24 hours (for cabin)
  • Temperature range (checked/cargo): –6.7°C to 29.4°C
  • Sedation: Not allowed

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

4–6 weeks before travel:

  • Confirm your pet's breed isn't restricted (especially if brachycephalic)
  • Measure your pet and weigh them with a carrier to confirm they meet cabin limits (if cabin travel is your preference)
  • If your pet exceeds 10 kg with a carrier, plan for checked baggage or cargo instead
  • Research your destination country's pet import requirements

2–3 weeks before travel:

  • Book your flight and pre-book your pet with Air North (call or email—don't assume online booking includes pets)
  • If using checked baggage or cargo, purchase or confirm you have an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate
  • If using cabin, ensure your soft-sided carrier meets dimensions (43 × 28 × 22 cm)

1–2 weeks before travel:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate (aim for 5–7 days before departure)
  • Confirm the vet will include all required information (microchip, vaccinations, fitness to fly)
  • Check weather forecasts for your origin and destination—if temperatures are outside –6.7°C to 29.4°C, you may need to reschedule

5–7 days before travel:

  • Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate
  • Make copies of the certificate (keep one, bring one to the airport)
  • Prepare your pet's carrier with absorbent liners and familiar items (blanket, toy)
  • If using checked baggage or cargo, ensure your crate has "Live Animals" labels and an attached water bowl

Day of travel:

  • Arrive at the airport early (at least 3 hours for international flights)
  • Bring your pet's health certificate and any import permits
  • Confirm your pet's booking at check-in
  • Do not sedate your pet under any circumstances

Common Questions

Can I sedate my pet for the flight? No. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide.

What if my pet is too large for cabin travel? Use checked baggage or cargo. Both require hard-sided IATA-compliant crates and have the same health certificate requirements.

Do I need an import permit? Depends on your destination. Check your destination country's pet import rules—some require permits, microchipping, or specific vaccinations.

What if the temperature is too hot or cold? Air North will refuse to transport your pet if tarmac temperatures are below –6.7°C or above 29.4°C. You may need to reschedule or obtain an acclimation certificate from your vet (which may allow travel in colder conditions).

Can I fly with two pets? Most airlines allow one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin. For checked baggage or cargo, contact Air North directly about multiple pets.

Need Help Planning Your Pet's Journey?

Flying with a pet requires coordination, but it's absolutely doable when you know the rules. I've done it three times with Cooper, and each move got smoother because I planned ahead.

For more detailed guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist, pet travel costs guide, and flying with a dog guide.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026