Can You Fly with Pets on Porter Airlines?

Yes, Porter Airlines allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with you. Your pet must remain in an approved carrier throughout the flight and meet specific size, age, and health requirements. Porter also permits checked baggage and cargo pet travel, though cabin travel is the most common option for smaller pets.

This guide covers everything you need to know about flying with your furry companion on Porter Airlines, including carrier specifications, booking procedures, health documentation, and breed restrictions.

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

Cabin travel is the best option if your pet is small enough. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must meet these exact dimensions:

  • Maximum length: 40 cm (15.7 inches)
  • Maximum width: 23 cm (9 inches)
  • Maximum height: 23 cm (9 inches)
  • Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 10 kg (22 lbs)

Carrier type: Soft-sided carriers are preferred for cabin travel because they compress slightly to fit under the seat. Hard-sided carriers may not fit in the under-seat space.

Ventilation: Your carrier must have adequate ventilation, typically mesh panels on the sides, so your pet can breathe comfortably throughout the flight.

Interior setup: Line the carrier with an absorbent mat or pad to manage any accidents during the flight. This protects both your pet's comfort and the carrier itself.

Pet Eligibility for Cabin Travel

Age requirement: Your pet must be at least 16 weeks old to fly in the cabin.

Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are banned from cabin travel due to respiratory risks during flight. This includes:

  • Bulldogs (English and French)
  • Persian cats
  • Other snub-nosed breeds with similar respiratory characteristics

If you're unsure whether your breed is affected, contact Porter Airlines before booking.

Health restrictions: Visibly pregnant animals are not permitted to fly. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before attempting to book.

One Pet Per Passenger

You can bring a maximum of one pet per passenger in the cabin. If you're traveling with two pets, you'll need two passengers, or you'll need to use checked baggage or cargo for the second pet.

Checked Baggage & Cargo Travel

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer not to keep them with you, Porter Airlines allows checked baggage and cargo pet transport. These options have different requirements than cabin travel.

Checked baggage: Your pet travels in the aircraft hold but is handled as checked baggage rather than cargo.

Cargo: Your pet is transported as cargo with specialized handling and climate control.

Both options require hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates with specific features:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows displayed prominently
  • An absorbent liner inside to manage accidents

Age requirement for checked/cargo: Minimum 10 weeks old (younger than cabin requirement).

Temperature embargoes: Your pet cannot fly if temperatures exceed these thresholds:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination

If you need to travel in extreme temperatures, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate, which may allow travel in colder conditions.

Health Documentation & Requirements

Health certificate required: You must obtain a veterinary health certificate for your pet, regardless of whether you're flying in cabin, checked baggage, or cargo.

Validity period: The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your flight departure date. Get it as close to your travel date as possible to avoid any issues at check-in.

What to do: Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian at least 2 weeks before your flight. The vet will examine your pet and issue the official health certificate. This is not the same as a vaccination record—it's a specific travel document.

Even if Porter Airlines doesn't explicitly ask for it at booking, you will be required to present it at the airport. Don't risk being denied boarding.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance booking required: You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement.

How to book: Pet bookings must be made by phone only. You cannot add a pet to your reservation online. Call Porter Airlines directly to arrange your pet's travel and confirm availability.

Cabin pet fee: $50 CAD per pet, one way. If you're flying round-trip, you'll pay $50 each direction.

Checked baggage and cargo fees: We're still verifying specific pricing for these options—contact Porter Airlines directly for quotes.

Important Restrictions & Rules

No sedation: Do not sedate your pet before flying. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies universally across all commercial airlines. Only sedate your pet if explicitly instructed by both your veterinarian and the airline.

Carrier requirement throughout flight: Your pet must remain in the carrier for the entire flight. They cannot be removed during the flight, even briefly.

Terminal lounge access: Pets are not permitted in Porter Airlines terminal lounge areas, even if you have lounge access.

Climate control: The cabin maintains a temperature-controlled environment suitable for pets during flight.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 40 cm × 23 cm × 23 cm max
  • Cabin carrier weight limit: 10 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum age (cabin): 16 weeks
  • Minimum age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before flight
  • Advance booking required: 24 hours minimum
  • Cabin pet fee: $50 CAD one way
  • Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

  • 4 weeks before travel: Confirm your pet meets all age and health requirements. Check if your breed is brachycephalic and restricted.
  • 3 weeks before travel: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Discuss any concerns about flight stress or special needs.
  • 2 weeks before travel: Purchase or confirm you have an appropriate carrier that meets Porter's dimensions and weight limits. Test your pet in the carrier to ensure comfort.
  • 1 week before travel: Obtain your health certificate from your vet (must be within 10 days of departure).
  • 48 hours before travel: Call Porter Airlines to book your pet by phone. Confirm the booking, fee, and any special requirements.
  • 24 hours before travel: Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, medications, comfort items, and waste supplies. Prepare the carrier with an absorbent liner.
  • At the airport: Arrive early. Have your health certificate ready. Keep your pet calm and secure in the carrier throughout check-in and boarding.

Breed-Specific Guidance

If you have a brachycephalic breed like a Bulldog or Persian cat, cabin travel is not permitted. You have two options:

  • Use checked baggage or cargo transport instead (if your pet meets age and health requirements)
  • Fly on a different airline that permits your breed in the cabin

Discuss your options with Porter Airlines when you call to book. They can advise whether checked baggage or cargo is available for your route and pet.

Traveling to Other Countries

If you're flying to an international destination, your pet may need additional documentation beyond Porter's requirements. Different countries have their own import rules, quarantine periods, and vaccination requirements. Research your destination country's pet import rules well in advance.

For example, traveling to the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia each have different requirements. Start your research at least 8 weeks before travel.

Questions? Contact Porter Airlines

For questions not covered here, contact Porter Airlines directly:

  • Pet booking: Call to book your pet by phone (required for all cabin pets)
  • Checked baggage/cargo: Inquire about availability, pricing, and specific requirements for your route
  • Breed restrictions: Confirm whether your specific breed is permitted
  • Special needs: Discuss any health concerns or special accommodations your pet may need

Porter Airlines staff can provide the most current information and help you plan a safe, comfortable journey for your pet.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet travel documents and requirements in one place.

Data last verified: April 10, 2026. This guide is based on official Porter Airlines policies and industry standards. Pet travel rules change periodically—always confirm current requirements directly with the airline before booking.

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