Emma
· with Luna (Tabby cat, 4kg)
“I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.”
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About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Emma is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Air Canada allows dogs and cats in the cabin and in cargo. A health certificate is required, valid for 10 days.
Build my pet’s travel plan → How Air Canada handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedTab navigation button - left Tab navigation button - right Your cat or small dog is welcome to join you in the cabin, as long as they’re kept in a flexible, soft sided carrier under the seat in front of you Tab… verified 2026-08-18 Minimum age 10 weeks …Only one cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger. In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned* You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time… verified 2026-08-28 Advance booking notice 2 hours …with allergies will be established in the aircraft. Check in Pet owners are encouraged to check in 3 1/2 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Max pets per passenger 1 Only one cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger. verified 2026-08-14 Booking method website …or Air Canada Express. If your itinerary includes a flight operated by another airline, please visit their website directly to review their pet travel policies verified 2026-08-28 Min age weeks 10 weeks In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✗ NeinFemales with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation verified 2026-07-20 Season restrictions Winter restrictions Winter restrictions Pets may not travel in the baggage compartment of all or some of our aircraft on the dates and for the reasons listed below verified 2026-07-14 Aircraft restrictions ✗ Jasacred and ceremonial items Travelling with your Pet We’ve updated our pet travel policy Starting June 1, 2025, all pets travelling in the cabin must be transported in soft-sided carriers . Learn more In the Cabin In… verified 2026-08-28 Animals in heat accepted ✗ Neincontainers are not accepted on the following aircraft: CRJ 100/200 (CRJ) CRJ 705 (CRA) Embraer 175 (E75) Embraer 190 (E90) It is not recommended to ship toy-sized dogs, puppies and kittens in the following aircrafts:… verified 2026-08-28 Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier Why did we make this change? The space under the seat in front of you varies from aircraft to aircraft, and hard-sided carriers may not fit on all our planes pets traveling in the cabin, hard-sided carriers must not… verified 2026-08-16 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ JaShort/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds These short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks of heat stroke and breathing… verified 2026-09-15 Hold: Minimum age 10 weeks for puppies, kittens, and breeding females The minimum age for puppies and kittens is 10 weeks verified 2026-08-27 Hold: Cold-weather embargo 7°C Winter restrictions At any time when temperature is below 7 °C, Air Canada Cargo may not be able to accommodate animals. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ NeinFemales with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Season restrictions Winter restrictions Winter restrictions Pets may not travel in the baggage compartment of all or some of our aircraft on the dates and for the reasons listed below verified 2026-08-15 Hold: Animals in heat accepted ✗ NeinFemales with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation. verified 2026-08-15 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 45 kg Maximum allowable weight Up to 45 kg (100 lb) 1 (pet and kennel combined) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier To be accepted for travel in the checked baggage compartment, the pet carrier must be: Hard-sided. verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedthe exception of December 15 to January 11, where pets are not accepted as cargo either). verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks …of females in heat (estrus) is not recommended Females with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation verified 2026-08-30 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours Bookings should be made at least 24 hours in advance of travel, in order to give adequate time for all interested parties to be informed, thus ensuring the utmost safety of your animal throughout its entire journey. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Heat embargo 29.5°C …baggage compartments, it may not always be possible to accommodate your pet when summer temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F). verified 2026-08-13 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ NeinFemales with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation verified 2026-07-13 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NeinDo not sedate your pet verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Season restrictions Winter restrictions Winter restrictions Pets may not travel in the baggage compartment of all or some of our aircraft on the dates and for the reasons listed below verified 2026-08-15 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier To be accepted for travel in the checked baggage compartment, the pet carrier must be: Hard-sided. verified 2026-08-09 Health & documents Health certificate validity 10 days Forms Required A Fit to Fly health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate required ✓ JaA valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required for all puppies and kittens traveling on Air Canada Cargo, including those traveling within Canada. verified 2026-08-16 Health certificate · Required ✓ JaA valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required for all puppies and kittens traveling on Air Canada Cargo, including those traveling within Canada. verified 2026-08-16 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ JaImmunization against rabies for U.S.-bound dogs The U.S. Center for Disease Control requires that some dogs being transported to the United States be fully immunized against verified 2026-08-28 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 10 weeks Age requirements Minimum age: 10 weeks and weaned. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days overnight kenneling. Forms Required A Fit to Fly health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats verified 2026-08-28 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedCats and dogs in the Maple Leaf Lounges Cats and small dogs are allowed in our Maple Leaf Lounges only under the following conditions: Your cat or dog must verified 2026-08-28 Minimum age 10 weeks In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned* You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. verified 2026-08-24 Assistance animals accepted ✓ JaSERVICE ANIMALS Certified, professionally trained service animals which are assisting customers with disabilities are carried, free of charge, in the passenger cabin at the customer's feet. verified 2026-07-20 Service & assistance animals Esa note Emotional support dogs Only dogs are accepted Emotional support dogs Only dogs are accepted as emotional support animals. verified 2026-08-15 Fee waived ✓ JaIf we determine that your service dog requires extra floor space, it's free of charge for flights within Canada. verified 2026-08-04 Recognized ✓ JaOpens in New Window Checked Baggage Carry-on Baggage Are you travelling with a service animal? verified 2026-08-24 Cabin allowed ✓ JaSERVICE ANIMALS Certified, professionally trained service animals which are assisting customers with disabilities are carried, free of charge, in the passenger cabin at the customer's feet. verified 2026-07-20 Esa recognized ✓ JaEmotional support dogs Only dogs are accepted as emotional support animals. verified 2026-08-12 Forms required ✓ JaYou must complete and send Air Canada Accessibility Services the following forms 2 at least 48 hours prior to departure 3 . U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (English only) For… verified 2026-08-15 Breed restrictions snub-nosed Short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds These short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks verified 2026-08-28 Advance notice hours 48 hours …other flights You must complete and send Air Canada Accessibility Services the following forms 2 at least 48 hours prior to departure 3 . verified 2026-08-12 Documentation required ✓ JaThe Veterinarian Health Form must attest to the good behaviour of your dog and indicate that they will fit safely and comfortably in a carrier under the seat. verified 2026-08-15 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✗ Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedOnly one cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger. verified 2026-08-14 Minimum age 10 weeks In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned* You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in verified 2026-08-14 Max pets per passenger 1 Only 1 cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger Only 1 cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger verified 2026-06-02 Booking method online …valid military identification is required. To make use of the enhanced baggage allowance: When you check in online or on your Air Canada App, indicate that you’re travelling without a checked bag verified 2026-08-28 Min age weeks 10 weeks In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✗ Neincontainers are not accepted on the following aircraft: CRJ 100/200 (CRJ) CRJ 705 (CRA) Embraer 175 (E75) Embraer 190 (E90) It is not recommended to ship toy-sized dogs, puppies and kittens in the following aircrafts:… verified 2026-08-28 Season restrictions winter Peak winter travel restrictions December 18 to January 4 Due to increased passenger and cargo loads during the peak winter travel period, no pets are accepted as checked baggage or cargo verified 2026-07-14 Animals in heat accepted ✗ Neincontainers are not accepted on the following aircraft: CRJ 100/200 (CRJ) CRJ 705 (CRA) Embraer 175 (E75) Embraer 190 (E90) It is not recommended to ship toy-sized dogs, puppies and kittens in the following aircrafts:… verified 2026-08-28 Carrier size 40 cm …and A330-300 (333) Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8), 777-200LR (77L), 777-300ER (77W), 787-8 (788), and 787-9 (789) 40 cm (16 in) 43 cm (17 in) 20 cm verified 2026-08-24 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier …and A330-300 (333) Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8), 777-200LR (77L), 777-300ER (77W), 787-8 (788), and 787-9 (789) 40 cm (16 in) 43 cm (17 in) 20 cm verified 2026-08-24 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Puppies and kittens between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks of age must be booked by an approved pet shipper as listed on the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) site. verified 2026-08-16 Hold: Advance booking notice 10 hours Travel within Canada Bookings should be made at least 10 hours in advance of travel, in order to give adequate time for all interested parties to be informed, thus… verified 2026-08-14 Hold: Cold-weather embargo 0°C Cold weather restrictions November 1 to March 31 and at any other time when temperature is 0 °C (32 °F) or below Cats and dogs weighing less than 4.5 kg (10 lb) are not accepted in the baggage… verified 2026-08-27 Hold: Heat embargo 29.5°C …baggage compartments, it may not always be possible to accommodate your pet when summer temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ Neincontainers are not accepted on the following aircraft: CRJ 100/200 (CRJ) CRJ 705 (CRA) Embraer 175 (E75) Embraer 190 (E90) It is not recommended to ship toy-sized dogs, puppies and kittens in the following aircrafts:… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Season restrictions winter Peak winter travel restrictions December 18 to January 4 Due to increased passenger and cargo loads during the peak winter travel period, no pets are accepted as checked baggage or cargo verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, a carrier To be accepted for travel in the checked baggage compartment, the pet carrier must be: Hard-sided. verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedNovember 1 to March 31 Limitations on travel in unheated cargo holds: warm-blooded animals are not accepted as cargo on some of our narrowbody fleet, as the cargo holds of these aircraft are not heated. verified 2026-08-21 Health & documents Health certificate validity 10 days Forms Required A Fit to Fly health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate required ✓ JaThose under 8 weeks of age will not be accepted for carriage. A valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required for all puppies and kittens traveling on Air Canada verified 2026-08-28 Health certificate · Validity days 7 days need to contact Air Canada Cargo Opens in New Window (AC Animals) no more than 14 days or less than 7 days prior to your anticipated travel date if you’re travelling with more than two pets verified 2026-08-28 Other rules Minimum age 10 weeks In most cases, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned* You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. verified 2026-08-24 Frequently Asked Questions Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Air Canada?
Does Air Canada require a health certificate for pets?
Yes, Air Canada requires a health certificate for pets. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. Your destination country may have additional requirements — check
www.pawgo.fr .
Build my pet's travel plan → Can I ship my dog as cargo on Air Canada?
Yes, Air Canada offers cargo pet transport. Confirm the carrier's specific crate and documentation requirements with the airline directly before booking. Get the full details at
www.pawgo.fr .
Build my pet's travel plan →
