Air Canada Pet Policy: What's New in 2024?

Table of Contents

• Air Canada's Pet Policy Explained 
• Air Canada's Pet Policy on In-cabin Pets
  • IATA Rules Regarding Pets and Dogs Traveling in Cabin
  • Cost of a pet in a cabin
  • Pet Policy for Baggage Compartment on Air Canada
  • How can one use Air Canada to travel abroad with a pet? 
  • How to travel with a dog internationally on Air Canada?
    • Charges
    • International
    • Your pet and their carrier
  • Limitations for Animals Traveling in the Hold
  • Pet in Hold Price on Air Canada
  • Pet Cargo on Air Canada
  • Air Canada's Snub-Nosed Breed Policy for Dogs and Cats

There are several alternatives for traveling with dogs or cats in the cabin and they are held under Air Canada's pet policy for 2024. This article contains information about Air Canada's pet-friendly travel regulations for cross-border and international travel with your dog or cat. Among the few airlines operating from the United Kingdom (UK) that allow dogs to travel in the cabin or the hold as checked luggage is Air Canada.  

Air Canada's Pet Policy Explained 

Pets are welcome in the cabin, the luggage hold, or the cargo area of Air Canada aircraft. While a larger range of animals are allowed to fly via cargo, only cats and dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin and luggage compartment.

Keep an eye out for "codeshare" flights, which are advertised by Air Canada but are run by one of its partners. You can't bring your pet on flights that are not run by Air Canada. You could be allowed to bring your pet on the trip if it is being advertised and run by one of Air Canada's partners. To make arrangements, you will need to get in touch with the partner airline.

When a service animal is helping an Air Canada client, it is free to enter the cabin and remain at the person's feet. Air Canada requires service animals to be pre-registered through their Medical Assistance Desk (contact details available here). Every service animal needs to be:

• Attested to having received training from a professional service animal institution to support an individual with a disability
• always in a harness

In Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges, pets are only permitted if:

• The animal stays with its owner and in its carrier at all times.
• The pet carrier has good ventilation and is waterproof.
• The pet's body is enclosed within the carrier.

Air Canada's Pet Policy on In-cabin Pets

Air Canada pet in Cabin is only for cats and small dogs 

• It must be small enough for your pet to remain in its carrier beneath the seat in front of you.
• There is a weight limit of 22 lb (10 kg) for both your pet and carrier.
• The carrier needs to have specific measurements; Air Canada suggests using soft-sided carriers.
• Hard-sided: height (19 in/23 cm), width (15.5 in/40 cm), length (21.5 in/55 cm)
• 10.5 inches/27 cm in height, 15.5 inches/40 cm in breadth, and 21.5 inches/55 cm in length are soft-sided measurements.
• One regular carry-on item, your pet in its container, counts toward your total allowable carry-on weight.
• Depending on the itinerary, the fee for your pet to stay in the cabin within the US and Canada (excluding Hawaii) is $50 or $59 per direction. $100 to $118 is the international rate.
• You must be traveling between Montreal and Toronto City Airport on an Air Canada, Jazz, or Air Georgian flight, or a Sky Regional Air Canada Express trip.

IATA Rules Regarding Pets and Dogs Traveling in Cabin

Remember that in addition to making sure your pet's travel crate satisfies Air Canada's maximum dimensions for flying in the cabin, you also have to follow the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Live Animal Regulations (LAR). This involves figuring out the smallest inner crate size that the IATA LAR permits for your dog or cat to travel in the cabin. Furthermore, the airline pet travel carrier must follow the IATA LAR regarding design, ventilation, and other aspects.

Cost of a pet in a cabin

50 CAD/59 USD for flights within Canada or the USA; 100 CAD/119 USD for flights abroad 

Pet Policy for Baggage Compartment on Air Canada

For dogs and cats only

• Your pet must travel in the checked baggage area on the same flight as you.
• The total weight of your pet and carrier cannot exceed 100 pounds (45 kg).
• The carrier's measurements (115 inches/292 cm in linear terms, or length plus breadth plus height) must be met.
• The fee for bringing your pet along in the checked baggage is $105 to $120.75 for each course
• You have to be traveling between Montreal and Toronto City Airport on an Air Canada, Jazz, or Sky Regional flight, or an Air Canada Express trip.

How can one use Air Canada to travel abroad with a pet? 

You're free to get your feline or little canine. The lodge you gave it is adequately small to stand, pivot, and rest in its transporter under the seat before you. Simply make a point to tell us ahead of time, as space is in some cases restricted. See the 'What else do I want to know' area (at appropriate) for subtleties.

How to travel with a dog internationally on Air Canada?

According to Air Canada's pet policy for international flights,  your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:

• Are an unaccompanied minor
• are seated in a row near an exit or bulkhead
• necessitate using a medical gadget that must be stored beneath the seat
• are flying in our Premium Economy cabin since pet carriers cannot be safely stowed in Premium Economy seats due to their design.

Charges

• Charge for one-way travel
• Within Canada and Canada/U.S. 
• CAD 50.00/USD

International

• CAD 100.00/USD

Your pet and their carrier

Your pet and their transporter The transporter will consider the one standard lightweight thing that you are permitted to welcome ready. Your pet must continuously stay in its shut transporter under the seat before you. Your pet's transporter should be sufficiently large to permit them to stand up, pivot, and rest securely and serenely, without any piece of them reaching out outside the transporter. Your pet could be denied travel if the transporter is considered to be excessively small for them.

Limitations for Animals Traveling in the Hold

Like all moral airlines, Air Canada does not fly pets or cats with brachycephalic noses in the hold. This is because these breeds are more likely to experience respiratory problems in conditions involving excessive heat or stress.

You cannot bring a pet on an itinerary that includes a flight run by one of Air Canada's codeshare partners in the hold.

On these days, animals are not permitted to travel in the baggage compartment to the following destinations due to the high temperatures: 

Pets are Not Allowed on Air Canada Hot Weather Baggage Hold Routes

Pet in Hold Price on Air Canada

• Within the USA or Canada: 105 USD/CAD
• Travel abroad: USD 318.60/270 CAD

Pet Cargo on Air Canada

If your pet needs to be shipped as cargo, you need to notify Air Canada Cargo at least seven days in advance of departure, but preferably no more than thirty days.

All reservations for animals traveling as cargo must be made directly with AC Animals, Air Canada's specialized solution. They provide: 

They provide:

• Staff with specialized training to look for your pet
• At some stations, there are designated holding areas for your pet's comfort.
• Dedicated pet vehicles for both comfort and safety
• Bookings and inquiries for pet travel will be handled by designated agents.
• Toronto kennel facility offers convenient rest spots throughout travel
• Simple prices for moving dogs and cats within Canada or between the US and Canada Veterinary advice services

Air Canada's Snub-Nosed Breed Policy for Dogs and Cats

Due to stress and high temperatures, animals with brachycephalic noses, such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats, may experience breathing difficulties when in flight. Most brachycephalic (snub-nosed) animals might not be transported in the hold to protect their health. This implies that these animals are only permitted to travel in the Air Canada cabin; they are not permitted to board the aircraft as cargo or as checked luggage.

Remember that you must include an additional 10% to your IATA-compliant pet carrier estimate when transporting a snub-nosed pet in the cabin.

FAQs 

What is the weight limit for dogs on Air Canada?

Pets up to 6 months old: if each animal weighs less than 9 kg (20 lbs), a kennel may hold up to 2 pets. Pets older than six months: if the animal weighs more than 14 kg (30 lbs), one pet per kennel.

How strict is Air Canada about pet carriers? 

Pets traveling in the hold require carriers that are no larger than 115" (292 cm), hard-sided, leak-proof, and spacious enough to accommodate your pet's needs for standing, turning around, and lying down

Can I bring my pet to the Air Canada Lounge?

You are permitted to bring your cat or small dog into the Maple Leaf Lounge as long as it meets the requirements listed below: Your dog or cat needs to be in the pet carrier with you at all times. Both the pet carrier's ventilation and leak protection must be met. 

How many pets are allowed on Air Canada flights? 

Up to two pets in the same kennel may be sent by customers in the baggage area.