Fly with Air Canada

In the Cabin

You are welcome to bring your cat or small dog in the cabin with you provided it is small enough to stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you. You are able to bring your pets on the following flights:

• Flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge
• Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian or Exploits Valley Air

However, you have to remember that your pet in its carrier will count as one standard item toward your carry-on baggage allowance.

Your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:

• Are an unaccompanied minor
• Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
• Require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat
• Are travelling in Premium Economy on a Boeing 787-8 (788), Boeing 787-9 (789) or A330-300 (333) aircraft

Pet carrier dimensions

On Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR  aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed the following dimensions :

• Height: 21 cm (8.25 in) in height,
• Width: 38 cm (15 in)
• Length: 43 cm (17 in)

In the cabins equipped with lie-flat beds, you are only able to bring small or miniature dogs and cats. Air Canada recommends soft-sided carriers, and they must not exceed the following dimensions:

• Height : 28 cm (11 in)
• Width: 21 cm (8 in)
• Length: 41 cm (16 in)

In the baggage compartment

Your pet can’t fly in the cabin with you? It can still travel safely and comfortably on the same flight as you. Namely, in the pressurized cargo compartment of most of Air Canada’s aircrafts.

Your cat or dog can travel with you if you’re travelling on:

• A flight operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge
• An Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian or Exploits Valley Air

The Maximum carrier size allowed is 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height). The Maximum allowed weight is up to 45 kg (100 lb) (pet and kennel combined).

You can contact Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals) for rates and assistance in shipping kennels that exceed 45 kg (100 lb) in weight, or 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height).

Restrictions

Breed: The short/snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of cats and dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to extreme heat or stressful situations.

Summerheat: Because not all the aircrafts are equipped with temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments, unfortunately it may not always be possible to accommodate your pet when summer temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F).

During these periods of high heat, we recommend that you for example travel early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower and, additionally whenever possible, that you choose a direct or non-stop flight to limit the time your pet will be spending in the baggage compartment.

Winter temperatures: 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 compartment of any of Air Canada’s aircrafts.

Pets are not accepted on the following flights and aircrafts:

• Bombardier CRJ100/200 (CRJ)
• Bombardier CRJ900 (CR9)
• Embraer 175 (E75)
• Embraer 190 (E90)

Furthermore, Air Canada does not recommend to transport animals as checked baggage on the Airbus A319-100, A320-200 and A321-200 aircraft: the cargo compartment is not heated and temperatures can be as low as 2 °C (36 °F).

Charges

More information

For more information, you can have a look on the website of Air Canada. Furthermore, if you need tips on how to prepare your pets for flying, you can have a look at our resource Flying with pets.