Air Canada pet policy
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operated flights, and Air Canada Express operated by Jazz, on the reviewed US–Canada and Canada–EU corridors. Confirm every operating carrier and connection before booking.
Last verified 1 primary sourceSite-wide weekly check due
Cats and small dogs can travel in the cabin in an accepted soft-sided carrier; checked pets have aircraft, weather and breed restrictions. Advance registration is required.
- Cabin
- RestrictedA cat or small dog must fit comfortably in an accepted flexible soft-sided carrier under the seat. Advance registration is required; Premium Economy, exit rows and bulkhead rows are excluded.
- Hold (checked baggage)
- RestrictedChecked pets travel only on accepted aircraft with a suitable rigid kennel. Seasonal, temperature, breed and destination restrictions apply; confirm all flight segments.
- Manifest cargo
- Not published
- Snub-nosed
- Case by caseListed short-nosed dog breeds cannot travel in the baggage compartment. This restriction concerns hold travel; ask Air Canada about cabin eligibility for a small dog.
Routes Air Canada flies with pets
This is what Air Canada offers on each route. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Route | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada → European Union, dog | Not published | 100 USD | |||
| Canada → European Union, cat | Not published | 100 USD | Not published | ||
| Canada → United States, dog | Not published | 50 USD | |||
| Canada → United States, cat | Not published | 50 USD | Not published | ||
| European Union → Canada, dog | Not published | 100 USD | |||
| European Union → Canada, cat | Not published | 100 USD | Not published | ||
| United States → Canada, dog | Not published | 50 USD | |||
| United States → Canada, cat | Not published | 50 USD | Not published |
Notes
Register the pet through Air Canada Reservations after booking the owner’s flight. Unregistered pets are not accepted at the airport. Confirm the operating airline for every segment.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Hold carriage can be unavailable above 29.5°C (85°F). The seasonal destination embargo also covers specified US airports; check the current list before booking.
All routes (dogs and cats)
From November 1 to March 31, and whenever temperatures are at or below 0°C (32°F), pets under 4.5 kg (10 lb) are not accepted in the baggage compartment. Aircraft restrictions also apply.
All routes (dogs and cats)
From December 18 to January 4, Air Canada publishes a peak-period embargo on pets as checked baggage or cargo. Confirm your travel dates directly with the carrier.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Air Canada directs owners bringing dogs into the US to CDC entry requirements. Canadian departure does not waive the US minimum age or import-form requirements.
Canada → United States (dogs)
Listed short-nosed dog breeds cannot travel in the baggage compartment. This is a hold restriction; cabin eligibility for a small dog still depends on the cabin conditions and carrier confirmation.
All routes (dogs)
Air Canada publishes a baseline minimum age of 10 weeks with the animal fully weaned. Destination entry rules can require an older animal; confirm both the airline and government requirements for the journey.
All routes (dogs and cats)
For checked pets, the pet and kennel together may weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb). The maximum kennel linear dimensions are 292 cm (115 in), measured as length plus width plus height. Larger kennels need a separate Cargo inquiry rather than a checked-pet booking.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Air Canada lists Greece and Italy among destinations where pets cannot travel in the baggage compartment from July 1 to August 31. Check seasonal restrictions for every destination and connection.
Canada → European Union; European Union → Canada (dogs and cats)
Where every rule above came from
- Air Canadaaircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.htmlAir Canada and Air Canada Rouge operated flights, and Air Canada Express operated by…; Cats and small dogs can travel in the cabin in an accepted soft-sided carrier; checked…; Route: United States → Canada; Route: Canada → United States; and 17 more
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.