Cet article n'est pas encore traduit en français : il est affiché en anglais.
The Air Canada pet policy gives you three options: a cat or small dog in the cabin, in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of you; a pet in a hard-sided kennel in the baggage compartment; or Air Canada Cargo, for pets flying alone, big kennels or more than two pets. Pets generally have to be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned, and every one must be registered with Air Canada Reservations ahead of time, ideally within 24 hours of booking.
The details are where people get caught: the carrier size for your specific plane, the summer and winter limits on the hold. This guide sums up Air Canada's travelling with pets page as we checked it on October 12, 2026. Airline rules change, so confirm with Air Canada before you book, and see your vet about the health paperwork your destination needs.
Air Canada pet policy at a glance
Small pets ride in the cabin, bigger ones go in the hold on your flight, and Cargo handles everything else. Side by side:
| Option | Who it suits | Key rules |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin | One cat or small dog per passenger | Soft-sided carrier under the seat in front; pet stays inside |
| Baggage compartment | Pets too big for the cabin, travelling on your flight | Hard-sided kennel; seasonal limits; no short-nosed breeds |
| Air Canada Cargo | Pets travelling alone, oversized kennels, more than two pets, commercial shipments | Booked through Air Canada Cargo |
Register your pet with Air Canada Reservations within 24 hours of booking. If the pet can't be accommodated, Air Canada refunds the ticket at no charge; after 24 hours, change and cancellation fees may apply.
Flying with a pet in the cabin
Only a cat or small dog can fly in the cabin, one per passenger. Since June 1, 2025, Air Canada requires soft-sided, flexible carriers, and backpack carriers with hard plastic windows aren't allowed. Your pet has to be able to stand, turn around and lie down with no part of its body sticking out, and it stays in the closed carrier under the seat in front of you the whole flight.
| Aircraft | Maximum carrier size |
|---|---|
| Airbus A220-300, A319, A320, A321, A321XLR, A330-300; Boeing 737 MAX 8, 777, 787 (economy) | 40 x 43 x 20 cm |
| De Havilland Dash 8-400, Embraer E175, Mitsubishi CRJ900, Landline | 40 x 55 x 27 cm |
| Business Class on A330-300, 777 and 787 | 21 x 41 x 28 cm |
Check which plane you're on before you buy a carrier; that 20 cm height on the big jets is tight. On most fares the carrier comes on top of your personal item and carry-on. On some Economy Basic itineraries without a carry-on, you can bring the carrier and one personal item.
Where pets cannot ride in the cabin
Pets can't sit in Premium Economy, because the seat layout doesn't allow safe stowage, or in exit rows or bulkhead rows. They also can't sit with an unaccompanied minor or a passenger who needs a medical device under the seat. Air Canada Jetz flights are out, and so are codeshare and partner-operated flights, so check the operating airline's rules if your ticket involves one.
With a pet, you have to check in with an agent, so online check-in and kiosks won't work. Air Canada asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the recommended check-in time.
Pets in the baggage compartment
Pets too big for the cabin can fly in the hold on your flight, in a hard-sided, leak-proof kennel with a securely locking door and no mesh top. Collapsible and wire carriers aren't accepted. Length, width and height can add up to 292 cm, and the pet and kennel together can weigh up to 45 kg. Anything bigger goes through Air Canada Cargo.
Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds can't travel in the baggage compartment at all, because of the risk of heat stroke and breathing problems. Strong or aggressive breeds need a reinforced container. And two weaned puppies or kittens of the same species, aged 12 weeks to 6 months, may share a kennel, though they still count as two pets.
Seasonal limits on the hold
Air Canada may turn away pets in the hold when it's hotter than 29.5°C, and it lists summer embargoes by destination, including some US airports like Miami, Orlando, Phoenix and Las Vegas, and destinations like Mexico, the Dominican Republic and India. Check the list for your route and dates.
Winter has its own rules. From November 1 to March 31, or at 0°C or below, cats and dogs under 4.5 kg aren't accepted in the hold. And from December 18 to January 4, no pets are accepted as checked baggage or cargo, which rules out a lot of holiday plans.
When to use Air Canada Cargo
Use Air Canada Cargo when your pet is flying alone or on a separate shipment, when the kennel is over the baggage size or weight limits, when you have more than two pets, or for commercial pet shipments. With more than two pets, Air Canada asks you to contact Cargo 7 to 14 days before travel. Cargo may also carry pets in winter on certain aircraft when the baggage hold is closed to them.
How to book a pet on Air Canada
Book your own seat first, then add your pet by phone. The steps:
- Book your own flight.
- Call Air Canada Reservations to register your pet on the same flight, with the carrier's dimensions and your pet's weight and breed.
- Do it within 24 hours of booking, so a refund is free if your pet can't be accommodated.
- If you change your booking later online or through an agent, call Reservations so the pet booking moves too.
- Pay the pet fee, which applies each way; Air Canada lists current amounts on its page.
A pet that wasn't registered in advance won't be accepted at the airport. The Canadian Transportation Agency notes that an airline's tariff is the contract between the carrier and its passengers, so Air Canada's published terms are what count, not what a friend was told last year.
Paperwork and your pet's health
Your pet may need more than a local vet note. Air Canada warns that a local vet certificate may not be enough for international trips, and that government vets may inspect pets on arrival. For the US, the CDC's rules for dogs since August 1, 2024 apply: a dog that's been only in Canada or other low-risk countries needs to be at least 6 months old, microchipped and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. On the way home, Canada's own rules apply, as our guide to bringing a dog into Canada explains.
Air Canada advises against tranquilizers unless your vet recommends them, and suggests feeding four to six hours before departure. Talk to your vet well before the trip. PetGrid's free travel helper lists the steps and timing for your destination, each linked to the official page, and a vaccine card keeps proof on your phone.
Questions fréquentes
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Air Canada?
Yes, if it's a small dog that fits in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of you. Each passenger may bring one cat or small dog, at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned.
What size carrier does Air Canada allow in the cabin?
It depends on the aircraft: 40 x 43 x 20 cm on most Airbus and Boeing jets, 40 x 55 x 27 cm on the Dash 8-400, E175 and CRJ900, and 21 x 41 x 28 cm in Business Class on wide-body jets.
How much is the Air Canada pet fee?
Air Canada charges a pet fee for each one-way trip, plus any taxes, and lists the current amounts on its travelling with pets page. Check it when you book, because fees change.
Can short-nosed breeds fly on Air Canada?
Not in the baggage compartment. Air Canada doesn't accept brachycephalic breeds in the hold because of heat stroke and breathing risks, though a small one may still fit the cabin rules.
Can my pet fly in the hold to the US in summer?
It depends on the route. Air Canada lists summer embargoes on pets in the hold for some US airports, and may refuse pets in the hold when it's hotter than 29.5°C.
Can I fly with a pet on an Air Canada codeshare flight?
Not under Air Canada's in-cabin rules, since codeshare and partner-operated flights aren't eligible. Check the operating airline's own pet policy.
En bref
Getting the Air Canada pet policy right is mostly about four things: the right option (cabin, hold or cargo), a carrier that fits your plane, the seasonal limits, and registering your pet within 24 hours of booking. Confirm the details with Air Canada, and get your vet's help with health papers for the destination and the trip home.
The free PetGrid app keeps your pet's vaccines, microchip and travel checklist together, so the airport is the easy part.
Gardez les dossiers, les vaccins et les visites de votre animal dans un seul endroit sûr. L'application PetGrid est gratuite pour les propriétaires d'animaux, avec ou sans clinique.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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