Air Canada Pet Policy 2026: Flying with Your Dog or Cat on Air Canada

Flying with a pet on Air Canada in 2026 is absolutely possible but only if you understand how the airline interprets its own pet travel rules.

I’ve flown internationally with my dogs multiple times, and through Paws Abroad we’ve supported hundreds of pet parents navigating Air Canada’s pet policy for domestic flights, international relocations, and long-haul travel. The challenge isn’t that Air Canada doesn’t allow pets it’s that small misunderstandings around weight limits, carrier rules, and booking timelines often lead to denied boarding or last-minute stress. I learned this the hard way the first time I flew. I assumed my dog’s weight was the only thing that mattered… and then got hit with the “pet + carrier combined” rule at check-in. Ever since, I weigh everything at home and book pet space the same day.

This Air Canada pet policy guide covers in-cabin pets, Air Canada pet carrier requirements, Air Canada pet weight limits, and how flying with a dog or cat on Air Canada works for both domestic and international flights. Whether you’re reviewing the Air Canada dog policy or Air Canada cat policy, the rules are the same and enforced consistently.

For a breakdown of other airline pet policies check out our Airline Pet Policies for International Travel in 2026 guide

For a broader overview of international pet travel requirements, including documentation, airline differences, and country rules, see our 2026 International Pet Travel Guide

(Policy reviewed January 2026)

Does Air Canada Allow Pets in the Cabin?

Yes. Air Canada allows small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin on most routes if specific requirements are met.

To qualify for in-cabin pet travel on Air Canada:

• Your pet and carrier combined must weigh 10 kg (22 lbs) or less
• Your pet must travel in a soft-sided carrier
• Cabin pet space must be reserved in advance
• Pet fees apply for both domestic and international flights

If you’re within 1-2 lbs of the limit: assume you’re over. Carriers vary, scales vary, and agents enforce the combined weight rule.

Air Canada limits the number of pets per flight, which means availability matters just as much as eligibility.

Want to confirm cabin eligibility in 30 seconds?
Inside Paws Abroad, you can plug in your pet’s weight + carrier type + route and we’ll flag whether you’re likely to qualify before you book (and what to do if you’re close to the limit).

Air Canada In-Cabin Pet Weight Limit (10 kg / 22 lbs Explained)

Air Canada’s in-cabin pet weight limit applies to the combined weight of your pet and the carrier, not your pet alone.

This is one of the most common reasons pets are denied cabin travel at the airport.

If your dog weighs 12 lbs and your carrier weighs 10 lbs, Air Canada considers the total weight to be over the limit, even if your pet appears small.

Best practices:

• Choose a lightweight soft-sided carrier (typically 2–4 lbs)
• Weigh your pet inside the carrier at home
• Leave buffer room rather than aiming for exactly 22 lbs

Inside Paws Abroad, pet profiles include carrier guidance and weight buffers so you’re not guessing especially helpful if your pet is close to the limit

Air Canada Soft-Sided Carrier Requirement (June 2025 Update)

As of June 1, 2025, Air Canada no longer allows hard-sided pet carriers in the cabin.

All in-cabin pets must travel in:

• Soft-sided, flexible carriers
• Collapsible designs that fit fully under the seat
• Carriers with adequate ventilation on multiple sides

This rule applies to:

• Air Canada
• Air Canada Rouge
• Air Canada Express

If your carrier does not meet these requirements, exceptions at the airport are unlikely.

At Paws Abroad, we see a lot of stress here especially from pet parents who last flew years ago. Having an up-to-date checklist (that updates when airline rules change) prevents last-minute surprises.

Minimum Age Requirements for Pets Flying on Air Canada

To fly in the cabin on Air Canada, pets must be:

• At least 10–12 weeks old
• Fully weaned
• Healthy enough for air travel

Although Air Canada lists 10 weeks as the minimum age, some agents cite 12 weeks. If your pet is near the cutoff, confirm in advance.

Age rules vary by airline and destination. Keeping your pet’s profile and timeline in one place makes it easier to confirm eligibility before booking. Thats why we offer personalized travel plans to your pet and route at Paws Abroad.

How to Book Your Pet on Air Canada (Correct Process & Timeline)

Booking your pet correctly is critical.

Step 1: Book Your Passenger Ticket First

Your pet cannot be added until you have a confirmed passenger booking.

Step 2: Reserve Pet Space Immediately

Contact Air Canada Reservations or book online as soon as your ticket is confirmed. Pet space is limited on each flight.

Step 3: Provide Pet Details

You’ll be asked for:

• Pet breed, age, and weight (with carrier)
• Carrier dimensions
• Travel dates and flight numbers

Step 4: Pay the Pet Fee Early

Booking online at least 48 hours before departure is cheaper than paying at the airport.

From experience, booking your pet the same day you book your flight offers the best chance of securing cabin space.

My personal “don’t get burned” booking routine:

1. Book the ticket
2. Call immediately to reserve pet space (same day if possible)
3. Screenshot the confirmation + note the agent name
4. Reconfirm pet space 72 hours before departure

If you want this as a single checklist you can follow without thinking, we include it inside Paws Abroad (plus reminders based on your travel date).

Air Canada Pet Fees (2026 Pricing Estimates)

• Domestic flights: ~$50–59 CAD (booked online in advance)
• International flights: ~$100–118 CAD
• Airport payment rates are higher

Pet fees are charged per direction, not round-trip

In our personalized travel plans in Paws Abroad, seeing airline fees alongside documentation costs and destination requirements helps pet parents budget realistically especially for international moves.

Flying Larger Dogs on Air Canada: Checked Baggage vs Cargo

If your dog exceeds the in-cabin weight limit, Air Canada offers two alternatives.

Checked Baggage Pet Travel

• Combined pet + kennel up to 45 kg (100 lbs)
• Hard-sided IATA-compliant kennel required
• Climate-controlled cargo hold
• Commonly used for international relocations

Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals Program)

• Used for very large dogs or specialized cases
• Requires separate booking through Air Canada Cargo
• Pricing varies widely based on size and route

For most standard relocations, checked baggage is the preferred option.

Choosing between cabin, baggage, or cargo depends on your pet, route, and length of travel. Having a side-by-side comparison removes a lot of emotional guesswork.

Cabin vs Checked Baggage vs Cargo: How to Choose the Right Option for Your Pet

Choosing how your pet should travel on Air Canada is not just about weight it’s about temperament, route length, and overall stress.

When In-Cabin Travel Is Best

In-cabin travel is ideal for:

• Small dogs and cats under 22 lbs (with carrier)
• Short to medium flights
• Pets that are calm in enclosed spaces
• Owners who want continuous visual contact

When Checked Baggage Is a Better Option

Checked baggage is often the better choice for:

• Medium to large dogs
• Long international flights
• Pets that can stand, turn, and rest comfortably in a kennel
• Routes where cabin confinement would be excessive

When Cargo Is Necessary

Cargo travel is generally reserved for:

• Very large dogs
• Multi-leg or complex international routes
• Situations where airline cabin or baggage limits cannot be met

There is no universally “right” option only the option that best matches your pet’s needs and your route.

How Connecting Flights Affect Air Canada Pet Travel

Connecting flights introduce additional complexity, especially when traveling internationally.

Key considerations include:

• Each aircraft type may have different under-seat dimensions
• Pet limits apply per flight, not per itinerary
• Some partner airlines do not accept pets at all
• U.S. connections may trigger additional import requirements

A flight that works perfectly on paper can become risky if one leg does not accept pets in the cabin or has already reached its pet limit.

This is one of the most common reasons people re-route flights. Seeing pet compatibility across all legs before booking prevents costly rebooking later.

Preparing Your Pet for an Air Canada Flight (What Actually Helps)

Air Canada focuses on compliance but your pet’s comfort matters just as much.

Based on our experiences, the most effective preparation steps include:

• Practicing time in the carrier well before travel
• Avoiding heavy meals 2–3 hours before departure
• Scheduling a pre-flight veterinary check-up
• Placing a personal item that smells like you in your pets travel carrier.
• Staying calm yourself pets read stress extremely well

Sedation should never be used without veterinary guidance and is generally discouraged for air travel.

What Happens If Your Air Canada Flight Is Delayed or Changed

Delays happen and they can affect pets differently than passengers.

If your flight is delayed:

• Cabin pets remain with you
• Checked baggage pets remain in climate-controlled holding areas
• Long delays may require re-evaluation of pet welfare

If your flight is rebooked:

• Pet space is not automatically guaranteed on the new flight
• Fees may need to be reprocessed
• Availability must be reconfirmed

This is why early booking and buffer time matter more when traveling with animals

Is Air Canada a Good Airline for International Pet Relocation?

Compared to other North American airlines, Air Canada offers:

• Competitive cabin weight limits
• Clear documentation requirements
• Service dog recognition
• Established cargo infrastructure

That said, Air Canada is still a commercial airline not a relocation service. Success depends on preparation, timing, and understanding both airline and country rules.

For international relocations, Air Canada works best when paired with:

• Early planning
• Clear documentation tracking
• A backup plan if cabin travel becomes unavailable

When to Get Extra Help with Air Canada Pet Travel

Some trips are straightforward. Others are not.

You may want additional support if:

• You’re relocating internationally
• Your pet is near weight limits
• Your breed faces restrictions
• You’re connecting through multiple countries
• Documentation timelines overlap with travel dates

This is where structure rather than last-minute problem solving changes the entire experience.

Air Canada Breed Restrictions and Snub-Nosed Dogs

Air Canada restricts many brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risk, including:

• French Bulldogs
• English Bulldogs
• Pugs
• Persian cats

In some cases, in-cabin exceptions may be granted with veterinary documentation, but approval is case-specific and not guaranteed.

Breed restrictions are one of the most confusing parts of airline pet travel. We always recommend confirming airline policy and having a documented backup plan.

Inside Paws Abroad, we flag snub-nosed risk points and suggest safer alternatives (route/season/aircraft considerations).

Service Dogs vs Emotional Support Animals on Air Canada

Air Canada:

• Allows trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, to fly free with proper documentation
• Does not recognize emotional support animals (ESAs) as service animals

Emotional support animals must travel under standard pet rules, carrier requirements, and pet fees.

Understanding this distinction early prevents uncomfortable conversations at the airport and ensures you prepare the correct paperwork.

International Pet Travel Requirements When Flying Air Canada

Flying internationally with a pet on Air Canada also requires meeting destination-country import regulations, which may include:

• Veterinary health certificates
• Rabies vaccination records
• Microchipping
• Import permits
• Country-specific treatments or waiting periods

Airline approval does not replace country entry requirements both must be satisfied.

Common Reasons Pets Are Denied Boarding on Air Canada

Even when pet parents believe they’ve followed Air Canada’s pet policy correctly, denied boarding still happens. In almost every case we’ve seen, the issue is not the pet it’s a technical or procedural detail that was overlooked.

The most common reasons pets are denied boarding on Air Canada include:

• Combined pet + carrier weight exceeding 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Non-compliant carrier type or dimensions
• Cabin pet space already filled on the flight
• Incomplete or expired documentation for international travel
• Breed restrictions not confirmed in advance
• Payment for pet travel not completed within the required window

Denied boarding is rarely personal it’s procedural. This is why checking eligibility before booking, not just before departure, makes such a difference.

It’s also important to note that Air Canada enforces seasonal heat embargoes on certain routes. You can see how these restrictions work, and when they apply, in our Summer Pet Travel Restrictions 2026 guide

We built safeguards into our planning flow specifically to flag these risk points early, when there’s still time to adjust routes or travel methods.

Why Planning Pet Travel Early Makes a Difference

From coordinating hundreds of international pet relocations, the biggest factors for a smooth experience are:

• Booking pet space early
• Understanding airline-specific rules
• Choosing the right travel method for your pet
• Preparing documentation well in advance

This is also where having a clear system, rather than scattered notes and screenshots, makes everything feel more manageable.

Wondering how much the required health certificate actually costs?
We break down vet fees, endorsements, airline requirements, and total expected costs in our Complete Health Certificate Cost Guide (2026)

Check-in and Airport Procedures for Pets

• Pets must be checked in at the airport counter; airport self service kiosks cannot be used.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than recommended check-in time.
• Pets traveling in the cabin count as your carry on; no additional carry on bag is allowed.
• Flight crew and ground staff may need access to your pet in emergencies; do not lock the crate door.

Connecting Flights and Code Share Considerations

• Pets must be booked on the same flight and same carrier for connecting flights.
• Flights operated by other airlines may have different pet policies; check carefully.
• Pets are not accepted on some Air Canada codeshare flights operated by other airlines.

We’ve seen people do everything right… then get rebooked onto a partner airline that doesn’t accept cabin pets on that aircraft. That’s when it turns into a scramble.

If your itinerary has connections, Paws Abroad helps you sanity-check each leg before you pay aircraft + partner rules included.

Popular Destinations and Route-Specific Restrictions

• Pets are not permitted in the cabin or baggage compartment on flights to/from Australia, Barbados, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago.
• Some aircraft, including Boeing 737 MAX 8, do not allow pets in the baggage compartment.
• Seasonal temperature restrictions apply to protect pets from heat stroke or cold stress.
• Popular U.S. destinations like Las Vegas, Dallas Fort Worth, West Palm, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, and Fort Myers may have specific restrictions; check in advance.

Air Canada Pet Policy FAQs (Common Questions)

How much does Air Canada charge to fly with a pet?

Air Canada charges approximately $50–59 CAD for domestic in-cabin pet travel and $100–118 CAD for international flights, per direction.

Can dogs fly in the cabin on Air Canada?

Yes, small dogs can fly in the cabin on Air Canada if the combined weight of the dog and carrier does not exceed 10 kg (22 lbs).

Does Air Canada allow cats in the cabin?

Yes, cats are permitted in the cabin on Air Canada under the same weight and carrier requirements as dogs.

What size pet carrier does Air Canada allow?

Air Canada requires soft-sided pet carriers that fit fully under the seat and allow adequate ventilation.

Can emotional support animals fly on Air Canada?

No. Air Canada no longer recognizes emotional support animals. ESAs must travel as regular pets and follow standard pet policy rules.

How early should I book my pet on Air Canada?

Pet space should be booked as soon as your flight is confirmed, ideally the same day.

How much does a pet health certificate cost for Air Canada?

Costs vary by country, vet, and whether endorsement is required.
See our full Health Certificate Cost Guide (2026) for a country-by-country breakdown.

Sources & Policy References

• Air Canada Official Pet Policy
• Air Canada Cargo AC Animals Program
• IATA Live Animal Regulations
• DOT Service Animal Rules

If you’re comparing airlines or planning multi-country travel, our 2026 International Pet Travel Guide walks through the full process step by step.

If you’ve read this far, you already know that flying with a pet on Air Canada isn’t difficult but it is precise. The difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one usually comes down to timing, documentation, and understanding the details before you book.

Paws Abroad helps you turn airline rules into a clear plan tailored to your pet and route.