Air Canada Pet Policy 2026: Fees, Carrier Sizes & How to Book

Air Canada takes pets in the cabin on domestic and US routes for $50 CAD each way — the cheapest cabin pet fee among major North American carriers. International routes cost $100 CAD. The combined weight limit is 10 kg (22 lbs) for pet and carrier.

Since June 2025, only soft-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin. And here's the catch most travelers miss: carrier size limits vary by aircraft type, and the mainline jets most people fly have significantly smaller dimensions than you'll find on competitor airlines.

Larger pets fly in the checked baggage compartment or through AC Animals, Air Canada's dedicated cargo program. This guide covers cabin and cargo rules, carrier sizes by aircraft, breed restrictions, temperature embargoes, and how to book from the US.

In-Cabin Travel

Air Canada allows cats and small dogs in the cabin. One pet per passenger, and your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned.

Fees

The fee covers one direction. Round trip means paying twice.

On Economy Basic fares, your pet carrier counts as your carry-on — you get the carrier plus one personal item, nothing else. All other Economy fares let you bring the carrier in addition to your normal carry-on allowance.

Carrier Rules

As of June 1, 2025, Air Canada only accepts soft-sided carriers in the cabin. Hard-sided kennels and backpack carriers with plastic windows are banned on all Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express flights.

Your carrier must be waterproof on the bottom with an absorbent pet pad, and ventilated on at least three sides for domestic/US routes or four sides for international flights.

Carrier Size by Aircraft

This is where Air Canada trips people up. The carrier dimensions depend on which aircraft you're flying, and the limits on mainline jets are tighter than most US airlines.

The mainline dimensions — 20 cm tall, 43 cm long — are noticeably smaller than what Delta, United, or American allow. A carrier that fits perfectly on a US domestic flight may not clear Air Canada's under-seat space on a 787 or 777.

Watch Out

Check your aircraft type before buying a carrier. A standard 21" soft-sided carrier that works on every US airline won't fit on most Air Canada mainline jets, which cap at 17" long and 8" tall. Regional aircraft allow 22" × 10" — but if your connection is on a mainline jet, the smaller limit applies.

Where Pets Can't Fly in Cabin

• Premium Economy — seat layout doesn't fit a carrier underneath
• Exit rows and bulkhead seats
• Air Canada Jetz flights
• Unaccompanied minors can't bring pets

Pets are allowed in the Maple Leaf Lounges — your pet must stay in the carrier, but you can use the lounge normally while waiting. One of the few airlines that allows this.

Route Restrictions (Cabin and Checked)

Pets can't travel in cabin or checked baggage to these destinations — AC Animals cargo is the only option:

• Australia, New Zealand
• United Kingdom, Ireland
• Hawaii
• Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago
• Hong Kong (inbound)

Checked Baggage (Cargo Hold)

Dogs and cats that don't fit in the cabin can fly in the pressurized cargo hold as checked baggage on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Jazz-operated Air Canada Express flights. Not available on codeshare flights operated by partner airlines.

Your kennel must be hard-sided and IATA-compliant — no collapsible carriers, no wire crates. Maximum linear dimensions (L + W + H): 292 cm / 115 inches. Maximum combined weight: 45 kg / 100 lbs.

Up to 2 puppies or kittens (12 weeks to 6 months, same species) can share one kennel.

Wheels must be removed. Kennels are secured with zip ties at check-in — don't lock the door, staff need emergency access.

Winter Restrictions

From November through March, the cargo hold becomes riskier:

• Pets under 4.5 kg (10 lbs) can't fly in the cargo hold on any aircraft
• Boeing 737 MAX 8 cargo hold is closed to pets entirely (minimal heating)
• Embraer 175 flights don't accept pets
• A319, A320, and A321 cargo holds are unheated — Air Canada recommends against transporting animals on these aircraft in winter

AC Animals (Cargo Program)

For pets that can't travel as cabin or checked baggage — unaccompanied animals, oversized kennels over 45 kg, routes where cabin/checked isn't available (Hawaii, UK, Ireland), or more than 2 pets — Air Canada Cargo operates the AC Animals program.

Call 1-866-615-1155 (6 AM – 9:45 PM EST, 7 days a week) to book. Advance notice varies:

• Domestic Canada: 10 hours minimum
• Canada–US: 24 hours minimum
• International: 5 days minimum

Pets must be at least 16 weeks old for cargo. You'll need a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and proof of rabies vaccination.

Air Canada operates a PetStop facility at Toronto Pearson where cargo animals get comfort stops and kenneling during layovers. All pets are transported to the aircraft in temperature-controlled vehicles.

Do not sedate your pet. Atmospheric pressure changes at altitude can cause dangerous reactions in sedated animals. Air Canada will refuse a visibly sedated pet at drop-off. Natural calming aids are different — prescription sedation is the problem.

Temperature Embargoes

Air Canada has some of the most extensive temperature embargoes of any carrier. Checked baggage and cargo pets are blocked when ground temps exceed 29.5°C (85°F) or drop below 0°C (32°F) at any point in the journey.

US Summer Embargoes (Checked Baggage)

May 1 – November 30, no pets in checked baggage to or from:

Atlanta, Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Sarasota, Tampa Bay, West Palm Beach

That's most of the US Sun Belt, blocked for seven months of the year.

Holiday Blackout

• December 18 – January 4: No pets in checked baggage on any flight
• December 15 – January 12: No pets through AC Animals cargo in North America

If you're traveling with a pet over the holidays, cabin is your only option — and even that depends on availability.

International Embargoes (Selected)

These apply to checked baggage. AC Animals cargo has similar restrictions — call to confirm for your specific route.

Breed Restrictions

Flat-Faced (Brachycephalic) Breeds

Flat-faced breeds are banned from the cargo hold and checked baggage due to respiratory risks in pressurized, temperature-variable environments. They can still fly in the cabin if they meet the 10 kg weight limit.

Dogs: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldogs (all types including American, English, French, Dutch), Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pugs (all types), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Teddy Bear (Zuchon/Shichon), Tibetan Spaniel, and their cross-breeds.

Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold, and their cross-breeds.

Strong/Aggressive Breeds

These breeds fly in the cargo hold only and need reinforced crates — wire mesh, metal, or wood construction (no plastic). Air Canada reserves the right to refuse any animal showing aggressive behavior.

Caucasian Ovcharka, Kangal, Pit Bulls (all types including American Pit Bull, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Mastiffs (all types including Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Presa Canario, Fila Brasileiro, Dogue de Bordeaux), Rottweilers, English Bull Terriers, and Wolf Dog Hybrids. Puppies 3–6 months old are exempt from the reinforced crate rule.

Dogs Entering the US: CDC Rules

Since August 1, 2024, dogs arriving in the US from any country face CDC entry rules. Cats are unaffected.

For dogs arriving from Canada (a low-risk rabies country):

• Submit the CDC Dog Import Form online before departure
• Dog must be at least 6 months old
• Dog must be microchipped (universal scanner-readable)
• Dog must appear healthy at check-in

For dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country in the past 6 months, stricter rules apply — check the CDC dog import page for your specific situation.

Service Animals

Trained service dogs fly free in the cabin on Air Canada.

On US routes, up to 2 service dogs per passenger, including psychiatric service dogs. Submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before departure.

Emotional support animals are not accepted as of January 2021. ESAs travel as regular pets with standard fees.

Booking Process

1. Book your flight through Air Canada's website, app, or a travel agent.
2. Call Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262 to register your pet. Pet reservations cannot be made online — phone only.
3. Register within 24 hours of booking your flight. If Air Canada can't accommodate your pet, your ticket is refunded without charge within that window. After 24 hours, change fees apply.
4. Arrive 30 minutes earlier than the recommended check-in time. You must see an agent at the counter — no online or kiosk check-in when traveling with a pet.
5. At security: Remove your pet from the carrier, carry them through the metal detector, and send the empty carrier through the X-ray belt. Build in extra time.

If you change your flight online or through a travel agent, you need to separately call Air Canada to update the pet reservation. A call center agent handles both simultaneously.

Tip

Call to register your pet the same day you book. Air Canada limits cabin pets to about 7 per flight, and there's no way to see availability online. If spots are full, you'll want to know before your 24-hour refund window closes.

Common Mistakes

Tips for Flying Air Canada with Your Pet

The cabin fee is a bargain. At $50 CAD (~$36 USD) each way for domestic and US routes, Air Canada is less than a quarter of what US carriers charge. Delta, American, and United all charge $150 each way. If you're flying a Canada-US route, you save over $200 round trip on pet fees alone.

Maple Leaf Lounge access with pets. Air Canada is one of the few airlines that welcomes pets in their lounges. Your pet stays in the carrier, but you can wait in comfort — especially useful for long layovers at Toronto Pearson or Vancouver.

Codeshare flights won't take your pet. If your itinerary includes a leg operated by a partner airline (United, Lufthansa, etc.), that carrier's pet policy applies — and your Air Canada pet reservation won't transfer. Confirm every flight segment is operated by Air Canada, Jazz, Sky Regional, or Air Georgian.

The allergy policy can bump your pet. On aircraft without HEPA filters, if another passenger reports a pet allergy, Air Canada may remove your pet from the flight. On HEPA-equipped aircraft, they create a five-row buffer zone instead. There's no way to check filter status in advance — just be aware it's a possibility.

How Air Canada Compares

For US travelers flying to Canada or connecting through Canadian hubs:

Air Canada wins on price by a wide margin — $36 USD vs. $150 at every US competitor. The trade-off: phone-only booking, the smallest carrier dimensions of the group, and extensive temperature embargoes that block cargo from most warm-weather US cities for half the year.

FAQ

Your next step: Call 1-888-247-2262 to register your pet the same day you book your flight — Air Canada limits cabin spots to about 7 per flight, phone is the only way to reserve one, and there's no waitlist.