Air Canada
Pet travel policy for Air Canada (AC) — based at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Canada.
Policy summary
Air Canada accepts cats and small dogs in the cabin on most Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. The combined weight of the pet plus its carrier must be 22 pounds or less, and the soft- or hard-sided carrier must fit fully under the seat in front of you. The fee is 50–59 CAD within Canada and the United States and 105 CAD/USD on international itineraries, paid at the airport check-in counter. Air Canada Cargo operates the AnimalsFirst program for shipping pets as cargo on a route-by-route basis; it is the program of choice for relocating pets too large to travel in the cabin and is open to non-passengers. Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds are not accepted in cargo at any time, and Air Canada applies temperature embargoes when forecast temperatures along any segment of the routing exceed 29.5C or fall below -10C unless the pet is escorted by a passenger on the same flight. International itineraries to the United Kingdom must use AnimalsFirst because UK rules require live animals to enter as cargo, not as accompanied baggage.
Quick reference
| Cabin pets | Yes — cats & small dogs in approved under-seat carrier |
|---|---|
| Cargo / checked program | Yes — IATA-rated kennel via dedicated cargo division |
| Cabin fee (one-way) | $105 USD (typical, route-dependent) |
| Carrier max dimensions | 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 (hard) / 21.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 (soft) in |
| Weight limit | 22 (pet + carrier) |
| Breed restrictions | AC Cargo AnimalsFirst program; no brachycephalic breeds in cargo. |
| Reservations | 1-888-247-2262 |
| Hub airport | Toronto Pearson (YYZ) |
| Country | Canada |
How to book a pet on Air Canada
Almost every airline requires you to add a pet to your reservation by phone — there is no online self-service for in-cabin or cargo pets at the major carriers, because the airline must confirm there is space on the specific aircraft type and route. Call 1-888-247-2262 within 24 hours of buying your ticket and ask the agent to add the pet to your booking. You will be quoted the fee at the time of booking and pay it at airport check-in. Bring printed proof of vaccinations and a recent veterinary health certificate, especially for international itineraries.
At the airport, plan to arrive 90 minutes before a domestic departure or three hours before an international departure. The airline gate agent will inspect your carrier, attach an in-cabin pet tag, and confirm that your pet meets the under-seat dimension and weight limits. If your animal is travelling in cargo, you will drop them off at the carrier's dedicated cargo-acceptance facility (separate from the passenger terminal) at least four hours before departure for kennel inspection and loading.