Air Canada

Booking an AC Animals shipment is easy with Air Canada Cargo. Our knowledgeable and experienced booking agents will help you through the booking process and will provide the information you need to ensure a secure and comfortable flight for your animal.

How to Book a Shipment

Bookings can be made up to 30 days prior to departure and must be made no later than the times indicated in the table below, depending on the destination.

You can also email: [email protected]

Before you call, please see our Shipper’s Checklist 

Due to some aircraft types, weight, weather and regulatory restrictions and AC Animals Restrictions, we may not be able to transport your shipment to all the destinations we serve. Your Air Canada Cargo station can help.

Before calling to make a booking, please have the following information available:

• Shipping information:

• Shipper's name, address, telephone numbers

• Consignee/recipient name, address, telephone numbers

• City of origin and destination

• Documentation that may be required for transport

• About the animal:

• Type of animal and breed

• Age

• Weight, length and height

• Name

• Kennel dimensions (for cats and dogs)

You are welcome to bring your cat or small dog in the cabin with you provided it is small enough to stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you. You may do so on:

Flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge

Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian or Exploits Valley Air

Just remember that your pet in its carrier will count as one standard item toward your carry-on baggage allowance.

Your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:

Are an unaccompanied minor

Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row

Require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat

Are travelling in Premium Economy on a Boeing 787-8 (788), Boeing 787-9 (789) or A330-300 (333) aircraft

Your pet can't fly in the cabin with you? It can still travel safely and comfortably on the same flight as you, in the pressurized cargo compartment of most of our aircraft.

On which flights can I travel with my cat or dog?

Your cat or dog can travel with you if you’re travelling on:

A flight operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge

An Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian or Exploits Valley Air

See specific pet carrier size and weight restrictions beneath table for Air Georgian and Exploits Valley Air flights.

The US Center for Disease Control requires that all dogs travelling to or being transported to the United Sates be fully immunized against rabies prior to entering the US.

The rabies vaccination must be administered no earlier than 12 weeks of age, and at least 30 days before arrival at a US port of entry. This means the youngest that a puppy can be to enter the US is 4 months of age.

Proof of immunization will be required for all dogs travelling to the US. Please make sure to have this documentation with you when bringing a dog to Air Canada Cargo.

On Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR  aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed these dimensions :

Height: 21 cm (8.25 in) in height,

Width: 38 cm (15 in)

Length: 43 cm (17 in)

In our cabins equipped with lie-flat beds, only small or miniature dogs and cats are allowed. Soft-sided carriers are recommended, and they must not exceed these dimensions:

Height : 28 cm (11 in)

Width: 21 cm (8 in)

Length: 41 cm (16 in)

It must be leak proof and well ventilated. Both soft-sided (preferred) and hard-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin.

It must be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down safely and comfortably. No part of the pet may extend outside the carrier.  Your pet could be refused travel if the carrier is deemed to be too small for the size of the animal.

The pet must remain in the carrier and the carrier must remain under the seat and closed at all times.

It will count as the one standard carry-on item, which you’re allowed to bring on board.

It’s important to always remove your pet’s leash before placing it in its carrier.

The carrier can contain a maximum of 2 dogs (each weighing no more than 14 kg/31 lb) who are used to cohabitation. Note that the applicable fee will be charged twice.

If the carrier is equipped with wheels, these must be removed prior to check-in.

To be accepted for travel in the checked baggage compartment, the pet carrier must be:

Hard-sided. Most carriers are made of hard plastic with holes for ventilation.

Collapsible carriers are not accepted, nor are wire carriers as no part of your pet may extend outside the carrier.

Secure and leak proof. The door of the pet carrier must close securely and your pet must not be able to easily push the door open.

Large enough to allow your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, as per international regulations.

If the pet carrier is not large enough for your pet to do this, we must refuse transport.

Cats :

British Shorthair

Burmese

Exotic Shorthair

Himalayan

Persian

Scottish Fold

Dogs :

Affenpinscher

Boston Terrier

Boxer

Brussels Griffon

Bulldog - all breeds including the American, English, French and Dutch Bulldog

Chihuahua (apple-headed)

Chow Chow

English Toy Spaniel

Japanese Chin

Lhasa Apso

Pekingese

Pug - all breeds including the Chinese Pug

Shar-Pei

Shih Tzu

Teddy Bear (also known as Zuchon or Shichon)

Tibetan Spaniel

Breeds defined as Strong Breeds

Certain dog breeds are classified as strong dogs and must be transported in a special reinforced container or crate when travelling in the baggage compartment.

About the container or crate:

The container must be constructed of weld or wire mesh, metal, wood or a synthetic material other than plastic. The crate door must be made of wire mesh, metal or wood and should have a secure lock that can’t be opened accidentally.

We reserve the right to refuse any animal that exhibits aggressive behavior and/or cage destruction.

Only one cat or small dog in the cabin is allowed per passenger.

Your pet must:

Be at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned.

Remain at all times in a closed pet carrier stowed under your seat.

You’ll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. Passengers travelling with pets cannot check in online or at airport self-service kiosks.

Pets may not travel in the baggage compartment of all or some of our aircraft on the dates and for the reasons listed below. Please note also that temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments are available only on certain aircraft.

Cold weather restrictions

November 1 to March 31 and at any other time when temperature is 0 °C (32 °F) or below

Cats and dogs weighing less than 4.5 kg (10 lb) are not accepted in the baggage compartment of any of our aircraft.

Pets are not accepted on the following flights and aircraft:

Bombardier CRJ100/200 (CRJ)

Bombardier CRJ900 (CR9)

Embraer 175 (E75)

Embraer 190 (E90)

It is not recommended to transport animals as checked baggage on our Airbus A319-100, A320-200 and A321-200 aircraft: the cargo compartment is not heated and temperatures can be as low as 2 °C (36 °F).

Summer heat restrictions

Because not all our aircraft are equipped with temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments, it may not always be possible to accommodate your pet when summer temperatures exceed 29.5°C (85°F).

During these periods of high heat, we recommend that you travel early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower and, whenever possible, that you choose a direct or non-stop flight to limit the time your pet will be spending in the baggage compartment.

Most Pets Cannot Travel During Periods of Extreme Heat

For their safety and comfort Air Canada Cargo does not accept warm-blooded animals for transport when the outside ground temperature is higher than 29.5°C (85°F). If the temperature is 29.5°C or higher at the departure city, the destination, or any point in between on a route with connections, animals will not be accepted and will therefore be rebooked for the next available flight(s).

May 15 to September 30

US extreme heat restrictions: Due to extreme heat and USDA regulations, the transport of live animals (both warm-blooded and cold-blooded) is prohibited or strictly regulated to and from airports in the following cities: Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH) Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO) and Phoenix International (PHX).

July 1 to August 31

Asia/Middle East extreme heat restrictions: Due to extreme heat, the transport of warm-blooded live animals is prohibited or strictly regulated to and from airports in countries within Asia and the Middle East.

November 1 to March 31

Extreme cold restriction for hairless breeds: For their comfort and security, Air Canada Cargo will not transport hairless breeds of cats and dogs during the winter months.

Limitations on travel in unheated cargo holds: Live animals are not accepted as cargo on some of our narrowbody fleet, as the cargo holds of these aircraft are not heated. Reptiles, amphibians, live tropical fish, insects, worms, bees, live coral rock and rodent species are permitted during this period provided the packaging meets IATA Live Animal Regulations container requirements and the appropriate waiver is filled out by the shipper.

December 15 to January 12

Holiday Restrictions, Canada and United States: Cats and dogs are not accepted for transport with Air Canada Cargo within Canada and to and from the United States, or on international flights with a connection in Canada during this time. This restriction applies to shipments from breeders, kennels and freight forwarders, and to pets travelling as checked baggage. Cats and dogs are allowed on all other direct flights (destined elsewhere than to Canada and the United States). This restriction does not apply to other animals.

Exception:

Day old chicks, cold-blooded animals, provided they are tendered in containers that adhere to the current IATA Live Animal Container requirements.

The minimum age for puppies and kittens is 12 weeks. Those under 12 weeks of age will not be accepted for carriage. However, specific countries have their own regulations with regards to immunizations and age limits. If your animal is travelling to another country, including the United States, please make sure to verify with that country’s animal importation regulations to make sure your animal is of age to travel.

A valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required for all puppies and kittens travelling on Air Canada Cargo, including those travelling within Canada.

Females with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation.

Shipment of females in heat (estrus) is not recommended.

$50 to $60 each way (cabin) - $105 to $120 each way (cargo) - North America more elsewhere

888-247-2262