Canada is a vast country, with its cities separate by huge distances. It’s no surprise then that one of the easiest ways to travel in Canada, including if you have a pet, is by flying, especially if you have a dog or cat small enough to fly in the cabin.
But which Canadian airlines allow pets to fly with you in the cabin? While the majority of Canadian airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Plus the pet policies of Canadian airlines vary.
To help you with planning to fly within Canada with your pet, or to and from Canada, I’ve reviewed the pet policies of every major Canadian airline as at December 2023. Find out size and weight restrictions, fees and other key points for flying with different airlines.
Read on to find out more about Canadian airlines that allow dogs in the cabin…
Do Any Canadian Airlines Not Allow Pets in the Cabin?
Most Canadian airlines allow small pets to fly with you in the cabin on flights. However, there is one exception.
The following Canadian airline don’t allow pets to fly in the cabin:
- Sunwing
(Up until recently, PAL Airlines also didn’t allow pets in the cabin, but this changed in November 2023, except on Air Borealis flights.)
Note also that pets are often not permitted to fly in the cabin to certain international destinations. such as on flights to the United Kingdom. Plus some airlines don’t allow pets on certain flights, such as Flair Airlines flights to and from Mexico.
Do Any Canadian Airlines Have No Weight Limit?
A growing number of Canadian airlines have no maximum weight limit for pets flying in the cabin. This applies on the following pet-friendly Canadian airlines:
- Air Canada
- PAL Airlines
- Porter Airlines
- WestJet
Note though that there are maximum dimensions for pet carriers, as they need to fit under the seat in front, and your pet will need to comfortably fit and move inside their carrier, often with a requirement that they don’t touch the roof of the carrier.
What Are the Weight Limits on Other Canadian Airlines?
On other Canadian airlines, the most common weight limit is 10kg (22 lbs), including the carrier. However, some airlines do have higher or lower weigh limits.
The following Canadian airlines have a weight limit higher than 10kg:
- Flair Airlines – 23 lbs (10.4kg)
The following Canadian airlines have a weight limit lower than 10kg:
- Air Transat flights operated by Smartlynx Airlines – 8kg (17.6 lbs)
What PETC Fees are Charged by Canadian Airlines?
The fees charged by Canadian airlines for pets to fly in the cabin (PETC) are quite reasonable.
On domestic flights within Canada, the typical fee for a pet in the cabin is around $50 CAD, although it can be as high as $86.25 CAD with some airlines.
Often the same fee applies on flights to and from the USA, except for Hawaii. On other international flights, fees range between $100 CAD and $118 CAD.
Sometimes, higher fee apply if they are only paid at the airport, instead of in advance.
Do Any Canadian Airlines Allow Seats to Be Booked for Pets?
Finally, do any airlines in Canada allow you to book a seat for your pet? Unfortunately, there are no Canadian airline that mentions that this is possible.
However, don’t entirely rule it out. I recommend calling and double checking directly with the airline. Or check out my guide to airlines around the world that offer the option to buy a seat for your pet dog, including some US airlines.
And here’s the key details of the pet policies of all the major Canadian airlines…
Air Canada Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
Air Canada permits both cats and dogs to fly in the cabin, as long as they are small enough to fit in a carrier underneath the seat in front of your. There are some international destinations that are excluded, plus pets are not permitted in Premium Economy cabins.
Your pet should fly in a soft-sided carrier no larger than 55 x 40 x 27cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 inches), or a rigid carriers no higher than 23 cm (9 inches). However, there are some smaller size limits on selected aircraft, see the website for full details. There is no maximum weight limit.
Only one pet is permitted per passenger, with the carrier taking the place of your carry-on bag. A fee of $50 CAD/USD applies for flights within Canada or between Canada and the US (except to and from Hawaii). A fee of $100 CAD/USD applies on other international flights.
As the pet in their carrier already takes the place of your carry-on bag, pet strollers and car seats are only accepted as checked baggage, not carry-on baggage.
Air Canada allows you to cancel your booking within 24 hours free-of-charge, so try to add your pet to your booking during this time period – and cancel if you are not able to.
See the full pet policy.
Air Transat Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
The Canadian airline Air Transat permits pets to fly in the cabin, as well as in the checked baggage hold. Only domestic cats and dogs are accepted in the cabin, including certified service and emotional support dogs.
If planning to fly internationally, check whether pets are accepted on flights to and from your destination, plus any additional requirements. Certain breeds of dogs are not accepted, plus extra requirements apply for Brachycephalic dogs and cats.
No hard-sided carriers are permitted on Air Transat flights, only soft-sided carriers up to 43.2 x 25.5 x 24.1cm (17 x 10 x 9.5 inches). There is a weight limit of 10kg on flights operated by Air Transat, while a lower weight limit of 8kg applies on flights operated by Smartlynx Airlines.
Advanced bookings are required for pets in the cabin, at least 72 hours in advance. The availability of space can be checked online. Only one pet is permitted by passenger, in substitution of a carry-on bag.
Pet fees start at $50 CAD for flights within Canada and the United States, and increase to $100 CAD for flights to and from Europe and South America. Higher fees apply if the fee is not paid in advance, but instead at the airport.
See the full pet policy.
Canadian North Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
The domestic Canadian North airline allows pets to fly in the cabin, as well as in the hold as checked baggage or cargo. Bookings need to be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling the call centre or emailing the airline.
A variety of small animals are permitted in the cabin, including small dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and birds. Dogs and cats may travel in a soft-sided carrier, while other species need to travel in a rigid kennel.
The maximum dimensions of kennels are limited to 48 x 40 x 22cm (19 x 16 x 9 inches) on 737 aircraft, and a smaller 46 x 20 x 22cm (18 x 8 x 9 inches) on ATR aircraft. The maximum weight in either case is 10kg (20 lbs).
Only a single carrier with a single pet is permitted per passenger, which counts towards your carry-on baggage limits. A charge of $86.25 CAD inclusive of taxes in each direction.
See the full pet policy.
Flair Airlines Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
Flair Airlines welcomes small dogs and cats to fly with you in the cabin. However this only applies to Flair Airlines flights within Canada and the United States, not on their flights to Mexico, Jamaica and Dominican Republic.
Pets need to fly in a soft-sided, airline-approved carrier. It should be no larger than 41 x 25 x 23cm (16 x 10 x 9 inches), with a maximum weight of 10.4kg (23 lbs), including your pet. The carrier counts towards your standard carry-on allowance.
Only one pet is permitted per passenger, with a limit of six animals per flight. The pet fee must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance. It is usually $79 CAD plus taxes online, or $99 plus taxes at the airport.
See the full pet policy.
Pacific Coastal Airlines Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
Pacific Coastal Airlines is a domestic airline that operates in British Colombia. It permits small dogs, cats, rabbits and birds to fly in the cabin, as well as larger pets as checked baggage.
Your pet should weight no more than 10kg (22 lbs), including their kennel. The kennel should be soft-sided and airline-approved, and be no larger than 43 x 25.4 x 25.4cm (17 x 10 x 10 inches). Your pet must be able to stand naturally inside the kennel, without touching the roof.
Only a single animal is permitted per kennel, and a single kennel per passenger. The kennel will count towards your carry-on limit.
Ideally book your pet within 24 hours of your own ticket, as least 48 hours before flight departure. A pet fee of $52.50 CAD applies per direction per kennel.
See the full pet policy.
PAL Airlines Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
As of 3 November 2023, PAL Airlines now allows small dogs and cats to fly with you in the cabin, except on Air Borealis flights. Additionally, larger dogs can fly in the hold as checked baggage.
For small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin, they must be in an approved soft-sided carrier kennel or bag no larger than 36.8 x 38.1 x 27.9 cm (14.5 x 15 x 11 inches), and able to stand and turn-around in it. There is no weight limit.
Only one pet is permitted per person, and they will count as your one carry-on item permitted in the cabin. A booking for your pet needs to be made by phone or email after your own reservation.
On domestic flights, the fee is $50 CAD plus applicable taxes. The pet fee on international flights is $100 CAD plus applicable taxes. Additionally, pet strollers and pet car seats are accepted as checked baggage, with checked baggage rules applying.
See the full pet policy.
Porter Airlines Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
Porter Airlines flies to destinations across Canada and the United States. It permits small dogs and house cats to fly in the cabin. No pets are flown in the hold on Porter Airlines flights.
Only soft-sided carriers are accepted, that should be no larger than 55 x 40 x 27cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 inches). Previously, a weight limit of 10kg (22 lbs) applies to pets, but this is no longer listed on their website.
Only one pet is permitted per carrier, and only a single carrier per passenger. In addition, you can only bring onboard a personal item. The fee for flying a pet in the cabin varies between $50 and $57.50 ($50.00 CAD/USD plus applicable taxes) per direction.
Bookings are required at least 24 hours in advance and ideally as early as possible, particularly as only two pets are permitted on each flight. Book your pet as part of your booking or through the call centre.
See the full pet policy.
Sunwing Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No
This low-cost Canadian airline does not permit pets to fly in its aircraft, including in the cabin. Only service and emotional support dogs can be accommodated on Sunwing flights.
See their FAQ.
WestJet Pet Policy
Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes
Pets are welcome to fly on WestJet flights, both in the cabin plus as checked baggage or cargo. Cats, small dogs and birds are accepted in the cabin, subject to entrance requirements, except for on flights to or from Barbados, Hawaii, Ireland (Dublin), Jamaica or the United Kingdom.
Only one pet is permitted per guest and kennel, which should be soft-sided and no larger than 41 x 25.4 x 21.5cm (16 x 10 x 8.5 inches). There is no weight limit. The available size beneath the seat varies by aircraft. Your pet’s kennel replaces your personal item or carry-on bag on the flight.
A fee of $50-59 CAD/USD applies for pets flying in the cabin on flights within Canada, or between Canada and the United States. A fee of $100-118 CAD/USD applies on flights to other international destinations.
Pets can only be added to your booking by calling the contact centre, ideally as least 48 hours in advance. It’s strongly recommended that entrance requirements are checked before travelling in or out of any province, territory or across borders.
See the full pet policy.
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- What are the Most Pet-Friendly Airlines Around the World?
- Which US Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?
- Which North & South American Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?
- Which European Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
I have a 17 pound bichon poo. Want to travel with him to Florida I want him in cabin with me. I’m from Toronto Canada. I think his length is too long for a carrier
Some of the airlines are being more strict about whether pets can comfortably fit in their carriers, so it’s good to be cautious. The main issue is usually height. Usually the airlines don’t strictly enforce carrier size (as long as they squish down under the seat), so it’s good to check out the different airline carriers in person (even slightly larger ones) to see how your bichon poo fits.