Air Canada runs two sets of rules. On flights to or from the U.S., it follows the U.S. DOT rule: the DOT form 48 hours ahead, up to two dogs, owner-trained dogs welcome. On all other flights, including within Canada, it wants its own form plus an ID card or document from a service dog trainer, and allows one dog. Unlike U.S. airlines, Air Canada still accepts emotional support dogs (dogs only, in a carrier, with a mental health professional's form sent 96 hours ahead).
Which rules apply on Air Canada: U.S. flights vs Canadian flights
- Flights to or from the U.S. The U.S. DOT rule covers foreign airlines "with respect to flights you operate that begin or end at a U.S. airport" (14 CFR 382.7). On those flights Air Canada asks only for the DOT forms, accepts two dogs, and its owner-trained dog program "does not apply to travel to and from the United States".
- Flights within Canada and to other countries. Canadian rules apply. Air Canada's page names Canada's Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR), enforced by the Canadian Transportation Agency. The ATPDR defines a service dog as "a dog that has been individually trained by an organization or person specializing in service dog training to perform a task to assist a person with a disability with a need related to their disability", and lets a carrier ask, before departure, for "an identification card or other document" issued by that organization or person (section 51).
That split explains everything else on this page: a dog that flies easily to Chicago may be refused between Toronto and Vancouver if you trained it yourself.
Service dogs on Air Canada: what Air Canada requires
- Number: "Each passenger may travel with only one service dog. Exception: for flights to/from the U.S., you may travel with two service dogs."
- Deadline: "You must complete and send Air Canada Accessibility Services the following forms at least 48 hours prior to departure." Inside 48 hours, "we'll make a reasonable effort to accommodate requests".
- Control: the dog "must be harnessed, held on a leash, or tethered while not in their kennel."
- Behavior: Air Canada's tariff says the handler assumes full responsibility for the dog's behavior.
- Breed and age: no breed rule and no minimum age for service dogs on the pages we read.
- Proof on non-U.S. flights: "We may ask for proof of certification." A voluntary registry, ours included, is not a trainer-issued ID and will not meet that request.
Air Canada service dog forms: the DOT form and form ACF5018D
U.S. flights: the "U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (English only)", and "For flights of 8 hours or more", the Relief Attestation Form. One caution: the DOT form Air Canada links is the original 2020 edition, whose printed approval expired on December 31, 2023. The DOT's current edition is dated 9.20.24. If you are unsure which Air Canada wants, ask Accessibility Services when you send it. Field by field: how to fill out the DOT service animal form.
All other flights: the "Air Canada Service Animal Form" (ACF5018D) plus "identification or other documents issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training. This card or document should identify the person requiring the service dog, and attest that the dog has been individually trained by the organization or person to perform a task". CNIB cardholders do not need the form but must still book the dog.
Both go to Air Canada Accessibility Services at least 48 hours before departure; the address is on the forms and on Air Canada's service dog page. Air Canada does not say how long an approval lasts.
Owner-trained service dogs and Cabin-Ready Canines
On non-U.S. flights, Air Canada says: "In provinces where no government certification program exists, customers whose dogs were not trained by an organization or an individual specializing in service dog training are not currently accepted for domestic or international travel with Air Canada."
There are three ways through. Air Canada accepts government certifications from Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. In Ontario and Quebec, its "Cabin-Ready Canines" program with K-9 Country Inn evaluates and certifies owner-trained or non-ADI-trained dogs so they can fly within Canada and internationally (K-9 Country Inn sets the fee). And on flights to or from the U.S., none of this applies: the DOT form is enough, and the form lets you name yourself as the trainer.
Psychiatric service dogs on Air Canada
On U.S. flights, a psychiatric service dog is a service dog like any other under the DOT rule, with no mental health letter. On other flights the Canadian definition applies: the dog must be trained to perform a task, by an organization or person that specializes in service dog training, and Air Canada wants that trainer's ID or document. An owner-trained psychiatric service dog therefore needs one of the certification routes above for a flight within Canada. If your dog provides comfort rather than a trained task, the emotional support dog rules below apply. More in our psychiatric service dog guide.
Emotional support dogs on Air Canada
Air Canada is the only airline in our research that still carries emotional support animals as their own category, with limits:
- Dogs only: "Only dogs are accepted as emotional support animals." One per passenger, at least 10 weeks old.
- In a carrier: the dog must fit "in an approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you" and "remain in their carrier for the full duration of your trip". If it does not fit, it can travel "in the pressurized baggage compartment available on most of our aircraft".
- Three forms, 96 hours ahead: an "Emotional Support Dog Request - Acknowledgement and Confirmation of Behaviour form", "A Medical/Mental Health Professional Form completed by a licensed medical or mental health professional", and "A Veterinary Health Form". The tariff wants the forms dated within one year, and the vet form within two months.
- Pet conditions: the dog "must meet all the same conditions as pets travelling in the cabin." Air Canada's pages do not say whether the pet fee is charged for an emotional support dog, so ask.
- Which flights: Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights only.
Get the mental health form from your own clinician. For comparison, Air Canada's cabin pet fee is shown as CA/US $100 to $120 by route, soft carriers only since June 1, 2025, not in Premium Economy. See can emotional support animals fly?
Service dogs in training on Air Canada
Not accepted as service dogs: the dog's training must be complete, and we found no trainer exception on Air Canada's pages. A small dog in training could fly as a cabin pet (at least 10 weeks old, in a soft carrier); a larger one as a checked pet in the pressurized hold, which Air Canada prices at CA/US $105 to $126 or $270 to $324 by route, up to 45 kg with the kennel. See service dogs in training.
Seating, size and large dogs on Air Canada
"Service dogs are not allowed in seats and must always remain on the floor in front of the seat." No lap option. If your dog needs more room, ask for extra floor space at least 48 hours ahead: it is "free of charge for flights within Canada. For all other flights, you'll need to purchase extra floor space." That matches the ATPDR, which requires an adjacent seat when a dog cannot lie down safely at your feet and bars charging for it within Canada, but not on international flights (sections 31 and 51). Air Canada staff decide seating with you. For all international trips, see international flights with a service dog.
Contacting Air Canada, and when we last checked
Air Canada's "Service and emotional support dogs" page lists Accessibility Services' contact options; the link is in our sources. We read that page and Air Canada's pets page, rendered live, plus its domestic tariff and the linked forms, on 2026-09-25. Neither page shows a date. For Canadian rules we read the ATPDR and the Canadian Transportation Agency's service dog page on 2026-09-29; the Agency also takes accessibility complaints. Compare WestJet's policy.
Common questions
Does Air Canada accept emotional support animals?
Yes, dogs only. An emotional support dog flies in a carrier under the seat, with three forms including one from a licensed medical or mental health professional, sent at least 96 hours ahead.
Which form does Air Canada need for a service dog?
On flights to or from the U.S., the DOT form (and the relief form for 8 hours or more). On other flights, Air Canada's form ACF5018D plus an ID or document from the dog's trainer.
Can an owner-trained service dog fly Air Canada?
On U.S. flights, yes, with the DOT form. Within Canada and on other routes, only with a government certification from Alberta, British Columbia or Nova Scotia, or through Cabin-Ready Canines in Ontario and Quebec.
How many service dogs can I bring on Air Canada?
One, or two on flights to or from the U.S.
Is extra space for a large service dog free on Air Canada?
Within Canada, yes, if you ask at least 48 hours ahead. On other flights you have to buy it.
Does Air Canada accept service dogs in training?
No. The dog's training must be complete.
Sources
- Air Canada, service and emotional support dogs
- Air Canada, travelling with pets
- Air Canada, Domestic Tariff, Rule 55
- Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations, SOR/2019-244
- Canadian Transportation Agency, service dogs
- 14 CFR 382.7, which carriers the DOT rule covers
- DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (PDF)
General information, not legal advice. Policies and laws change; follow the sources. Last checked September 29, 2026.