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Air Canada PSD and Emotional Support Animal Policy Guide.

Air Canada permits both emotional support animals and service dogs onboard. You must register your psychiatric service dog (PSD) at least 8 hours before departure and your emotional support animal (ESA) 96 hours in advance. Arrive at the airport 30-45 minutes earlier than usual to complete necessary procedures.
Published
June 21, 2024
Last Updated
June 08, 2026
dr. perry payne

Medical Context Reviewed By:
Dr. Perry Payne
Perry W. Payne, Jr., MD, JD, MPP

dr. perry payne
Legal Accuracy Reviewed by:
Dr. Perry Payne
Attorney & Physician with expertise in health law and disability policy
Prince Sharma
Author
Prince Sharma
Lead Content Strategist and Editorial Director

Air travel with a psychiatric service dog and emotional support animal can be challenging in Air Canada. You might be at the airport waiting for your flight when airport officials restrict your animal, or you might be on the plane with your PSD, and the flight crew denies your special seat request. All these possibilities can affect you badly.

That’s why you need to familiarize yourself with Air Canada’s pet policies and procedures regarding psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals before the travel date.

In this guide, we’ll go over Air Canada’s pet policy so you can ensure a comfortable and memorable flight. We’ll provide all the information you need for a smooth travel experience.

Air Canada plane airborne against a cloudy sky

Is A Psychiatric Service Dog Allowed To Fly With Me?

Air Canada allows psychiatric service dogs or PSDs to accompany you in the cabin free of cost. According to Air Canada guidelines, service dogs must be trained to perform tasks that benefit your disabilities.

Moreover, your service dog must have been trained by a person or organization specializing in service dog training for domestic, international, and Caribbean flights. Your PSD must always remain under your control during travel and be harnessed or tethered if not in its kennel.

What Paperwork Does Southwest Require for a Service Dog?

Under current federal regulations, Southwest Airlines does not require a medical letter or Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) note at the airport. Instead, travelers generally need to complete one required document:

  • U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
    This form acts as a self-certification confirming your service dog’s training, health, and behavior standards and must be submitted according to Southwest’s travel requirements.
  • Secure the Carrier Door Properly
    For animals traveling in cargo, the crate door should be fully secured using the manufacturer’s built-in locking system, such as dial or spring-loaded latches. Avoid using padlocks or zip ties that could prevent airline staff from accessing the crate quickly during an emergency.

Seating Requirements For Service Dogs

Air Canada’s dog policy states that your service dog must fit within your seat’s footprint. If you think your service dog will not comfortably fit at your feet, request additional floor space from the Medical Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before departure. Remember, extra floor space is free of charge for flights within Canada. For all other flights, it is available for purchase. For the price, please get in touch with the airline help desk.

What Are The Documentation Requirements for Service Dogs at Air Canada?

Complete and send the following documents to the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before departure. The documents must be in English.

Flights to the U.S.

All other flights

NOTE: When you submit your forms, you must also provide a document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training. This document should attest that the organization or person has individually trained the service dog. Furthermore, you may also bring your PSD letter to verify your legitimate need for a psychiatric service dog.

What Is A PSD Letter, And How Do You Get It?

A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional confirming a disability-related need for a psychiatric service dog and outlining its therapeutic role. It may be used as supporting medical documentation when preparing for travel or accommodation requests, but it is not, by itself, a substitute for airline-required forms or regulatory requirements under frameworks such as the ACAA (U.S.) or CTA (Canada). Airlines and regulators primarily rely on their own mandatory service animal documentation and attestation forms.

To get a PSD letter, connect with a licensed healthcare professional to discuss your mental health issues and how a service animal might serve your needs. If they believe you have a qualifying medical condition, you will get a signed PSD letter documenting your need for a psychiatric service dog.

With Fast ESA Letter, you will get your PSD letter from home. We will connect you with an LMHP (licensed mental healthcare professional) who will evaluate your needs and provide you with a PSD letter.

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed In Air Canada?

Emotional support animals can travel in their approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you. If your emotional support animal cannot travel comfortably in its carrier, it may be accommodated in the pressurized baggage compartment during travel. Moreover, your emotional support dog must remain in its carrier during your trip.

How Air Canada Handles Emotional Support Animals?

Air Canada does not recognize emotional support animals as a separate category of assistance animals. ESAs must instead travel under the airline’s standard pet policy as either a cabin or checked pet, depending on size and carrier requirements.

Cabin Pet Weight Limit: The combined weight of the animal and its soft-sided carrier is typically limited to 10 kg (22 lbs) for in-cabin travel.

Pet Fees: Standard pet fees apply per segment, with amounts varying based on route (within North America or international travel).

Size Restrictions: If the animal exceeds cabin size or weight limits, it may need to travel as checked baggage, subject to Air Canada’s animal transport conditions and space availability.

What Are The Pet Carrier Requirements In Air Canada?

Your pet’s carrier must be big enough so that your animal can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Furthermore, no part of your animal may extend outside the carrier. Your carrier will count as the one standard carry-on item you are allowed to bring on board.

Maximum carrier size allowed

  • Hard-sided: Length 55cm* Width 40cm* Height 23cm Or Length 21.5 in* Width 15.5 in * Height 9 in,
  • Soft-sided: Length: 55 cm * Width: 40 cm * Height: 27 cm Or Length: 21.5 in * Width: 15.5 in * Height: 10.5 in.

Pet carriers that are more significant than permitted can still be transported in the checked baggage compartment. However, they must not exceed 45 kg (100 lb) in weight or 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height). For information on the fees for transporting large pet carriers, please contact the Air Canada Cargo helpline.

There are exceptions to the general size or type of pet carrier you can bring on board for specific aircraft and cabin types. The exceptions are as follows.

  • Airbus 223, 319, 320, 321, and Boeing 7M8: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 40 cm (15.75 in) * Height 20 cm (7.75 in),
  • Boeing 77W and 77L: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 38 cm (15 in) * Height 21 cm (8.25 in),
  • Boeing 788: Length 35 cm (14.50 in) * Width 40 cm (16 in) * Height 20 cm (8 in),
  • Boeing 789: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 40 cm (16 in) * Height 20 cm (8 in),
  • Business Class of Airbus 333 and Boeing 777, 77L, 77W, 788, 789 (Soft side carrier only): Length 41 cm (16 in) * Width 21 cm (8 in) * Height 28 cm (11 in).

How To Fly On Air Canada With A Psychiatric Service Dog Or Emotional Support Animal?

You must contact the Air Canada help desk and share your traveling requirements with PSD or ESA. While talking with the airlines, provide the details about your animal, such as breed and size/weight of your pet and carrier size, to ensure they qualify for in-cabin travel. They will also ask you to submit the documents. After that, if all goes well under Air Canada’s pet policy, they will register your psychiatric service dog or emotional support animal.

You must register your PSD 8 hours and ESA 96 hours before your reservation and arrive at the airport an extra 30-45 minutes before your flight. It ensures that all necessary arrangements can be made for a smooth travel experience and allows sufficient time for additional check-in procedures related to traveling with a pet.

Traveling Tips With Your PSD Or ESA From Air Canada

  • Feed your pet four to six hours before the trip to avoid any discomfort during travel.
  • Leave the dish in the carrier so the staff can provide water during an extended wait before or after the flight.
  • Always remove your pet’s leash before sending it to its carrier.
  • For cargo travel, the kennel must be secured using built-in locking mechanisms so it cannot open during transit, but it must still allow airline staff emergency access. Do not use padlocks or zip ties that could prevent quick opening if needed.
  • Medicine like Tranquilizers are not recommended.
  • Cover the bottom of the carrier with a soft material or a blanket.
  • Provide water for your pet just before travel and empty the water dish when you check in so your pet doesn’t have a wet and uncomfortable journey.

Is Air Canada Responsible For Taking Care Of My Animal?

Flying with pets on Air Canada is safe, but they don’t take responsibility for caring for or feeding your animal while in transit. You must prepare both the pet carrier and your pet ahead of time. However, they will help ensure your pet is safely boarded and transported and guide you through any specific requirements or procedures you need to follow.

Contact The Airlines For More Information.

Do you need assistance with your psychiatric service dog, emotional support animal, or pet travel in Air Canada? Contact the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before departure.

Phone:

  • 1-800-667-4732 (toll-free for Canada and the United States)
  • 1-514-369-7039 (long-distance charges apply)

Email: acmedical@aircanada.ca

Bottomline

Air Canada’s pet policy is simple to follow. Psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals accompany you in the cabin, provided that they meet specific requirements. You must provide documentation from a licensed mental health professional stating the need for the animal and confirming that it has been trained to behave appropriately in a public setting. Additionally, advance notice and approval from the airline are required to bring these animals on board. Before your travel date, you need to familiarize yourself with Air Canada’s specific policies and procedures regarding psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Behavioral Requirements for Service Dogs and ESAs on Air Canada Flights?

Service dogs and ESAs must behave appropriately in public settings. Aggression, excessive barking, or other disruptive behaviors may result in denial of boarding.

Can Emotional Support Animals Fly to International Destinations with Air Canada?

Yes, but additional documentation may be required to meet the import and export regulations of the destination country. Contact Air Canada for assistance in ensuring compliance.

How Can I Ensure a Stress-Free Travel Experience with My Psychiatric Service Dog or ESA on Air Canada?

Submit all required documents well in advance, prepare a comfortable pet carrier, and follow Air Canada’s feeding and hydration tips for pets. Arrive early for check-in to address any additional procedures.

Can I Bring More Than One Psychiatric Service Dog on Air Canada Flights?

Yes, Air Canada permits emotional support cats in the cabin as long as they are in an approved carrier that fits under the seat.

Can I Change My Seat to Accommodate My Service Dog on Air Canada Flights?

Yes, you can request additional floor space or a seat adjustment by contacting the Medical Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before your flight. This service is free for domestic flights within Canada and available for a fee on international flights.

Can My Service Dog Sit Next to Me on the Plane?

As per Air Canada, service animals are generally required to stay in the space under the seat in front of you. However, small service animals may be allowed to sit on your lap if it can be done safely and without causing disruption.

Can I Bring a Service Dog That Is Still in Training on an Air Canada Flight?

No, Air Canada only permits fully trained service dogs that assist passengers with disabilities. Dogs still in training are not allowed to travel as service animals.

Post Author

Patricia Thompson

Prince Sharma

Prince Sharma is the Lead Content Strategist and Editorial Director with extensive experience in digital health communication, behavioral wellness, and Emotional Support Animal (ESA) laws. He is dedicated to producing accurate, evidence-based, and accessible content that helps readers make informed decisions about their mental and emotional well-being. Working closely with licensed mental health professionals, Prince ensures that all published content reflects the highest standards of reliability and clarity. His work focuses on bridging the gap between mental health education and practical support, empowering individuals to better understand the role of emotional support animals in enhancing quality of life.

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