10 kg (cabin, dog + carrier combined)
Airline dog policy
Air Canada
Air Canada offers both cabin and cargo pet travel options and stands out for its generous 10 kg cabin weight limit — 2 kg more than most European carriers. This makes it one of the better options for slightly larger dogs that would exceed the standard 8 kg limit on Air France or Lufthansa. Air Canada's network provides excellent connectivity from North America to Europe, Asia, and South America through its major hubs at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Vancouver (YVR).
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
Air Canada charges relatively affordable fees compared to US and European competitors, with domestic one-way fares starting at CAD $67. The airline allows both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers in the cabin, with different maximum dimensions for each type. Soft-sided carriers can be up to 55×40×23 cm, which is quite generous and accommodates most standard pet travel bags. Book your pet by phone at least 24 hours before departure, as online pet booking is not available.
Why it can work
The 10 kg cabin weight limit is a real advantage. A typical adult domestic shorthair weighs 4–5 kg, so you have plenty of headroom for the carrier weight (usually 1.5–2.5 kg). Air Canada's cargo program accepts pets from the general public on many routes, which is increasingly rare among North American carriers. Vancouver (YVR) is an excellent hub for connections to Asia-Pacific destinations. Air Canada's cargo facility at Toronto Pearson has temperature-controlled holding areas for live animals.
Restrictions
Brachycephalic breeds are accepted in the cabin but may face restrictions in cargo during extreme weather. Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old domestically and 15 weeks for international travel. Pets are not allowed on flights to/from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or other destinations with cargo-only import requirements. One pet per carrier, one carrier per passenger. Pets not allowed in Business or Signature Class.
Dog-owner notes
Canada requires dogs entering the country to have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. For travel to the US from Canada, ensure you meet USDA import requirements. For transatlantic or transpacific routes, confirm pet acceptance on the specific aircraft type, as some regional jets do not accept pets in the cabin or cargo. Air Canada's cargo services can be contacted at 1-800-688-2278 for live animal shipments.
Final check before paying
Confirm the exact aircraft, route, dog breed, carrier size, temperature rules and destination import law directly with the airline. A country can allow dogs while a specific airline or aircraft refuses them.