Traveling With Pets, Service / Specialty Animals

Pets (cats/dogs only) in the Cabin

As of November 3, 2023 we welcome you to travel with your pet cat or small dog in the cabin on our scheduled service flights, provided the pet can stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you.

The pet must be in an approved soft-sided kennel or bag/backpack and must be no bigger than:

Height: 11 inches

Width: 15 inches

Length: 14.5 inches

• There will be a fee to travel with a pet in the cabin; $50 plus applicable taxes for domestic travel, $100 plus applicable taxes for international travel.
• The pet in the cabin must be booked at least 24 hours after you make your reservation as space is sometimes limited.  This can be booked by calling our Customer Care and Reservation Center at 1-800-563-2800 or emailing them at reservations@palairlines.ca or reservationsfr@palairlines.ca for French.
  • At this time, you will be asked the dimensions of the carrier, weight, and breed of your pet.
  • Fee will be collected.
• The carrier must be placed underneath the seat in front of your assigned seat and not obstruct and/or reduce access to aisles. 
• The carrier can be removed from underneath the seat during flight but must be stowed for taxi, take-off, landing and at any time the seat belt sign is illuminated.
• The carrier can not be accepted as a sky check.
• We do not accept you to travel with your pet in the cabin if you are an Unaccompanied Minor.
• We do not accept you to travel with your pet in the cabin if you are seated in emergency exit seating.
• We do not accept you to travel with your pet in the cabin if you use a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat in front of you.
• The pet must always remain in its carrier.
• The carrier must accompany you to the washroom if required.
• The pet carrier will be counted as your one carry on baggage allowance permitted in the cabin.
• One pet per carrier per person in the cabin.
• The pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned.
• The pet must be fully trained.
• You must see an agent at the check in counter prior to proceeding through security for departure lounge when traveling with a pet in the cabin.
• Pet strollers and pet car seats are accepted as checked baggage only and checked baggage rules would apply.
• If your pet appears to be aggressive, in distress, unruly or whose health appears questionable we reserve the right to refuse travel.

– Preparing your pet for travel:

1. Remove your pet’s leash.
2. Feed your pet four to six hours prior to departure, as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.
3. Please exercise your pet before coming to the airport.
4. Tranquilizers and other medications are not recommended. Consult your veterinarian.
    

***Please note pet in the cabin policy does NOT apply for Air Borealis flights

Travelling with Pets as Checked Baggage

• A maximum of two animals will be permitted in one kennel, providing the animals are familiar with each other and they may both stand up and turn around freely.
• The maximum number of kennels per flight is limited, and as such, early booking is encouraged. Please note: During the period from December 15th to January 9th, PAL Airlines will only accept one kennel as checked baggage due to increased loads during the Christmas season.
• PAL Airlines assumes no responsibility for feeding and/or caring for pets nor will PAL Airlines assume responsibility for injury, sickness or death of pets during travel.

For a dog or cat to be accepted for carriage as checked baggage, the following conditions must be met:

1. The caring kennel must be hard-sided, leak-proof, and not allow for any protrusion of the animal’s paws. (Wire cages are not permitted.)
2. Any affixed wheels must be removed by the owner prior to check in.
3. Kennel door must have a secure latch but not be locked with any type of locking mechanism. The pet must be accessible by PAL Airlines.
4. PAL Airlines reserves the right to refuse transport to any animal that appears to be aggressive, in distress, unruly or whose health appears questionable for travel.
5. The animal must be a minimum of 8 weeks old.
6. The kennel must be marked with each pet’s name and the owner’s contact information.
7. Owners are advised to feed their pets only a light meal prior to departure and to give them a small drink of water before being brought to the check-in counter. A toy or blanket can be placed in the kennel to help the animal feel calm.
8. The owner of the animal should exercise their pet before leaving for the airport. We do not recommend tranquilizers or other medications be administered to pets. If the pet is tranquilized, the owner will require a letter from a veterinarian upon check-in stating the animal is acceptable for travel.
9. The passenger is required to pay a kennel fee, which is charged per direction, per kennel, whether or not the passenger is travelling with any checked bags. The rates are as follows:

Connecting Flights with Air Borealis

• Air Borealis will only accept one kennel per flight due to the size of the aircraft and as such, early booking is encouraged.
• Animals are not accepted on Air Borealis flights from October 15th-April 15th due to cold temperatures.
• No pets booked in the cabin on Air Borealis

Service Animals

Service animals provide assistance to a person with a disability and are certified, in writing, as being trained by a professional service institution.

PAL Airlines allows service animals to ride free of charge and in the aircraft’s cabin, as long as they remain harnessed and at their owner’s feet for the duration of the flight.

Specialty Animals

Specialty animals are defined as dogs that are not providing a service to a person with a disability but are trained to perform professional functions. A registered certificate would be required as proof the dog and handler are trained.

We allow specialty dogs to travel with the certified trainer/owner and they must remain harnessed and at the trainer/owner’s feet for the duration of the flight. The fare for the dog will be the same as the fare paid by the trainer/owner of the dog.