Pets On Jets

Dog, cats or rabbits may travel with you on board in a secured soft-shell kennel that fits under the seat in front of you. The kennels must adhere to the following size limitations;  

• Boeing 737: 18” L x 15” W x 9”H 
• ATR 42: 15” L x 11” W x 9” H 
• Your pet must be able to stand and turn around naturally. 

They may qualify as a Service Animal. Learn more about flying with a Service Animal

To help ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone on board, the following requirements apply;

• Each traveller may bring one (1) pet in the cabin,
• Your pet and their carrier will count as your carry-on item,
• Dogs, cats, and rabbits are welcome to travel in the cabin,
• Pets must be at least eight (8) weeks old at the time of travel,
• Check in at least two (2) hours before departure. If you check-in less than 90 minutes before, your pet may be denied boarding 
• There is a $50 fee + tax,
• Pets must remain in their kennel for the entire flight.  Seats cannot be purchased for pets.  

We accept animals in a rigid kennel as checked baggage. As space is limited, we cannot guarantee that a pet will be accepted. Please contact us as early to confirm space and ensure your pet can travel with you.

All live animals must travel in an airline certified kennel subject to the following requirements;

• The kennel must meet IATA guidelines for size, quality of materials, and construction for the transportation of animals by air. Details can be found at; iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/,
• Soft-sided kennels are not accepted,
• Maximum of two (2) animals of the same species per kennel, up to 12 kg and must be from the same household,
• There must be at least 5–8 cm of clearance above the pet’s head,
• The kennel must be leak-proof, escape-proof, rigid, well-ventilated, and have no wheels,
• The door must be constructed of welded or casted metal; no plastic or top-opening doors,
• The door should be secured with zip ties but not locked so agents can access it in the event of an emergency,
• Kennel must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, sit and lie comfortable in a natural manner,
• The kennel must be clean, odor-free, and lined with absorbent material,
• The use of straw, hay or wood shavings is prohibited,
• The kennel must be labeled ‘Live Animal’,
• Attach labels with the shipper and receiver’s name, street address and phone number and the name of the pet travelling,
• Kennels over 33 inches high or 165 lbs will not be accepted.

• Only dogs, cats, or rabbits are accepted,
• Must be at least eight (8) weeks old,
• Check in at least two (2) hours before departure. If you check-in less than 90 minutes before your flight’s departure, your pet may be denied boarding,
• The fee is $50–$100 + tax depending on kennel size.

To book, please call our Reservations team at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 1 or .867.668.2228 ext. 1 with the weight and dimensions of the kennel with your pet inside.

Most pets can travel with us as cargo. Cargo fees are determined by the size of the kennel and the combined weight of your pet and kennel. As space is limited, pets travelling as cargo, just like those travelling as checked baggage, must be booked in advance to ensure availability. 

• The kennel must meet IATA guidelines for size, quality of materials, and construction for the transportation of animals by air. Details can be found at; iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/,
• Soft-sided kennels are not accepted,
• Maximum of two (2) animals of the same species per kennel, up to 12 kg and must be from the same household, 
• There must be at least 5–8 cm of clearance above the pet’s head,
• The kennel must be leak-proof, escape-proof, rigid, well-ventilated, and have no wheels,
• The door must be constructed of welded or casted metal; no plastic or top-opening doors,
• The door should be secured with zip ties but not locked so agents can access it in the event of an emergency,  
• Kennel must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, sit and lie comfortable in a natural manner, 
• The kennel must be clean, odor-free, and lined with absorbent material, 
• The use of straw, hay or wood shavings is prohibited, 
• The kennel must be labeled ‘Live Animal’, 
• Attach labels with the shipper and receiver’s name, street address and phone number and the name of the pet travelling, 
• Kennels over 33 inches high or 165 lbs will not be accepted. 

Please note that pets cannot be shipped as cargo on all flights due to operational requirements. Additionally, during peak travel periods, especially holidays, cargo space may be limited, and pet shipments may be unavailable. 

• For the safety and well-being of the animals, nursing mothers and unweaned young animals cannot travel by air,
• Weaned puppies under eight (8) weeks should not be shipped due to possible dehydration during flight,
• Cargo costs are based on the combined weight and size of your pet and kennel, 
• Credit card is required for booking. 

Does your furry friend travel with us often? Be sure to ask about our Pet Passport!

Designed for our four-legged frequent flyers, the Pet Passport lets you track your pet’s airtime and serves as a record of their travels with Air North. Each time your pet flies, our team can add a stamp or update, creating a keepsake of their adventures.

It also provides added peace of mind by confirming that your pet has been safely checked in and prepared for their journey.

Simply ask one of our agents for a Pet Passport the next time your pet travels with us. 

We believe pets are part of the family, and their travel experience should be just as safe and stress-free as our travellers. Our team takes great care to ensure your pet’s comfort every step of the way.

Here are a few tips to help make your pet’s journey as smooth as possible;

• Place a familiar, absorbent blanket in the kennel, this will help calm your pet, and keep the kennel clean, 
• Clean the kennel thoroughly in advance to make sure it’s tidy and odour-free,
• Bathe or clean your pet as close to the travel date as possible, 
• Make sure your pet’s name is on the outside of the kennel so we know what to address them as,
• Two (2) hours prior to departure give your pet a light meal and a short drink, 
• Take your pet for a walk or otherwise exercise it immediately before you leave for the Cargo office, 
• Do not transport an animal with a choke collar or muzzle on. 

We welcome trained service dogs that assist travellers with disabilities and are committed to making the approval process as smooth as possible.

A trained service dog is a dog that has been individually trained by a professional organization or qualified individual to perform specific tasks that support a person with a disability.

Approved service dogs may travel free of charge; however, approval from Air North is required before travel.

To allow sufficient time for review, we ask that requests be submitted at least 14 days before departure whenever possible. In urgent situations, we may be able to review requests submitted up to 48 hours before travel.

To begin the process, please complete the required form and submit it to: serviceanimals@flyairnorth.com

If your request is being submitted within 48 hours of departure, please also contact our Reservations team at 1.800.661.0407 (toll-free in North America) (867) 668.2228

This helps ensure we are aware of your request and can begin reviewing it as quickly as possible. Please note that requests submitted with less than 48 hours’ notice may not be approved in time for travel, even if all required documentation is provided.

Once your service dog has been approved, we’ll provide documentation that you should keep with you throughout your journey.

Application Requirements

To protect your privacy, please do not include personal medical information or details about the nature of your disability. The purpose of the application process is solely to assess the service dog’s qualifications and training.

For approval, the service dog must;

• Be individually trained by a professional service animal, organization or qualified individual,
• Have documentation confirming its training and qualifications,
• Be in good health and up to date on vaccinations,
• Remain properly harnessed and under the traveller’s control at all times.

Please note that registry information alone is not sufficient proof of training. If the information provided does not contain enough detail, additional documentation may be requested.

For the safety and comfort of all travellers, Air North will assign seating that provides adequate space for both the traveller and service dog while ensuring emergency exits and crew duties remain unobstructed.

If the service dog is too large to fit beneath the seat in front of you, it may remain on the floor at your feet.

If Your Request Is Not Approved

If a service dog application is not approved, the animal may still be eligible to travel through our Pets On Jets program on this page. 

Important Information

• Emotional support animals are not accepted as trained service dogs,
• Air North may contact the training organization or qualified trainer to verify the information provided in the application,
• Additional documentation may be requested if further clarification is required.

If you have questions about travelling with a trained service dog, our team is always happy to help.

If your pet’s trip includes travel on more than one airline, we recommend allowing at least four (4) hours between flights whenever possible. This extra time can help ensure your pet is comfortably transferred between carriers and reduce stress during their journey.

Please note that any transportation, accommodation, or care required between flights is the responsibility of the pet owner.

If you’d like additional assistance, professional pet transportation services are available. For example, Worldwide Animal Travel specializes in coordinating pet travel and may be able to arrange services such as overnight care when needed. They can be reached at 604.303.7384.

Please note that Air North is not affiliated with Worldwide Animal Travel and is unable to guarantee the services they provide.

To help ensure the comfort and safety of all animals travelling with us, we limit the number of kennels accepted on each flight. While Air North does not have formal pet embargo periods, we recommend booking your pet’s travel as early as possible to secure space.

Please note that pets cannot travel as cargo on every flight due to operational requirements. During busy travel periods, particularly around holidays and peak seasons, cargo capacity may be limited and pet shipments may not always be available.

If you’re planning to travel with your pet, our team will be happy to discuss the options available and help find the best travel arrangement for your furry family member.

To ensure your pet is comfortable and safe for their flight, please measure the kennel according to the following;

• A- length of the animal from the nose to the root of the tail. 
• B- length of a front leg from the ground to the elbow. 
• C- Width across the shoulders (not shown). 
• D- Height of the animal in a standing position with its head erect. For animals with erect ears, measure from the ground to the top of the ear. 

Round all measurements up to the nearest inch. 

• Length = A+ 1/2 B 
• Width = C x 2 (one animal) or C x 3 (two animals) 
• Height = D 

Your pet’s comfort and well-being are important to us. Before travelling, we recommend consulting your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy and ready for air travel.

We generally do not recommend sedating pets before a flight, as sedation can affect heart rate, breathing, and oxygen intake, which may increase risks during travel.

Your veterinarian can help determine the best approach based on your pet’s individual needs and health.

We believe pets are part of the family, and their travel experience should be just as safe and stress-free as our travellers. Our team takes great care to ensure your pet’s comfort every step of the way.

Here are our guidelines;

• No animal shall be accepted if it is deemed to be hostile, 
• A maximum of two (2) animals of the same species per kennel, up to 12 kg and must be from the same household,
• Weaned puppies or kittens younger than eight (8) weeks will not accepted due to possible dehydration, 
• Nursing mothers and unweaned young animals are not eligible for travel,
• Shipment of females in estrus (heat) is not recommended, 
• Tranquilizing of animals is not recommended, 
• If the animal is sedated or has undergone recent surgery, a veterinary certificate must be provided stating the animal is fit to be transported by air, 
• Air North reserves the rights to deny transporting any animals.