Medical Travel, and Travelling with an Attendant or Service Dog

Travelling with an Attendant

If you need to travel with an attendant, we offer a 50 percent discount off the base fare for the attendant (note that fees and taxes apply and the discount does not apply to those), subject to availability. To book, you’ll need a physician’s note indicating that an attendant is required, and you must contact our reservations team at least 48 hours before the travel date to book.

You may reach us by phone at 1.800.661.0407 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228. You may also send a request via email to reservations@flyairnorth.com or fax (867) 393.4601.

In some cases, we may require that a passenger with a disability travel with an attendant, in instances where:

  • The passenger will be unable to care for all of their physical needs during the flight or requires special or unusual assistance beyond what would be required by other passengers
  • The passenger is unable to understand or respond to safety instructions due to a mental or cognitive disability
  • The passenger has severe hearing and vision impairments that make it difficult to communicate with our staff and respond to safety instructions
  • The passenger has a severe mobility impairment that prevents them from assisting in their own evacuation or using an oxygen mask in an emergency

If an attendant is required based on these conditions, the attendant will travel free of charge. Similarly, if you need extra seating to accommodate your disability, you will only be charged for one seat, no matter how many are needed.

Trained Service Dog

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

Qualified service dogs may fly free of charge, but must be approved by Air North in advance. We ask that any requests be made at least 14 days prior to travel, but in emergency situations can approve up to 48 hours prior to travel. Please complete the form below and email it to serviceanimals@flyairnorth.com.

If your request is submitted 48 hours or less prior to travel, please contact us at 1.800.661.0407 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228 to advise us that an application has been submitted. Any requests received with less than 48 hours’ notice may not be accepted even if the animal’s documentation is valid.

Once your form has been approved, we’ll provide you with documentation that you’ll need to keep with you throughout your journey. 

Please do not provide any personal information about your medical background or the nature of your disability. The purpose of the application process is purely to assess the animal’s qualifications and training.

Should the request be denied, the animal may fly for a fee under our regular Pets and Jets program. Note that there is limited space upon each flight for pets in cabin and in baggage/cargo, and this must be booked in advance. Please refer to the Pets and Jets page for requirements and guidance around kennel sizes and other information.

Additional information

  • The service dog must be fully certified in writing as having been trained by a professional service animal institution or qualified individual. Details about the training and institution/trainer will be required as Air North may need to confirm this information. Registry information alone is insufficient as proof of training.
  • If the information provided about the training does not include the required details, additional documentation may be requested.
  • The service dog must be in good health and up to date on their vaccinations.
  • For the safety of the person and service dog, Air North will assign a seat that provides sufficient space and does not obstruct access to an emergency exit or interfere with the crew's ability to act during an emergency.
  • The dog must remain properly harnessed and under the passenger's control. If the dog is too large for the space under a seat, it may remain on the floor area at the passenger's feet.
  • Emotional support animals are not accepted as service animals.

Oxygen

Medical Oxygen Cylinders

Oxygen in refrigerated liquid form is forbidden for air transport. Oxygen in gaseous form may be transported by air if in compliance with the packaging, marking, documentation and handling requirements specified in the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGRs) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (TIs).

We may transport oxygen in gaseous form for medical use by a passenger under specified exemptions:

  • In Canada and on board Canadian registered aircraft outside Canada, under section 1.27 of the TDGRs.
  • Passengers on flights to/from the US will not be permitted to use their own oxygen cylinders on board.
  • Additional medical oxygen cylinders, required by the passenger at their destination or for the return flight, should be transported as checked baggage in the cargo area only and in accordance with the restrictions and limitations of the TDGRs.
  • Regulators on oxygen cylinders are not to be changed on board the aircraft. Hence each cylinder will require its own regulator.

Passengers requiring the use of medical oxygen cylinders should be requested to provide documentation signed by a licensed physician or other licensed health professional such as a respiratory therapist that indicates the maximum flow rate, maximum quantity of oxygen per hour and the maximum quantity of oxygen required for the flight(s).

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

In order to bring a POC on-board the aircraft, a portable oxygen concentrator form (available below) must be filled out by your physician for presentation at the time of check-in, as well as to a flight attendant when requested on-board the aircraft. The form is valid for one year from the date of signing by the physician.

Travelling with Medication

If you require medication at specific intervals throughout the day, we strongly advise that you bring it with you in your checked baggage. If it needs to be kept cool, please bring your own cooler bag or thermos.
Please be aware that our staff are not permitted to administer any medication.

We strongly recommend reviewing the Medication and Medical Items page on CATSA’s website for clear guidance around what may or may not be carried through security screenings.