Find out whether your dog can travel in the cabin with you or if it must be sent as baggage or cargo. Generally, dogs less than 25 pounds can travel in the cabin if kept in an airline-approved carrier, but dogs between 25 and 100 pounds must travel as baggage and larger dogs as cargo. Check with your chosen airline for details.
Obtain the correct carrier. For example, AirCanada accepts both soft and hard-sided carriers for in-cabin flight, but WestJet only accepts soft-sided carriers. Both require hard kennels for baggage transport. For in-cabin flight, the carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Both hard and soft carriers must be leak-proof, secure, well-ventilated and large enough for your dog to lie down in. Check your airline's website.
Have up-to-date medical documentation from your veterinarian ready to show at both your departure and destination airports. Your vet should have a standard travel form that gives your dog a clean bill of health and lists vaccination dates.
Certify and register your service animal. Most airlines allow service animals to fly lying at their owner's feet. However, your dog must be certified as a service animal and registered with the airline's medical services. If your dog is an emotional support animal, get a letter from your psychiatrist as proof. Check with the specific airline for details.
Pay for your pet's passage. Service dogs fly for free but AirCanada and WestJet charge from $50 to $100 each way for your pet to travel with you. Dogs traveling alone will cost more.
Feed and water your dog at least four hours before your check-in time. Exercise your pup well before going to the airport. Once inside, it will have to remain in the carrier until you land at your destination. Put an easily-accessible but empty water dish in kennels in the baggage compartment or cargo area that attendants can fill if necessary. Secure but do not lock the kennel door.
Check both Canadian and U.S. governmental regulations. According to AirCanada.com, the only restriction concerning dogs traveling to the U.S. from Canada is that they must travel as cargo, not with your or as baggage, when flying to Hawaii. WestJet has a long list of embargo dates when dogs cannot travel as cargo because of the heat.
Consult your chosen airline to see if your dog can travel alone. WestJet does not accept unaccompanied pets but AirCanada provides the AC Live service to ship dogs from Canada to the United States. Call AC Live at 866-615-1155 for details.
