Travelers with special needs, such as those traveling with oxygen tanks or those who have recently had surgery, must notify Air Canada 48 to 72 hours prior to departure. The length of time required for advanced notice varies according to the destination. For best results, express your needs at the time of booking, if the need for assistance is known at that time, to ensure compliance.
Except for international flights between the U.S. and Canada, Air Canada requires all disabled or special needs guests to obtain medical approval for travel. The required form can be downloaded online and must be completed by you and your attending physician. Upon completion, fax the form to the airline at 888-334-7717. Although the airline can't require this form for U.S.-Canadian flights, it recommends that you complete it anyway so the airline can best prepare for the trip.
Air Canada allows all mobility aids onto an aircraft without counting toward the traveler's two carry-on limit. This includes wheelchairs and medical equipment, such as feeding tubes. Most airplanes also have an on-board wheelchair, designed for use in the narrow rows of the cabin. Note that not all of the airline's aircraft have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. If you need a wheelchair, consult with the airline before making your reservation to ensure you're booked on a plane equipped with such bathrooms.
Animals are allowed to travel with a handicapped guest if they're needed for guidance or provide a psychiatric or emotional service. Service dogs for the visually impaired must remain harnessed during the duration of the flight and need to be certified by a professional service animal institution, such as the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Dogs needed for emotional or psychiatric support must come with original documentation from a licensed mental health worker, like a psychiatrist, confirming that the animal is needed for such use.
Travel attendants can accompany a severely disabled traveler, such as a quadriplegic, for free on domestic trips and at a reduced fare on North American flights. Such attendants must be approved by the airline. Approval is given on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances. Contact the airline's medical assistance desk for further information and to register the attendant's reservations.
Disabled or obese guests can request special seating or extra seating for free. The availability of such seats varies according to the specific aircraft. Special seating requests should be made at the time of reservation to accommodate the appropriate seating needs.
