Pets and assistance dogs

We’re always trying to innovate by offering more services to our passengers to make their trip more enjoyable. Whether in cabin or in the checked baggage hold, we help transport animals in a safe, secure manner, thus providing passengers with greater peace of mind.

Pets: Only domestic cats and dogs are accepted for carriage. All other animals are not accepted on Air Transat flights.

Emotional support and certified service dogs: When accompanied by certification and documentation and travelling with a person with a disability, emotional support and certified service dogs are welcome in the passenger cabin of our aircraft. Please click on the Accessibility, Special needs and Medical Equipment page for further details.

Select the specific information you would like to have about the transport of pets in the checked baggage hold:
 

Advance booking

When travelling with your pet cat or dog, please reserve space for them at least 72 hours prior to departure. This ensures that the maximum number of pets per aircraft has not been exceeded. Please note that some flights may be subject to loading restrictions. Consequently, prepaying for space for an animal in the checked baggage hold does not guarantee it will be accepted on board. Acceptance is subject to operational restrictions, and we reserve the right to cancel the service at any time.

 

At the airport

Ensure your pet is inside their cage and delivered to our check-in counters no later than 90 minutes prior to departure. Animals presented after that time may be denied transport;

Before departure, we will confirm that your pet has been loaded into the cargo hold and on arrival, where your pet will be delivered;

In the event of a delay Air Transat will make every effort to return the animal to the responsible passenger.

 

Documentation

Each country has specific requirements for the acceptance of animals, including documentation, restrictions on breeds, and fees and conditions for acceptance. Please consult local authorities before departure.

You must be at least 16 years of age to travel with an animal. You must bring a health certificate indicating your pet’s breed and proof of rabies vaccination. You must also bring any additional entry and agricultural documents required by the destination country.

Restrictions

  • Only cats and dogs are allowed in the checked baggage hold.
  • This service is not available on connecting or codeshare flights, on flights operated by another carrier, or for vacation packages.
  • With Train + Air, pets are not allowed in the baggage hold.
  • To all destinations except for flights to the U.S. the animal must be at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • On flights to the U.S. the animal must be at least 6 months old.
  • The passenger must arrive with the animal at least 90 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time.
  • Animals appearing aggressive, undisciplined, ill or in distress may be refused travel. This decision is at the discretion of the Air Transat staff at the airport.

Certain breeds of dogs, some of which are at higher risk of respiratory distress, are refused entry to some countries or regions. We are, therefore, unable to transport the following breeds of dogs or mixed breeds, including one or more of the following breeds:

  • Mastiffs: All breeds including; Argentine (Dogo Argentino), Bandog (Bandogge), South African (Boerboel), Brazilian (Fila Brasileiro), Italian (Cane Corso, Neapolitan), Canary Mastiff (Presa Canario), Japanese Mastiff (Tosa Inu)
  • Pit Bulls: all breeds, including American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Akita
  • Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog)
  • Karabash Dog (Kangal/Anatolian Shepherd Dog)
  • Rottweiler
  • Wolf-dog hybrids
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • French Bulldogs
The following breeds are exempt from the above restriction and will be accepted for transport:
  • Bull Mastiffs and French Mastiffs (Dogue de Bordeaux)

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and cats not mentioned on the list above will be accepted for transport; however, due to the increased risk of respiratory distress, the following transport requirements must be met:

  • Passengers must submit a signed Acknowledgment and Exclusion of Liability to the check-in Agent.
  • The animal must be shipped in a kennel one size larger than the normal standard.
  • There must be ventilation openings on the four sides of the carrier.
  • It is recommended that the pet be acclimatized to the carrier as long as possible before departure.
  • You are solely responsible for your pet’s health.

See the list of accepted brachycephalic dogs and cats Breeds.

Should those conditions not be met, the pet's transport may be refused. The fees would be non refundable.


When traveling with your pet, it's essential to have all the required documents in order. To ensure your pet’s safe and seamless travel experience, please make sure the following country-specific requirements are met before arriving at the airport.

To Canada: From non-rabies free countries dogs and cats may enter Canada if accompanied by valid health certificate issued in either English or French, by a licensed veterinarian, clearly identifying the animal and showing that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. The certificate should indicate the type of rabies vaccine used, date administered and expiry date (if validity date does not appear on certificate, it will be considered a 1year vaccine).
From rabies-free countries (as recognized by Canada) Dogs and cats may enter Canada if accompanied by a valid health certificate, in either English or French, of an official government veterinarian clearly identifying the animal and showing that rabies has not existed in that country for the 6 month period immediately preceding shipment of the animal, and that the animal has been in that country for the 6 months preceding import or since birth.
The owner of the animal will have to pay CA$30 (plus tax) or a fee per animal for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency upon entry into Canada (except from the U.S.). Complete information can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

One-way flights only
From the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti: Cats and dogs are not accepted one way from these destinations.
Exceptions when reserved in advance through our contact centre: Cats and dogs are accepted when travelling round trip to or from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti. Certified service dogs are accepted on one way flights from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti.

To the United States: Information on requirements and documentation regarding the entry of dogs into the United States are found on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website  Will open in a separate browser window
Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the 6 months before entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required). Please see the CDC’s list of high-risk countries  Will open in a separate browser window to ensure that the appropriate requirements are met. No animals that have visited a high-risk country within the 6 months before entering the U.S. will be accepted.
Exceptions:  Certified service dogs and emotional support dogs (when reserved through our Contact Centre in advance).
Passengers are solely responsible for verifying and completing the regulatory requirements. Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.

To Mexico: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold specific health certificates issued within a certain time period prior to travel. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Complete information can be found on the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria website (only in Spanish).

From and to United Kingdom: Cats and dogs are accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights – advance arrangements are required and additional fees apply. 
Exceptions: Certified service dogs are accepted on flights to London, Manchester, and Glasgow (when reserved through our Call Centre at least 7 days in advance). Certified service dogs are accepted on flights from London, Manchester and Glasgow. Pets in the checked baggage hold and in the cabin are accepted on flights from Manchester and Glasgow, but not accepted from London.

To European Union (EU) countries:

Animals can travel to the European Union from a non-EU country if the following requirements are met:

  • Cats and Dogs originating outside the EU are subject to EU regulations and require a health certificate. The health certificate must be filled out by the animal’s veterinarian prior to travel. The certificate is available from the CFIA website. Animals originating from an EU country may use a pet passport or an EU health certificate in lieu of a Canadian health certificate.
    • The pet passport must be an EU pet passport, or a pet passport issued by Andorra, Faroe Isl., Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City (Holy See) or Switzerland.
    • The health certificate must be issued/completed by a veterinarian at most 10 days before arrival in the EU and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (the endorsement is not necessaire when the form is completed and signed by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
  • The animal must have been micro-chipped or has a clearly readable tattoo.
    • The microchip should comply with the ISO standard 11784. If it does not, the owner is responsible for providing a suitable microchip reader.
    • If a tattoo is used, it must have been applied before July 3, 2011. A tattoo is not accepted in the Republic of Ireland.
  • The animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
    • The animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.
    • The primary vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before arrival and after the identification chip has been placed or the tattoo has been applied.
    • Any subsequent vaccination (booster) must be carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination and at least 21 days before arrival.
  • Treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
    • Dogs travelling to the Republic of Ireland require treatment for echinococcus within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry of the dogs into the EU.

EU country-specific requirements

To Portugal: Advance arrangements are mandatory for all cats & dogs (including service dogs) entering Portugal from outside the European Union. Click on the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária Website  Will open in a separate browser window for details.

From and to Republic of Ireland: Cats and dogs are accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights – advance arrangements are required and additional fees apply.
Exceptions: Certified service dogs are accepted on flights to Dublin (when reserved through our Call Centre at least 7 days in advance).


Africa

To Morocco: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold a completed Health Certificate issued within 3 days of arrival in Morocco by a licensed veterinarian from the country of origin. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Complete information can be found on the Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.


South / Central America

To and from Colombia: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold a completed Canadian International Health Certificate issued within 10 days of arrival to Colombia. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Passengers must also submit an electronic certificate at least 24 hours prior to departing Colombia with their pet. Complete information can be found on the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario - ICA website (only in Spanish).

To Costa Rica: Advance arrangements are mandatory for all cats & dogs. Owners, must hold a completed International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats, issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) within 14 days prior to arrival to Costa Rica. Failure to present valid documents will result refusal of entry for the animal. Complete information can be found on the Costa Rican embassy website.

From Costa Rica: Returning passengers may present their valid International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats, specific for export to Costa Rica (see example above) issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as long as the certificate is still valid, and was issued within the past 14 days. If the International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats certificate is expired or passenger is travelling one-way, the passenger must present the Republica De Costa Rica Certificado de Exportacíon de Caninos y Felinos. The certificate must be completed and signed by a Veterinarian and be stamped by Senasa (Health Control, National Service of Animal Health) and the passenger must present a receipt to confirm payment.

To Jamaica: No animals are accepted on flights to Jamaica.

To and from Peru: Strict regulations are in effect. Only one animal is permitted per passenger. Owner must hold a completed Canadian International Health Certificate issued within 14 days of arrival to Peru. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Passengers must also obtain an animal health export certificate prior to departing Peru with their pet. Complete information can be found on the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria del Perú website (only in Spanish).

To St. Maarten: An advance application for entry is required and can be requested via email at lvv@sintmaartengov.org, minimum five (5) days prior to your expected arrival date. For further information, please contact: Inspection Department TEZVT - Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Tel: +1 (721) 542-5641, +1 (721) 542-9887 (O) / +1 (721) 520-7213 (M).

Air Transat complies with the animal entry and exit requirements outlined in the IATA Travel Information Manual. For additional details on pet travel requirements, we recommend visiting the IATA Travel Centre website.

 

Larger cages must be shipped via Air Transat cargo and advance arrangements are required. Should your animal or cage exceed the maximum size detailed below, please contact our cargo department for assistance.

  • The animal must be in a cage approved for air transportation (IATA regulations) and bear the animal’s name.
  • A plain rigid plastic cage is mandatory. Cages made of wire or any other material will not be accepted (a wire door is acceptable).
  • All cage doors must be secured with a locking mechanism to prevent opening (see additional information below about supplemental strapping).
  • Maximum weight accepted at check-in: 45kg (99 lbs) (including the carrier).
  • Maximum carrier size accepted at check-in: 122cm x 81.3cm x 89cm (48 in. x 32 in. x 35 in.); larger cages must be shipped via Air Transat cargo and advance arrangements are required.
  • The cage must provide sufficient space for the animal to stand up straight-legged, turn around, and lie down. For the comfort and safety of the animal, cages that do not comply with the requirements described above will be denied for transportation of the animal.

Guide for selecting the correct crate for the animal:


 

In the diagram above:

  • A is the length of animal from nose to root of tail.
  • B is the height from ground to elbow joint. A + 1/2 B = length of container.
  • C is the width across musters. C x 2 = width of container.
  • D is the height of container (top flat or arched)/height of animal in standing position.

The minimum dimensions of the cage are as follows:

  • The length of the cage corresponds to the length of the animal from the muzzle to the length of the tail by adding half of the height from the ground to the elbow joint.
  • The width of the cage should be twice the width of the shoulders.
  • The height of the cage is calculated relative to the pet’s height when standing.

Make sure the cage contains air vents and space bars.

Source: www.iata.org  Will open in a separate browser window

Only one (1) animal per cage is accepted, and no animal under 12 weeks (3 months) of age may travel.

Supplemental strapping

For the safety of the animal, Air Transat will apply cable ties to your animal’s cage (at no charge) which helps to ensure your dog or cat remains secure for the duration of their trip. If the top and bottom of the door as well as the sides of the cage cannot be secured with cable ties, the animal will be denied boarding.

Once you have exited the baggage hall at your destination, the cable ties can be removed (you may need a cutting tool to do this). Please note that security restrictions prevent our ground personnel from providing this tool for you. We recommend the cutting tool be packed in your checked baggage as it won’t be permitted as carry-on or through any security checkpoint.

Below are the fees for pets in the checked baggage hold.1 Service animals on duty fly in the cabin for free.

 
  Europe and Africa South USA Within
Canada
Prepaid up to 72 hours
before departure
£180 £180 £98 £65
Paid at the airport £200 £200 £115 £75

1Prices are per pet, per flight segment. These may vary at airports outside of Canada and will be charged in the currency of the departure city.

Upon entry into Canada: A CAD $30 fee (plus tax, per animal) will be required for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Will open in a separate browser window. Arrivals from USA are exempt.

 

Upon payment of the charges associated with the reservation for your animal, Air Transat will reserve a space on the flight(s) selected. Passengers must notify Air Transat of any changes to their itinerary. Changes to the travel itinerary of the animal are accepted up to 3 days prior to departure without any penalty. Cancellations to the travel itinerary of your animal are accepted up to 30 days prior to departure. Acceptance of the animal is subject to operational restrictions, and we reserve the right to cancel the service at any time. In the event of cancellation as provided in the present clause, Air Transat’s liability is limited to refunding the charges incurred for this service only.

 

Air Transat is committed to being a leader in protecting and improving global animal welfare. In our air and cargo operations, Air Transat pledges to:
 

  • Prohibit the transport of the following:
    - Big game hunting trophies from the African “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, cape buffalo) 
    - Endangered species and their related products, unless they are carried under a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit
    - Unsustainably traded wildlife, including their body parts (ex. shark fins)
    - Animals destined for laboratory research and/or scientific experimentation, such as nonhuman primates and dogs

  • Comply with all government regulations regarding protected species and act in accordance with IATAs Resolution on the Illegal Trade in Wildlife, including the United for Wildlife Buckingham Palace Declaration

  • Transport animals in accordance with IATA live animal regulations

  • Support animal welfare groups working to promote the humane treatment of animals in tourist destinations via the transport of veterinary supplies, equipment, and rescued animals

 

Select the specific information you would like to have about the transport of pets in cabin:
 

Advance booking

If you’d like to travel with your pet in the aircraft’s cabin, please reserve this service at least 72 hours prior to departure. The number of pets allowed on board is limited, and only certain seats can accommodate them. If you don’t book in advance, your pet may be denied boarding.

 

At the airport

Ensure your pet is inside their carrier and at our check-in counters no later than 90 minutes prior to departure; otherwise, they may be denied boarding.

Train + Air

Pets are allowed on board. See SNCF conditions Will open in a separate browser window for more details.

 

Documentation

Each country has specific requirements for the acceptance of animals, including documentation, restrictions on breeds, and fees and conditions for acceptance. Please consult local authorities before departure.

You must be at least 16 years of age to travel with an animal. You must bring a health certificate indicating your pet’s breed and proof of rabies vaccination. You must also bring any additional entry and agricultural documents required by the destination country.

Restrictions

  • Only cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin.
  • Only one animal per passenger is allowed. It is therefore strongly recommended that passengers book this service in advance.
  • Passengers are not entitled to a carry-on item in addition to the pet in the cabin. The animal carrier counts as a carry-on item.
  • The total weight of the carrier and animal must not exceed 10 kilos on flights operated by Air Transat or 8 kilos on flights operated by Smartlynx Airlines.
  • A passenger with a pet in the cabin cannot occupy a seat in Club Class, or the emergency exit or bulkhead seats.
  • In addition, unaccompanied minors and passengers travelling with medical equipment cannot bring an animal in the cabin.
  • In the case of allergies, there must be a minimum of 5 rows between a passenger allergic to dogs and/or cats and a passenger travelling with the animal in the cabin. If they are seated 5 rows or fewer from each other, the passenger travelling with the animal in the cabin must change seats to comply with the rule.
  • Each country has specific requirements for the acceptance of animals, including documentation, restrictions on breeds, and fees and conditions for acceptance. Please consult local authorities before departure.
  • This service is not available on codeshare flights or vacation packages.
  • To all destinations except for flights to the U.S., the animal must be at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • On flights to the U.S. the animal must be at least 6 months old.
  • The animal must remain in its cage, tucked under the seat in front of the passenger, for the full duration of the flight.
  • The passenger must arrive with the animal at least 90 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time.
  • Animals appearing aggressive, undisciplined, ill or in distress may be refused travel. This decision is at the discretion of the Air Transat staff at the airport.

Should those conditions not be met, the pet's transport may be refused. The fees would be non refundable

Certain breeds of dog are refused entry to some countries or regions. We are, therefore, unable to transport the following breeds of dogs or mixed breeds, including one or more of the following breeds:
  • Mastiffs: All breeds including; Argentine (Dogo Argentino), Bandog (Bandogge/band dog), South African (Boerboel), Brazilian (Fila Brasileiro), Italian (Cane Corso, Neapolitan), Canary Mastiff (Presa Canario), Japanese Mastiff (Tosa Inu)
  • Pit Bulls: all breeds, including American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Akita
  • Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog)
  • Karabash Dog (Kangal/Anatolian Shepherd Dog)
  • Rottweiler
  • Wolf-dog hybrids
  • Doberman Pinscher

The following breeds are exempt from the above restriction and will be accepted for transport:

  • Bull Mastiffs and French Mastiffs (Dogue de Bordeaux)

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and cats will be accepted for transport; however, because of the increased risk of respiratory distress, the following transport requirements must be met:

  • There must be ventilation openings on the four sides of the carrier.
  • It is recommended that the pet be acclimatized to the carrier as long as possible before departure.
  • You are solely responsible for your pet’s health.

See the list of accepted brachycephalic dogs and cats Breeds.


Please also note the following country-specific restrictions on travelling with pets:

To Canada: From non-rabies free countries dogs and cats may enter Canada if accompanied by valid health certificate issued in either English or French, by a licensed veterinarian, clearly identifying the animal and showing that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. The certificate should indicate the type of rabies vaccine used, date administered and expiry date (if validity date does not appear on certificate, it will be considered a 1year vaccine).
From rabies-free countries (as recognized by Canada) Dogs and cats may enter Canada if accompanied by a valid health certificate, in either English or French, of an official government veterinarian clearly identifying the animal and showing that rabies has not existed in that country for the 6 month period immediately preceding shipment of the animal, and that the animal has been in that country for the 6 months preceding import or since birth.
The owner of the animal will have to pay CA$30 (plus tax) or a fee per animal for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency upon entry into Canada (except from the U.S.). Complete information can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

One-way flights only
From the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti: Cats and dogs are not accepted one way from these destinations.
Exceptions when reserved in advance through our contact centre: Cats and dogs are accepted when travelling round trip to or from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti. Certified service dogs are accepted on one way flights from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, Peru, Morocco and Haiti.

To the United States: Information on requirements and documentation regarding the entry of dogs into the United States are found on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website  Will open in a separate browser window
Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the 6 months before entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required). Please see the CDC’s list of high-risk countries  Will open in a separate browser window to ensure that the appropriate requirements are met. No animals that have visited a high-risk country within the 6 months before entering the U.S. will be accepted.
Exceptions:  Certified service dogs and emotional support dogs (when reserved through our Contact Centre in advance).
Passengers are solely responsible for verifying and completing the regulatory requirements. Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.

To Mexico: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold specific health certificates issued within a certain time period prior to travel. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Complete information can be found on the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria website (only in Spanish).

From and to United Kingdom: Cats and dogs are accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights – advance arrangements are required and additional fees apply. 
Exceptions: Certified service dogs are accepted on flights to London, Manchester, and Glasgow (when reserved through our Call Centre at least 7 days in advance). Certified service dogs are accepted on flights from London, Manchester and Glasgow. Pets in the checked baggage hold and in the cabin are accepted on flights from Manchester and Glasgow, but not accepted from London.

To European Union (EU) countries:

Animals can travel to the European Union from a non-EU country if the following requirements are met:

  • Cats and Dogs originating outside the EU are subject to EU regulations and require a health certificate. The health certificate must be filled out by the animal’s veterinarian prior to travel. The certificate is available from the CFIA website. Animals originating from an EU country may use a pet passport or an EU health certificate in lieu of a Canadian health certificate.
    • The pet passport must be an EU pet passport, or a pet passport issued by Andorra, Faroe Isl., Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City (Holy See) or Switzerland.
    • The health certificate must be issued/completed by a veterinarian at most 10 days before arrival in the EU and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (the endorsement is not necessaire when the form is completed and signed by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
  • The animal must have been micro-chipped or has a clearly readable tattoo.
    • The microchip should comply with the ISO standard 11784. If it does not, the owner is responsible for providing a suitable microchip reader.
    • If a tattoo is used, it must have been applied before July 3, 2011. A tattoo is not accepted in the Republic of Ireland.
  • The animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
    • The animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.
    • The primary vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before arrival and after the identification chip has been placed or the tattoo has been applied.
    • Any subsequent vaccination (booster) must be carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination and at least 21 days before arrival.
  • Treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
    • Dogs travelling to the Republic of Ireland require treatment for echinococcus within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry of the dogs into the EU.

EU country-specific requirements

To Portugal: Advance arrangements are mandatory for all cats & dogs (including service dogs) entering Portugal from outside the European Union. Click on the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária Website  Will open in a separate browser window for details.

From and to Republic of Ireland: Cats and dogs are accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights – advance arrangements are required and additional fees apply.
Exceptions: Certified service dogs are accepted on flights to Dublin (when reserved through our Call Centre at least 7 days in advance).


Africa

To Morocco: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold a completed Health Certificate issued within 3 days of arrival in Morocco by a licensed veterinarian from the country of origin. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Complete information can be found on the Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.


South / Central America

To and from Colombia: Strict regulations are in effect. Owners must hold a completed Canadian International Health Certificate issued within 10 days of arrival to Colombia. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Passengers must also submit an electronic certificate at least 24 hours prior to departing Colombia with their pet. Complete information can be found on the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario - ICA website (only in Spanish).

To Costa Rica: Advance arrangements are mandatory for all cats & dogs. Owners, must hold a completed International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats, issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) within 14 days prior to arrival to Costa Rica. Failure to present valid documents will result refusal of entry for the animal. Complete information can be found on the Costa Rican embassy website.

From Costa Rica: Returning passengers may present their valid International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats, specific for export to Costa Rica (see example above) issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as long as the certificate is still valid, and was issued within the past 14 days. If the International Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats certificate is expired or passenger is travelling one-way, the passenger must present the Republica De Costa Rica Certificado de Exportacíon de Caninos y Felinos. The certificate must be completed and signed by a Veterinarian and be stamped by Senasa (Health Control, National Service of Animal Health) and the passenger must present a receipt to confirm payment.

To Jamaica: No animals are accepted on flights to Jamaica.

To and from Peru: Strict regulations are in effect. Only one animal is permitted per passenger. Owner must hold a completed Canadian International Health Certificate issued within 14 days of arrival to Peru. Failure to present valid documents will result in the quarantine of the animal upon arrival and additional costs for veterinary inspection. Passengers must also obtain an animal health export certificate prior to departing Peru with their pet. Complete information can be found on the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria del Perú website (only in Spanish).

To St. Maarten: An advance application for entry is required and can be requested via email at lvv@sintmaartengov.org, minimum five (5) days prior to your expected arrival date. For further information, please contact: Inspection Department TEZVT - Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Tel: +1 (721) 542-5641, +1 (721) 542-9887 (O) / +1 (721) 520-7213 (M).

Air Transat complies with the animal entry and exit requirements outlined in the IATA Travel Information Manual. For additional details on pet travel requirements, we recommend visiting the IATA Travel Centre website.

 

Passengers must be able to place the animal carrier under the seat in front of them. Therefore, its dimensions cannot exceed 24.1 cm (9.5 in) in height x 25.5 cm (10 in) in width x 43.2 cm (17 in) in length.

The carrier must be leak-proof, well ventilated and soft-sided. A hard-sided carrier or any other type of bag is not permitted.

The pet carrier must be big enough to allow the animal to stand, turn or lie down safely and comfortably. No part of the animal may extend outside of the carrier during the flight. The animal may be denied for transport if the carrier is too small.

If any of these conditions are not met, the pet in cabin may be denied boarding, with no refund.

Below are the fees for pets in the cabin.1 Service animals on duty fly in the cabin for free.

 
  Europe and Africa South USA Within
Canada
Prepaid up to 72 hours
before departure
£65 £65 £32 £32
Paid at the airport £75 £75 £50 £50

1Prices are per pet, per flight segment. These may vary at airports outside of Canada and will be charged in the currency of the departure city.

Upon entry into Canada: A CAD $30 fee (plus tax, per animal) will be required for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Will open in a separate browser window. Arrivals from USA are exempt.

 

Upon payment of the charges associated with the reservation for your animal, Air Transat will reserve a space on the flight(s) selected. Passengers must notify Air Transat of any changes to their itinerary. Changes to the travel itinerary of the animal are accepted up to 3 days prior to departure without any penalty. Cancellations to the travel itinerary of your animal are accepted up to 30 days prior to departure. In the event of cancellation as provided in the present clause, Air Transat’s liability is limited to refunding the charges incurred for this service only.

 

Air Transat is committed to being a leader in protecting and improving global animal welfare.  In our air and cargo operations, Air Transat pledges to:
 

  • Prohibit the transport of the following:
    - Big game hunting trophies from the African “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, cape buffalo) 
    - Endangered species and their related products, unless they are carried under a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit
    - Unsustainably traded wildlife, including their body parts (ex. shark fins)
    - Animals destined for laboratory research and/or scientific experimentation, such as nonhuman primates and dogs

  • Comply with all government regulations regarding protected species and act in accordance with IATAs Resolution on the Illegal Trade in Wildlife, including the United for Wildlife Buckingham Palace Declaration

  • Transport animals in accordance with IATA live animal regulations

  • Support animal welfare groups working to promote the humane treatment of animals in tourist destinations via the transport of veterinary supplies, equipment, and rescued animals

 

Travel Tips

  • We suggest owners put a familiar object in the cage to reassure the animal during the flight, such as a blanket or a toy.
  • IATA regulation states that it is not recommended to have older animals travel by air due to stress-related effects. Air Transat will not be responsible for problems due to stress-related effects on older animals. (Consult your veterinarian).
  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and IATA do not recommend giving tranquillizers to travelling animals. If you're thinking about doing so, please consult your veterinarian.
  • For animals travelling in the checked baggage hold, no containers with water or food should be placed in the cage, unless it is a spill-proof container with water, firmly attached to the cage.
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