Travelling with Pets

Table of Contents

Pets

Travelling with certain pets is welcome. To ensure the best flight and safety of your pet, we’ve provided some handy guidelines.


Pets In Cabin

How to book

Booking a reservation for a pet in the cabin or in checked baggage must be done through the Customer Service Centre, online booking is not available for this service. 

The fee for transporting your pet in the cabin is:

Travelling OptionFee
In cabin (as carry-on)$50, plus applicable taxes

Pet travel is subject to availability and is limited to 3 pets per flight. A reservation must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Pets count as one piece of carry-on baggage. For more details about about our Baggage Allowance, please refer to our Baggage section on the website.

Permitted Pets

Below is a list of pets that are allowed and those that are strictly prohibited from travelling in the cabin:

Pets allowed inside the cabinPets NOT allowed in the cabin
Dogs
Cats
Rabbits
Household Birds
Tropical Fish
Reptiles (including Snakes and lizards)
Rodents (Rats, Mice, Hamsters, Ferrets, Weasels etc.)
Animals with offensive odours
Animals that create a noise disturbance

Travel Requirements

Pets are permitted for travel in the passenger cabin of the aircraft, provided they meet the following requirements:

  • The pet must travel along with a passenger on the flight. 
  • Only one PETC kennel per person permitted.
  • Pets must travel with an adult passenger.
  • Pets are not permitted with:
    • Unaccompanied minors
    • Passengers travelling with infants
    • Passengers who require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed under the seat.
    • Passengers acting as an escort.
    • Passengers seated in the emergency exit rows
  • Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the flight.
  • Aggressive or visibly distressed pets may be denied transport at Perimeter Aviation or Bearskin Airline’s discretion.
  • Animals with offensive odours, those that create noise disturbance, or those that present allergy issues, etc. must travel in the baggage compartment

Pet Carrier Requirements

The pet carrier must meet the following requirements: 

  • The carrier must not be larger than 8”x13”x16” in size.
  • Only one pet is permitted per carrier.
  • The pet must be able to comfortably stand up and turn around within the carrier. 
  • No part of the pet may extend outside the kennel.
  • The kennel must be airline approved, soft-sided, leak-proof, and well ventilated. Duffle bags are not accepted as kennels. 
  • Only soft-sided kennels will be accepted for carry-on. 
  • The kennel must contain absorbent bedding material to prevent leaks. 
  • The pet must remain in the kennel throughout the flight, and the kennel itself must stay stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight
The pet should fit into the kennel with no parts extending out.

Security with a Pet

When travelling with a pet in cabin, it will need to be screened at security at most airports before your flight. Please be aware of the following procedures:

  • Pets do not get X-rayed.
  • Your carrier will be put through the X-ray machine, never your pet.
  • You will need to remove your pet from the carrier and walk through the metal detector with it.
  • You may request for private screening of your pet at most airports.

After passing through security, re-entry to outdoor areas is restricted at most airports. Ensure your pet has relieved itself prior to screening, or utilize any available pet relief areas inside airports. If you must take your pet outside after passing security, be aware that you will need to go through the security screening process again.

Other Airlines

For flights connecting to other airlines or interline travel, please contact the respective airlines directly for their pet acceptance requirements. The in cabin pet policy applies to Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines only.

Service Animals

The in cabin pet policy does not apply to service animals. Please visit Accessibility Services for more information about service animals. 

Limitation of Liability

It is important to note that the Pilot-In-Command has the final authority about whether a pet can travel in the cabin. Therefore we cannot guaranteed a pet will be able to travel inside the cabin with the passenger. Please be prepared for the possibility of being denied cabin travel at, or after, check-in time.

Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines will not accept responsibility for any event of loss, delay, injury, sickness, or death of any pet or service animal accepted for transportation.


Pets in Baggage Compartment

How to book

Booking a reservation for a pet in checked baggage must be done through the Customer Service Centre, online booking is not available for this service. 

The fees for transporting your pet as checked baggage are:

Travelling OptionFee
As checked baggage, 23-50 lbs including airline carrier$70, plus applicable taxes
As checked baggage, 51+ lbs including airline carrier$100, plus applicable taxes

Travel Requirements

Pets are permitted for travel in the baggage compartment of the aircraft, provided they meet the following requirements:

  • The pet must travel along with a passenger on the flight. 
  • Only one AVIH kennel per person permitted.
  • Pets must travel with an adult passenger.
  • Pets are not permitted with:
    • Unaccompanied minors
    • Passengers travelling with infants
  • Aggressive or visibly distressed pets may be denied transport at Perimeter Aviation or Bearskin Airline’s discretion.
  • An AVIH Live Animal in Baggage waiver form must be signed.

Pet Kennel Requirements

The pet kennel must meet the following requirements: 

  • The kennel must not exceed 90 linear inches (L+H+W).
  • Total weight of the kennel must not exceed 120 lbs.
  • Only one pet is permitted per carrier unless it is a mom and pups (2 pups permitted).
  • The pet must be able to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie within the kennel. 
  • The kennel must be airline approved, hard-sided, and well ventilated. Soft-sided pet carriers are not permitted.
  • The kennel must contain absorbent bedding material to prevent leaks. 
  • The name and contact information of the passenger along with an emergency alternate name and contact information must be on the kennel.
The highest point on the animal, either the tip of the ears or the top of the head (which ever is higher) must not touch the top of the kennel when the animal is standing naturally.
The highest point on the animal, either the tip of the ears or the top of the head (which ever is higher) must not touch the top of the kennel when the animal is standing naturally.

Unaccompanied Pets

All pets unaccompanied by a passenger must travel as cargo. Please visit the Rescue and Live Animals page for more information.

Winter Embargo

From October 15 – April 15, Perimeter and Bearskin Airlines enforces a winter embargo for the safety of live animals. The following conditions must be met for acceptance of pets as checked bagged during this time on Dash 8 aircraft:

  • The pet must be acclimatized to outside sub-zero temperatures.
  • The temperature is forecast or at -25 C or warmer at the departure and arrival airport. Temperature is based on Environment Canada forecast. 
  • The pet container must be lined with a blanket or suitable alternate bedding, such as a quilt or jacket appropriate for very cold weather.
  • The pet must not be sedated. Sedated animals do not maintain their body temperatures and cannot be monitored during transportation.

The pet will be kept in the warmth of the airport building prior to and after transportation. Pets will be loaded last and will be placed adjacent to the forward bulkhead of the cargo compartment. In the event of continuing flight delays that will exceed one hour, pets will be removed from the baggage compartment hold and placed in a warm area.

Pets in baggage compartment are not permitted on Metro aircraft during the winter embargo period.

Limitation of Liability

A Live Animals in Baggage Compartment Waiver is required for animals to be accepted for carriage. Perimeter Aviation and Bearskin Airlines will not accept responsibility for any event of loss, delay, injury, sickness, or death of any pet or service animal accepted for transportation.