Select the specific information you would like to have about the transport of pets in the checked baggage hold:
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.
- From Canada: The Canadian 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 necessary when the form is completed and signed by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency). The certificate is available from the CFIA website.
- For EU animals returning: Animals originating from an EU country may use an EU health certificate in lieu of a Canadian health certificate. The EU animal health certificate must be issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before the animal arrives in the EU.
- European Pet Passport: An European Pet Passport cannot replace the health certificate required for animals travelling from Canada and is only valid for travel between EU countries. The pet passport remains valid for the pet’s lifetime, provided that its rabies vaccination is kept up to date.
- 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. 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.