Canadian Pets Can Soon Fly As Hand Baggage - Don't Forget Travel Insurance!

As of July 1st 2009, Air Canada is to allow small pets to be taken as hand luggage on flights. They will allow customers to book a space under their seats for the pet to travel. It is expected to cost around £30 for a domestic flight in North America or £60 for international flights.

According to a statement from Air Canada, they have confirmed that in order to ensure availability of space, passengers have to register their pet by contacting Air Canada Reservations within 24 hours of completing their booking. The pets must be must stowed in leak proof hold-alls and must not weigh more than 10kg (22lb). In total, no flight would have more than four pets onboard; the comfort of other passengers including those with related allergies will be considered at the time of booking and seating.

Naturally due to the UK's strict quarantine regulations, the carriage of pets is would not be allowed on flights to or from Britain. However, in Britain at present, the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows pets to enter or return the country freely (subject to certain criteria having been met) without having to undergo the usual six-month quarantine period.

At the moment, Air Canada - along with many other major airlines - allows pets to travel only in containers as checked baggage. Over the years, Air Canada's policy has changed many times: in September 2006, they became the first airline to ban pets, excepting guide dogs, from its cabins on domestic flights, citing the "health and safety" of its passengers as the reasons for the decision. Then in July 2007, Air Canada barred pets in the baggage compartment also, saying that the airline was forced to take that decision due to "record load factors" in the previous 3 years, along with the new security measures that required passengers to check more luggage.

Air Canada have also had to fight a lengthy legal battle after it stopped letting pets fly as checked baggage in 2007. The Canadian Air Transportation Agency ruled, in 2008, against the decision and ordered that the airline must transport pets. However, the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the Canadian Air Transportation Agency's ruling, supporting Air Canada. The airline then changed the policy again, allowing pets to be carried on flights which have a baggage compartment that is temperature-controlled and ventilated. Now they have gone that one further, stating that this is "the latest of our customer-friendly initiatives that underscores our renewed commitment to listening to our customers and offering a competitive product that meets their needs."

This July also sees the launch of Pet Airways, an airline that will fly cats or dogs between five US cities. The pets will travel in a Beechcraft 1900 that can hold up to 50 animals, two pilots and one pet attendant. I wonder if they need to take out their own travel insurance?!

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