Air Transat Pet Policies
Your pet
We would like to remind you that no animals are allowed in the cabin with passengers with the exception of service animals (conditions apply, see below).
Only cats and dogs are accepted as animals for carriage in the cargo hold. All other animals are refused on all Air Transat flights. Passengers must be in possession of all animal-related documents required by the country of destination (consult your travel agent). [AMZ asins='B00QHC01C2,B00AAPGA2W,B000633ZOY,B0B77BRG75']
To United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, cats and dogs will be accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights - advance arrangements are required. Please contact our Cargo department for more information. Service animals are accepted - please see below for more information. Animals are also not accepted on flights going to Jamaica.
Advance notification
If you are travelling with dogs and/or cats, you must reserve with Air Transat at least 72 hours prior to departure by calling our Information and Seat Selection Centre at 1-877-TRANSAT (872-6728) or locally in the Montreal region 514-636-3630. People who are hearing impaired can call 1-866-234-5136 (TTY) toll free within North America or 514-906-5196 in the local Montreal area. In Europe, please dial 00800-872 672 81. This will ensure that the maximum number of pets per aircraft has not been exceeded. Passengers arriving at the airport who have not made arrangements in advance may be subject to denial of carriage of the animal.
Important notice
Please be aware that Air Transat (in accordance with its AVIH program) does not transport Pit bulls. The carriage of this breed of dog will not be permitted under any circumstances.
Certain breeds of dog are refused entry to some countries or regions. We are, therefore, unable to transport the following dog breeds:
American Staffordshire Terrier
Boerbulls
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Pit Bull Terriers
Mastiff
Tosa
Each country has specific requirements for the acceptance of animals, including documentation, restrictions of breeds, fees and conditions for acceptance. It is very important that passengers travelling with their pets consult local authorities before departure, and the following links below may help you to find this information. In addition, passengers with pets should always consult with their veterinarian and their travel agent prior to booking.
Belgium
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm
Canada
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/petani/petanie.shtml
Colombia
http://www.embajadacolombia.ca/en/
Costa Rica
"http://www.costaricaembassy.com/services/tourism.htm#4
Cuba
Please contact the Cuban Consulate in Montreal at 514-843-8897
Dominican Republic
Please contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Ottawa at 613-569-9893
France
http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org/spip.php?article352#TAKING-PETS-TO-FRANCE
Germany
http://www.ottawa.diplo.de/Vertretung/ottawa/en/01/Tourism/travel__with__pets__Seite.html
Greece
Please contact the Greek Consulate in Montreal at 514-875-2119
Haiti
Please contact the Consulate of Haïti in Montreal at 514-499-1919
Ireland
To United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, cats and dogs will be accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights - advance arrangements are required. Please contact our Cargo department for more information. Service animals are accepted - please see below for more information.
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/
Italy
Please contact the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa at 613-232-2401
Jamaica
No animals are accepted on flights to Jamaica.
Mexico
http://portal.sre.gob.mx/canadaingles/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=50&op=page&SubMenu=#PETS
Netherlands
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm
Panama
Please contact the Embassy of Panama in Ottawa at 613-236-7177
Portugal
Contact the consulate at 514-499-0359 or 416-217-0966
Spain
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm
Switzerland
http://www.bvet.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en
Turkey
http://www.turkishembassy.com/II/K/regulations_for_animals.htm
United Kingdom
To United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, cats and dogs will be accepted as cargo only on Air Transat flights - advance arrangements are required. Please contact our Cargo department for more information. Service animals are accepted - please see below for more information.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/index.htm
U.S.A
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml
Venezuela
http://www.insai.gob.ve
Transportation fees
** New regulations in effect for departures April 1, 2012 and onwards. See below for details.
For travel to and from Europe, the fee is CAD250 or local currency equivalent each way per animal regardless of the animal's weight. For all other flights, the fee is CAD100 or local currency equivalent each way per animal.
** New regulations
For departures April 1, 2012 and onwards, new transportation fees will apply:
For travel to and from Europe, the fee will be CAD275 or local currency equivalent each way per animal. For all other flights, the fee will be CAD150 or local currency equivalent each way per animal.
Regulations
Animal must travel in a cage supplied by the passenger on which the name of the animal has been written.
The animal must be in a cage approved for air transportation (IATA regulations). A plain rigid plastic cage is mandatory. Cages made of wire or any other material will not be accepted (a wire door is acceptable).
The cage must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down or acceptance may be denied.
All cage doors must be secured with a locking mechanism to prevent opening. (*See additional information below)
In general, only one (1) animal per cage is accepted, and no animal under 12 weeks of age may travel alone. Exceptions to this are as follows: Dogs and cats: a mother with puppies or a mother with kittens between 6-12 weeks old, or, up to 3 puppies or kittens from the same litter between 12 weeks and 6 months. The cage must always be big enough to accommodate all of the animals.
For the comfort and safety of the animal, passengers presenting cages that do not comply with the requirements described above may be denied transportation for the animal.
The owner of the animal will have to pay CAD30 (plus tax) per animal for inspection by Agriculture Canada upon entry into Canada (except from the U.S.).
*In order to provide additional safety for your animal, Air Transat may apply supplemental strapping to your animal's cage. The strapping, provided by Air Transat at no cost to you, will help to ensure that your dog or cat remains secure inside their cage for the duration of their trip. It helps to prevent the door from opening, which can commonly occur with many types of animal cages during transport.
On arrival, you will need a sharp instrument to cut the strapping from the cage once you have cleared and exited customs in your destination. Please note that due to security restrictions our ground personnel cannot provide this tool for you. We recommend that this be packed in your checked baggage as it won't be permitted as carry on or through any security checkpoint.
Animal cages are available for purchase at select Canadians airports. Please note the applicable fees below (taxes are already included).
We suggest that cages be purchased prior to the travel date, as availability at the airport is limited.
Recommendations
Please don't forget to prepare your animal for travelling. Getting used to a cage can be done well in advance to reduce your animal's insecurity during handling and flight. We suggest you talk to your veterinarian prior to departure.
The passenger should not provide food or water during the flight but a small bowl must be secured inside each cage in the event of a delay.
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 (see your veterinarian).
Agriculture Canada and IATA do not recommend giving tranquillizers to travelling animals. If you're thinking about doing so, please consult your veterinarian.
Limit of liability
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 three 3 days prior to departure without any penalty. Cancellations to the travel itinerary of your animal are accepted up to thirty 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.
Service animals
We will be pleased to welcome on board certified service animals that are travelling with a person with a disability.
However, please note that the United Kingdom will only allow entry through certain airports and extensive pre-flight arrangements and paperwork must be completed well before the intended date of travel (months before in some cases). Please contact us for details. When departing from the United Kingdom, service animals will be accepted from any airport to Canada, upon presentation of the proper documentation.
Before you travel
Please contact us well in advance of travel to discuss the most appropriate arrangements for your trip, including seating and space required for you and your service animal, and any destination specific advance requirements.
To ensure seating with sufficient floor space for the animal, we strongly recommend that you select your seat at time of booking by calling us at 1-877-TRANSAT (872-6728) or locally in the Montreal region 514-636-3630. People who are hearing impaired can call 1-866-234-5136 (TTY) toll free within North America or 514-906-5196 in the local Montreal area.
During the discussion with our agent, we can best assign the most appropriate seating and space for you and your service animal. We ask that you contact us as soon as you have booked your flight, but at minimum, 72 hours before your flight. All efforts will be made to honour requests received after that time.
There is no cost to you for selected seating or for your certified service animal to accompany you in the cabin.
Service animals will not be carried unless proper permits are obtained for entry into the countries of transit or final destination, and such permits are presented prior to commencement of travel. Passengers will also be asked to present the training certificate prior to travel.
Some countries have very specific entry requirements or restrictions for entry. For example, the United Kingdom will only allow entry through certain airports and extensive pre-flight arrangements and paperwork must be completed well before the intended date of travel (months before in some cases). Please contact us for details.
At the Airport
When departing, an Air Transat agent or Airport agent will be pleased to assist you with:
Registration at check-in counter
Moving to the boarding area
Pre-boarding (passengers with service animals will board the aircraft in priority)
Once on board, your service animal must stay under your supervision and wear its harness at all times.
On arrival, an Air Transat agent can assist you with:
Deplaning
Retrieving checked baggage
Moving to the general public area
Getting to a representative of another airline for a flight connection
We recommend that you review the section on service animals on the Canadian Transportation Agency website:
http://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/accessible-transportation
Flights operated by other carriers
Please note that your departure or return flight may be operated by a carrier other than Air Transat (CanJet).
Please check your e-ticket to confirm the name of the carrier operating the flight (see the line "operated by").
Since every airline has its own rules and regulations, which may differ from Air Transat's, please visit their website to learn more about your carrier's transportation regulations.
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