Flying with a Cat in Canada: Air Canada & WestJet Carrier Rules (2026)
Updated: Oct 2
Flying with a cat in Canada starts with the rules for your specific airline, aircraft and cabin. A carrier described as “airline approved” is not a guarantee that it will be accepted on your flight. This guide separates cabin requirements from equipment for vet visits, car journeys and short outdoor trips.
Reviewed: October 2, 2026. Confirm the requirements with the operating airline before booking your cat or buying a carrier.
Air Canada: choose a flexible, soft-sided cabin carrier
Air Canada has required soft-sided carriers for pets in the cabin since June 1, 2025. Hard-sided carriers and backpack carriers with hard plastic windows are not permitted in the cabin. The carrier must fit beneath the seat, and your cat must be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Size limits vary by aircraft and cabin. Check the dimensions for your booked flight rather than relying on one universal measurement. Reserve your pet’s space in advance and confirm any route or cabin restrictions. Read Air Canada’s official pet travel policy for the current requirements.
WestJet: soft-sided cabin kennels are also required
WestJet requires a soft-sided, secure, leak-proof and well-ventilated cabin kennel. Its published maximum is 41 cm long × 21.5 cm high × 25.4 cm wide. Space beneath the seat varies by aircraft, and your cat must fit comfortably inside the kennel.
Check availability and reserve a pet space before travel. Read WestJet’s official pet policy and confirm the requirements for the flights you will actually take.
Hard-sided carriers and bubble backpacks: choose them for the right journey
A hard-sided carrier may be useful for vet visits or car journeys, but it does not meet Air Canada or WestJet’s current cabin requirement. Checked transport is a separate service with its own container, route and animal restrictions. Do not assume a small carrier is suitable for checked transport.
A backpack can be convenient for a short ground trip when your cat is comfortable with it. Check ventilation, usable interior space, closures and the product’s weight limit. A hard plastic bubble window does not make a backpack suitable for Air Canada’s cabin.
For ground travel, explore the MuraPet hard-sided carrier or the MuraPet outdoor backpack. Compare their actual specifications with your cat’s size and intended use. These links are ground-travel options, not a promise of cabin acceptance.
Prepare the carrier before your trip
Introduce the carrier at home before you need it. Leave it open in a familiar room, add familiar bedding and let your cat investigate at its own pace. Build up to brief, supervised practice trips. Avoid forcing an anxious cat through a long training session.
Check the door, zips and fasteners before each use. Use an absorbent liner and pack spare liners, a small water bowl and cleanup supplies. Keep your cat securely enclosed during travel and ask your veterinarian for advice if your cat struggles with transport.
A practical pre-flight checklist
Confirm the operating airline, aircraft and cabin requirements.
Measure the carrier and check that your cat can move comfortably inside.
Reserve the pet space and check the airline’s arrival and check-in instructions.
Check destination-specific documents and entry requirements for international travel.
Inspect the carrier and pack familiar bedding, absorbent liners and water supplies.
Choose for your route, then shop
For an Air Canada or WestJet cabin journey, start with a soft-sided carrier that meets your flight’s requirements. For vet visits and ground travel, compare a hard-sided carrier or backpack on fit, ventilation and secure closure. Matching the carrier to the journey is more useful than a general “airline approved” label.
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