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Flying with Air Canada
Customers with special needs
Travel with an attendant

You will need to travel with an attendant if you are not self-reliant and are severely physically disabled (e.g. paraplegic or quadriplegic) so as to require assistance in getting in an out of your seat.

Travel within Canada

Eligible flights

An attendant may travel with you at no charge if you are travelling only within Canada on:

  • An Air Canada flight
  • An Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian and Exploits Valley Air

Please note that all applicable taxes remain payable, except the Gander Airport Authority's Improvement fee.

How to book

Here’s what you need to do to book travel for yourself and for your attendant:

  • First, complete your own booking online, then

  • Call the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk immediately so an agent can complete a booking for your attendant on the same flight as yours, and ensure that you have adjoining seats:

    1-800-667-4732 (Toll-free between Canada and the U.S.)
    1-514-369-7039 (long distance charges apply)
    Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm (Eastern Time)
    Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 6pm (Eastern Time)

  • Print a copy of the Air Canada Fitness for Travel form and
  • Follow the instructions on how and when to request medical approval for travel.

Travel to or from the U.S.

View specific information for travel with a safety assistant on itineraries between Canada and the U.S..


International travel

If you are not self-reliant and need to travel with an attendant on an international flight, you must:


Aeroplan bookings

If you are travelling on an Aeroplan booking, contact Aeroplan directly to book your attendant's flight, and then call the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk if medical approval is required:

1-800-667-4732 (Toll-free between Canada and the U.S.)
1-514-369-7039 (long distance charges apply)
Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 6pm


Advance seat selection

Advance seat selection is not permitted when travelling with an attendant. Seats are assigned manually in advance of your flight by the Air Canada Medical Services desk with the purpose of accommodating your special needs.


Changing your choice of attendant

Should your choice of attendant change prior to travel, Air Canada will accommodate this change free of charge with 48 hours advance notice.

We will, however, make a reasonable effort to accommodate changes made within this time frame. Certain conditions may apply.

Please call Air Canada Reservations for more information.


Travel in the Executive First Suite

Passengers who are not self-reliant and are severely physically disabled (paraplegic or quadriplegic) so as to require an attendant to assist in getting in an out of a seat usually cannot be accommodated in our Executive First Suite.

Exceptionally, on a case-by-case basis, authorization can be obtained from the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk if, on fact-based evidence, it determines that the attendant accompanying the non self-reliant passenger is physically capable of taking full responsibility for transferring the passenger in and out of the Suite.

Please contact Air Canada Reservations for more information.