Customers with special needs
Advance notice and medical approval for travel
The ‘Medical approval’ section below lists the medical conditions for which you must provide 48 hours’ notice (72 hours for certain destinations) in advance of travel (we will, however, make every effort to accommodate requests received after the deadline).
This section does not apply to itineraries between Canada and the US, for which there are specific medical approval and advance notice requirements.
But even if your situation does not require that you provide advance notice prior to travel, we recommend that you contact Air Canada Reservations in advance if you require special seating accommodations, or special assistance at the airport or in flight, so we may better serve your needs.
Please note that you must
check in 2 hours prior to departure if:
- You require medical oxygen (e.g. Medipak or CPAP), or need to use your personal oxygen concentrator (POC). View list of approved POCs for travel on Air Canada flights. Please note that POCs must bear a label from the manufacturer to reflect that it has been tested to meet requirements for such devices set by the Canadian government;
- You are travelling with an electric wheelchair on a Dash 8, CRJ or Beech aircraft (fewer than 60 seats). Please view our Fleet page for more information;
- You have both a severe hearing and severe vision impairment;
- You need Air Canada to provide hazardous materials packaging for the battery of your battery-operated assistive device (e.g. wheelchair);
- You are travelling as part of a group of ten or more qualified individuals with a disability.
Medical approval for travel
View medical approval and advance notice requirements for itineraries between Canada and the US.
For all other itineraries, you must:
If one of the following medical conditions applies to you:
- You suffer from an unstable medical condition (physical or psychological).
- You have suffered from a recent major medical incident (e.g. heart attack, heart failure, stroke, respiratory failure). A change in cabin pressure may affect your condition.
- You have chronic obstructive lung disease (e.g. emphysema) or a chronic heart condition. A change in cabin pressure at high altitude may worsen your medical condition.
- You have undergone surgery in the last 2 weeks on your brain, eyes, ears, sinuses, chest or abdomen.
- You have a blood disorder such as anaemia or leukemia. High altitude may affect oxygenation.
- You have a history of seizures.
- You require oxygen or need to use your personal oxygen concentrator (POC). View list of approved POCs for travel on Air Canada flights. Please note that the use of an approved POC for travel requires a 48 hours advance notice prior to departure, regardless of destination.
- You require the use of battery-powered medical equipment during the flight. View important information on CPAP, sleep apnea and other battery powered medical equipment.
- You have an infectious or contagious disease that could pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others on your flight (e.g. tuberculosis).
- You require an attendant to assist you with your personal and physical needs during the flight. Please see the 'Travel with an attendant' link below.
- You have thrombophlebitis (inflamed blood vessels and/or blood clots). Prolonged postures, such as sitting, may aggravate such conditions.
- You have had an incident on board a previous flight or at the airport and may require medical attention.
- You have caused a flight diversion on a previous flight due to a medical condition.
- You are an Unaccompanied Minor and have a medical problem (an attendant may be required).
- You have a cognitive or medical impairment (e.g. Down syndrome, Alzheimer's disease). Air Canada offers a Service for Unaccompanied Adult Requiring Assistance.
- You suffer from epilepsy.
- You are travelling with an infant aged 7 days or less, a premature infant, or an infant less than 12 months old with a significant medical condition, who has recently undergone medical treatment.
- You have a cast that was placed on a part of your body less than 72 hours ago. High altitude may cause increased swelling which may, in turn, affect circulation.
- You have a full leg cast, a leg that cannot bend or flex and/or must remain extended at all times, or severe back problems.
- You are disabled by obesity. Please see the ‘Special seating’ link below.
Please note that not all Jazz aircraft have an on-board wheelchair able to access the plane's washrooms. If this is an important consideration for you, please contact Air Canada Reservations and ask for the Medical Assistance Desk to make the necessary arrangements for your flight.
View our Fleet page for more information on Jazz aircraft configuration.
