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Customers with special needs
Special seating

Extra seating

Customers who require extra seating because they are disabled by obesity or because they must accommodate another disability may request the service free of charge for travel within Canada on:

  • An Air Canada flight
  • An Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz
  • An Air Canada-coded flight operated by a Tier 3 carrier (when aircraft type and configuration allow)

Please be advised that extra seating is not available on Beech aircraft and in Executive Class, and may be restricted on CRJ and Embraer aircraft. View our Fleet page for more information on Air Canada and Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only) aircraft configuration.

For all other itineraries, fees for the extra seat vary by destination and by applicable fare at time of booking.

Passengers wishing to request extra seating because of a disability will require medical approval for travel (does not apply to itineraries between Canada and the United States).

Please read and follow the procedure for requesting medical approval carefully.

Customers who are not eligible for a free extra seat have the option to purchase one for comfort by contacting Air Canada Reservations.

No advance seat selection is permitted when requesting extra seating. Seats are assigned manually in advance of flight by the Air Canada Medical Services desk with the purpose of accommodating your disability.

When requesting an extra seat, a single reservation and ticket are required in the name of the person travelling. Duplicate bookings under the same name are not permitted, nor are identical bookings made under different names or pseudonyms.

Extra seating for medical reasons is not available in Executive Class. Some exceptions may apply to passengers requiring extra room because they are disabled by obesity or to accommodate another disability.


Special seat requirements

By contacting Air Canada Reservations, you can request a seat:
  • with liftable or removable armrests
  • with additional floor space to accommodate a service animal
  • close to the washrooms and exits
  • with extra legroom

View specific information for itineraries between Canada and the United States.

If you did not pre-select your seat when you made your reservation, but require special seating accommodations, please contact Air Canada Reservations.

If you are flying on a code share flight (operated by another carrier), Air Canada cannot guarantee special seating. Please contact either the operating carrier directly, or Air Canada Reservations, who will make every reasonable effort to fulfill your special seating needs.