Accessible travel
Air Canada is committed to being a leader in accessible travel. We believe in providing our services and reimagining our spaces with accessibility in mind.
Airport wheelchair assistance
We offer three types of wheelchair assistance while you’re at the airport:
- Assistance for long distances within the airport
- Assistance for long distances and/or stairs
- Transfer assistance to/from the aircraft seat
Please make sure to select the right kind of assistance for your needs.
Boarding equipment and methods may vary depending on the airport and region of the world. If you have any questions about your destination or what kind of assistance you need, please contact Air Canada Accessibility Services.
How to request wheelchair assistance
Before you travel, you can quickly and easily request wheelchair assistance online by following the steps below.
I haven’t booked my flight yet:
- Start booking your flight with us.
- When you get to the “Who’s travelling?” page, click “Accessibility services” below the date of birth fields.
Once the accessibility services box pops up, select “Requiring wheelchair assistance” and choose what you need out of the options provided.
I’ve already booked my flight:
- Go to the “Trips” link on our homepage and enter your booking information, then click “Find.”
- Once your booking information appears, scroll to the bottom and select the “Accessibility services” dropdown for each passenger who requires wheelchair assistance.
- Select “Wheelchair assistance” and choose the type of assistance needed then click “Update.”
Once you’ve requested wheelchair service, this information will be included in the passenger details section of your booking.
Curbside assistance
Airports in Canada offer curbside assistance at accessible drop off and pickup locations. Find out more
Additional assistance at the airport
While you’re in the airport and upon request, we can:
- Help you to the washroom with the use of a wheelchair. Note: we can’t provide assistance inside the washroom. If you need help past the entrance of the washroom, you will need to be accompanied by your support person.
- Bring you to the waiting area close to your gate and check in with you periodically.
- Offer you the opportunity to board early so you can locate your seat and store your belongings. For this, please arrive at least 30 minutes before recommended boarding times. Otherwise, we may ask that you board after other customers, so that our agents can help you better.
Transfer to the aircraft seat
If you require support with transferring to your aircraft seat, we currently offer two options:
Manual transfer
A manual transfer is provided by a minimum of two trained staff members who will assist you from your own mobility aid into an aisle chair, which is a narrow wheelchair designed to fit down the aisle of an aircraft.
Once you are safely secured in the aisle chair, you will be escorted to your aircraft seat. The transfer technique will depend on the level of support you require.
Eagle Lift
The Eagle Lift is an innovative lifting device with a specialized sling for wheelchair users who require aircraft seat transfer support.
At the aircraft door, the Eagle Lift device and sling will be used to lift you out of your wheelchair before guiding you on to the aircraft and then lowering you into your aircraft seat.
There are two Eagle Lift models of different sizes, compatible with different aircraft and seat types.
The Eagle 2A works on all Air Canada aircraft except the De Havilland Dash 8-400 (DH4) and Mitsubishi CRJ900 (CR9).
The Eagle Lift 3A works on Business Class seats (except for Classic and Executive pods), as well as in the Premium Economy and Economy Class sections of the aircraft. Not every airport has the Eagle Lift 3A. Please refer to the table below to learn more about Eagle Lift availability in Canadian airports.
| Airport | Eagle Lift availability |
|---|
New Brunswick
| Bathurst (ZBF) | No |
| Fredericton (YFC) | Eagle 3A |
| Moncton (YQM) | Eagle 3A |
| Saint John (YSJ) | Eagle 3A |
Newfoundland & Labrador
| Deer Lake (YDF) | Eagle 3A |
| Gander (YQX) | Eagle 3A |
| Goose Bay (YYR) | No |
| St. John’s (YYT) | Eagle 2A |
Nova Scotia
| Halifax (YHZ) | Eagle 3A |
Prince Edward Island
| Charlottetown (YYG) | Eagle 3A |
Ontario
| London (YXU) | Eagle 3A |
| North Bay (YYB) | No |
| Ottawa (YOW) | Eagle 3A |
| Sault Ste. Marie (YAM) | No |
| Sudbury | Eagle 3A |
| Thunder Bay (YQT) | Eagle 3A |
| Timmins (YTS) | Eagle 3A |
| Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ) | No |
| Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | Eagle 3A |
| Windsor (YQG) | Eagle 3A |
Quebec
| Bagotville (YBG) | No |
| Îles de la Madeleine (YGR) | No |
| Montreal (YUL) | Eagle 2A |
| Rouyn-Noranda (YUY) | No |
| Quebec City (YQB) | Eagle 3A |
| Sept-Îles (YZV) | No |
Northwest Territories
| Yellowknife (YZF) | Eagle 3A |
Yukon
| Whitehorse (YXY) | No |
Alberta
| Calgary (YYC) | Eagle 2A |
| Edmonton (YEG) | Eagle 2A |
| Fort McMurray (YMM) | Eagle 3A |
| Grande Prairie (YQU) | Eagle 3A |
British Columbia
| Castlegar (YCG) | No |
| Comox (YQQ) | Eagle 3A |
| Cranbrook (YXC) | No |
| Fort St. John (YXJ) | Eagle 3A |
| Kamloops (YKA) | Eagle 3A |
| Kelowna (YLW) | Eagle 3A |
| Nanaimo (YCD) | Eagle 3A |
| Prince George (YXS) | Eagle 3A |
| Prince Rupert (YPR) | No |
| Sandspit (YZP) | No |
| Smithers (YYD) | Eagle 3A |
| Terrace (YXT) | Eagle 3A |
| Vancouver (YVR) | Eagle 3A |
| Victoria (YYJ) | Eagle 3A |
Manitoba
| Winnipeg (YWG) | Eagle 2A |
Saskatchewan
| Regina (YQR) | Eagle 3A |
| Saskatoon (YXE) | Eagle 3A |
On board
Once you are comfortably seated on board, our crew can, upon request:
- Help you store and retrieve your belongings
- Help you move to and from the aircraft washroom with the use of the on-board wheelchair
All Air Canada1 aircraft are equipped with an on-board wheelchair, with the exception of the De Havilland Dash 8-400 (DH4) Q400 aircraft operated by PAL Airlines, which may not.
Please note that we can’t provide assistance inside the washroom. If you need help past the entrance of the washroom, you will need to be accompanied by your support person.
Some of our planes have accessible washrooms with features designed for minimal effort.
See the chart below for more accessibility information regarding our fleet.
| Aircraft | Accessible IFE* system | On-board wheelchair | Wheelchair accessible washroom | Seats without moveable aisle armrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Airbus A220-300 (223) |  Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
 Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12 and 19 |
| Aircraft Airbus A319-100 (319) |  Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 1 to 4, and 12 |
| Aircraft Airbus A320-200 (320) |  Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Row 12 |
| Aircraft Airbus A321-200 (321) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12, 14 and 27, seat 15D, and all Signature Class seats |
| Aircraft Airbus A330-300 (333) |  Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Location varies by aircraft. |
| Aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12 and 19 |
| Aircraft Boeing 777-200LR (77L) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12, 13, 14, 18, 30, 31 (A, B, C, H, J, and K only) |
| Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12, 13, 14, 18, 30, 31 (A, B, C, H, J, and K only) and 50 |
| Aircraft Boeing 787-8 (788) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12, 13, 14, 18, and 31 |
| Aircraft Boeing 787-9 (789) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 12, 13, 14, 18, and 31 |
| Aircraft | Accessible IFE* system | On-board wheelchair | Wheelchair accessible washroom | Seats without moveable aisle armrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft De Havilland Dash 8-400 (DH4) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Seats 1AC and 2DF |
| Aircraft Embraer E175 (E75) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 1 to 3, and 12 |
| Aircraft Mitsubishi CRJ200 (CRJ) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Row 1 |
| Aircraft Mitsubishi CRJ900 (CR9) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Rows 1 to 4, 12, 19, and 20 |
| Aircraft | Accessible IFE* system | On-board wheelchair | Wheelchair accessible washroom | Seats without moveable aisle armrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Airbus A319-100 (319) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Row 1 |
| Aircraft Airbus A320-200 (320) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Row 1 |
| Aircraft Airbus A321-200 (321) | Accessible IFE* system |
On-board wheelchair |
Wheelchair accessible washroom |
Seats without moveable aisle armrest: Location varies by aircraft. |
*IFE refers to in-flight entertainment system
Using a personal electronic device
Tactile audio selection template available
On select aircraft
1. Air Canada includes Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines.
Questions before or during your trip?
We understand the importance of a great travel experience – Air Canada Accessibility Services is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process of planning your trip. Please contact us using the information below.
Air Canada Accessibility Services
Phone
1-800-667-4732 (toll-free for Canada and U.S.)
1-514-369-7039 (long distance charges apply)
TTY (teletypewriter): 1-833-754-3650 (toll free for Canada and U.S.)
437–880-6224 (long distance charges apply)
VRS (video relay): 1-833-768-2256 (toll free for Canada and U.S.)
437-880-6226 (long distance charges apply)
Fax
1-888-334-7717 (toll-free for Canada and the United States)
514-828-0027 (long distance charges apply)
Note: Please include your date of travel (day/month/year), last name, first name, and booking reference in the subject line.
e.g. 26/SEPT/2024, Jones, Mary, N3EI4E
In your email, please include your phone number and let us know if you use video relay/TTY so we can get in touch if we need more information.
Hours of operation (Eastern Time)
Daily: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
For issues when using an assistive technology tool:
1-844-347-4268 (toll-free for Canada and the United States)
Written confirmation of services
When you complete your booking, the assistance services you have requested will be indicated on your booking confirmation. Should you request services at the airport, one of our agents will be able to assist and provide you with written confirmation of this as well.
It is important to note that we can only confirm services that will be provided on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express.
For services on flights operated by other carriers, you will need to contact the other carrier directly to request and confirm any accessibility-related services.
Comments or concerns after your trip?
We’re committed to continually improving our accessibility services. We want to hear about your experience travelling with us.
Visit our customer support pageExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines and/or language preferences. and select Accessibility Concerns.
Select a topic then an issue from the dropdown menus.
Click Next.
Fill out the form with your information and details of the concern.
Our Commitments
As a partner to persons with disabilities, we make the following commitments:
Consult persons with disabilities and accessibility organizations, with a view to creating an enjoyable travel experience for persons with disabilities, whether in services or infrastructure, and providing a fulfilling employment experience in the workplace.
Develop and enhance accessibility features, policies and processes that broaden travel and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Train our employees and provide them with tools to encourage cooperation, lift barriers, and implement accommodations, both for our customers and our employees.
Promote a culture of respect and dignity in all our employees’ interactions with one another and with our customers and increase the representation of persons with disabilities within our workforce.
Collaborate with Canadian and international organizations and airport authorities to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are considered in the workplace and throughout their travel experience.
These commitments reinforce our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion in safe, accessible air travel for all customers, and accessible employment for all Air Canada employees.
Mike Rousseau
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
Our Accessibility Plan
We are committed to being leaders in accessible travel and believe in designing our products, services, and employment with accessibility in mind.
Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee
Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee was created in December 2023 to provide input and to guide us toward greater accessibility. The committee includes individuals who identify as having disabilities and are part of organizations that represent people with different disabilities and accessibility needs. The committee meets on a quarterly basis and is consulted on new and ongoing accessibility initiatives.
Questions or concerns
Do you need assistance with your upcoming travel plans? Contact Air Canada Accessibility Services at least 48 hours before departure, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Phone:
1-800-667-4732 (toll-free for Canada and the United States)
1-514-369-7039 (long distance charges apply)
Email:
accessible@aircanada.ca
Feedback on Accessibility Plan
Using any of the options below, you can provide accessibility feedback (including feedback on this Plan), request an alternate format of our Accessibility Plan, or request a description of our feedback process.
We will acknowledge your feedback in the same format you utilize. You can also submit anonymous feedback.
Online form:
Phone:
1-888-422-2408
(TTY and video relay available)
Mail:
Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
7373 Côte-Vertu Blvd. West
Ville Saint-Laurent, Quebec
H4S 1Z3
ZIP 1261
Director, Customer Accessibility
525 Viger Ave. Ouest
Montréal, Quebec
H2Z 0B2
Alternate formats
You can request our Accessibility Plan in any of the formats below by completing our online formExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines and/or language preferences..
Please allow 15 days
Large Print
Please allow 15 days
Braille
Please allow 45 days
Audio
Please allow 45 days
Website accessibility
At Air Canada, accessibility isn't just a checkbox—it’s an integral part of every innovation and interaction. We’re committed to providing the best possible travel experience to all people, addressing barriers in the built environment, products, and services that welcome and support people with disabilities.
Website accessibility
Air Canada is dedicated to making aircanada.com accessible to anyone with specific auditory, visual or mobility needs. We aim to enhance the accessibility and usability of our website by focusing on achieving level AA compliance as outlined within W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.
Compatible screen readers and tools
We consistently strive to accommodate diverse user preferences and guarantee accessibility across various platforms and screen readers. While we aim to address all feasible variations, for your convenience, we’ve listed the most popular ones below.
| Software | Recommended browser |
|---|---|
| NVDA (desktop screen reader) | Firefox  |
| JAWS (desktop screen reader) | Chrome, Edge   |
| VoiceOver on iOS (mobile screen reader for Apple devices) | Safari, Chrome  |
| TalkBack (mobile screen reader for Android devices) | Chrome |