Travel with an Attendant

Travel with an Attendant

Air Canada is subject to the U.S.Department of Transportation's Rule on "Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel" (14 CFR Part 382) applicable to the services we offer customers with special needs who:

  • Are travelling on a flight between Canada and the United States; and
  • Have purchased a ticket with an Air-Canada operated flight through a US-based airline (the ticket will then bear the code of the US airline, e.g. United Airlines' UA 7811).

Travel with an Attendant/Safety Assistant

Air Canada may require that you travel with a safety assistant if:

  • Because of a mental disability, you are unable to comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions from onboard personnel;
  • You are affected by a mobility impairment so severe that you are unable to assist in your own evacuation of the aircraft in case of an emergency; or
  • You are affected by both severe hearing and severe vision impairments that are such that you cannot establish adequate means of communication with onboard personnel to allow for the transmission of the required safety briefing and to enable you to assist in your own evacuation of the aircraft in case of an emergency.

We recommend that you contact Air Canada Reservations in advance of travel to benefit from special rates* (if applicable) and to request adjoining seats for you and your safety assistant.

*Special rates do not apply to Hawaii.

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 and out of your seat.

You and your attendant will be seated together. You may not sit in different cabins and, for safety reasons, cannot be seated in an exit row.

Travel within Canada

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:

International Travel

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

* This does not include flights to and from the U.S.

More About Travel with an Attendant

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

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 Assistance Desk with the purpose of accommodating your special needs.

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.

Because of the unique configuration of Business Class Executive Pod and Classic Pod seats, prior authorization must be obtained from the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk if you are planning to travel in Business Class, and you are not self-reliant and severely physically disabled (paraplegic or quadriplegic) so as to require an  attendant to assist in getting in and out of your seat.

The transfer from the wheelchair to the Executive Pod or Classic Pod seat may be done with the assistance of your attendant, or by two Air Canada agents. In all cases, your attendant must be able to assist with your personal needs onboard, and help you in or out of your seat to an exit in the event of an emergency situation or an evacuation.