Air Canada to allow pets in cabin starting in July

Air Canada and its regional airline Jazz will soon allow passengers to bring their cat or small dog into the aircraft cabin.

Currently, pets in containers must travel as checked baggage.

But at the beginning of July, travellers will be able to bring a limited number of dogs and cats aboard the plane, provided the container can be stowed under the seat.

Customers will have to register the animal with the airline and pay a fee of $50 in North America and $100 on international flights.

The Montreal-based airline says the number of animals on a flight will be limited to between two and four — depending on the type of aircraft — out of consideration for passengers who have pet-related allergies.

There have been fluctuations in the airline's animal-boarding policies in recent years.

In September 2006, Air Canada became the country's first airline to bar pets — with the exception of guide dogs  — from its cabins on domestic flights. The airline cited the health and safety of its passengers for the decision.

The following July, the airline implemented a policy barring pets from the baggage compartment as well.

Air Canada said the decision was prompted by "record load factors" in the previous three years, as well as new security requirements that were leading passengers to check more luggage.

Air Canada changed that policy as well, and pets can now be transported on flights that have a temperature-controlled and ventilated baggage compartment, according to the Air Canada website.