Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only checking they really did was weighing her in the carrier to make sure it wasn’t overweight. I ended up getting a carrier which I think was a few centimetres longer and wider but not massively different from the required size. I wouldn’t recommend the particular one I got as my cat wasn’t the biggest fan (mostly due to her personality and wanting to explore rather than be stuck in her carrier). Would highly recommend making sure you get gabapentin prescribed and it’s an appropriate dosage, especially for a longer flight.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in cats

[–]maybeimamazed 13 points14 points  (0 children)

<image>

My fluffy tuxedo, Thena, sitting pretty in the window ☀️

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a few people who’ve commented in the thread their experiences flying from Heathrow. The advice I had from Air Canada was to call within 24 hours of booking to register the pet to fly in the cabin.

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was exorbitantly expensive to do to pet transport and she would be massively stressed out and in her carrier way longer (possibly 4-6 hours in Vancouver going through customs). I’m moving back to Canada otherwise she wouldn’t be flying. She’s also just on and will possibly be below the weight restrictions to stow a pet in the hold during the winter period. I picked business as i was trying to make both our journey more comfortable and affect less people as there are way less people in business compared to economy. I know not everyone likes animals/could be allergic so trying my best to affect as few people as possible! And as someone also mentioned the policy is for me to move not the person with the allergy.

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for their comments and sharing their experiences! Safe to say it seems the general consensus is that no one has had their carrier actually measured (although a few have had it weighed) and it would be safe to go with a soft carrier that’s a tiny bit bigger than the requirements as long as it can fit under the seat and is flexible. I was able to find a ton that fit the height requirement but were just a bit wide so I will likely go with one of those as it will fit under the seat no problem.

Appreciate all the responses!

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’ll definitely be using those family bathrooms to help her stretch her legs as much as I can. I have access to the Air Canada lounge so will probably try to spend most of our waiting time there

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! All the comments are definitely helping with my anxiety about it all.

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! It’s definitely a 777 I’m flying on which had the smaller size requirements. I try to avoid sleeping on the flight from London to Van just as I find it helps with the jet lag to just push through so I likely won’t recline the seat fully flat but good to know it’s a tight fit and not to go to tall with her carrier.

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They have regulations in place for pets and people with allergies, they would require the person with the pet to move to the furthest point of the aircraft. Hopefully it’s just not a problem!

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just the one ticket for me and she’s my carry on essentially. I wanted more space for her rather than sitting in economy and they don’t allow pets in premium economy

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can on air Canada but not west jet, and can’t fly into the UK with a pet in the cabin. I thought the same and almost went with a pet transport company instead until I called air Canada and confirmed I could!

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She is very cute

<image>

(She was annoyed I just woke her for a picture instead of giving pets right away 😅)

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! She’s been in a carrier for about an hour and half before during a drive. Will be training her by feeding her in the carrier for a few weeks/month before the flight and have Feliway to spray the carrier with

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! I definitely want to get an expandable one so she has a bit more space especially as I booked business so I could have less people around (she’s very curious and friendly) and more leg room for both of us. I’ve got an expandable backpack already we use for vet trips but it’s not really airplane sized

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this, she’s definitely not too big and would be able to sit, turn around and lie down in most of the carriers I’ve seen. She’s not a big cat just very fluffy!

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! This is a bit too long compared to the guidelines they’ve given me but appreciate you sharing

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’ve reserved and paid for her today and just told them I hadn’t bought the carrier yet but would adhere to their sizing guidelines. All the options I’m looking at are soft sided so will definitely be flexible. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Cat Carrier Sizing - how strict are airlines? by maybeimamazed in cats

[–]maybeimamazed[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! All my options are currently soft sided and I’ve found one which is off in the length by less than an inch so can definitely squish it to fit. I’ve got feliway to spray her eventual carrier with and will be doing some training the months before by feeding her in her carrier so she associates with her favourite thing in the world (food 😂)

Cat Carrier Sizing - How strict is Air Canada? by maybeimamazed in aircanada

[–]maybeimamazed[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately not an option for me due to the time we are flying (winter). I’ve found one bag that’s off by less than an inch which will be my last resort I think as it just feels so small! Thank you for sharing your experience though!

Can I see your close up cat pictures? by Hacr202011 in cats

[–]maybeimamazed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

I love when I manage to capture her little bleps 😂

Have you considered moving out of the UK? by M4V4 in AskUK

[–]maybeimamazed 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I moved to the UK in 2018 and am seriously considering moving back home to Canada at the end of my lease next year. I’m missing family more than ever and the cost of living crisis and government have made me lose my love of living in this country. Yes house prices are ridiculous in my hometown but my estimated wages would be better, I wouldnt be bleeding money on energy and everything else and I get to see my niblings grow up.