What you need to know before you fly

  1. Have all appropriate and valid travel documents, including proof that you meet any requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. There may be additional passenger health screening or testing required before departure or upon arrival at destination.
  3. Arrive at the airport early. It may take longer than normal to check in, drop-off your baggage and get to your departure gate. Check your airline’s website and any notifications for applicable deadlines.
  4. You may be refused transport on a flight if you do not meet the airline's deadlines or if you do not have proper travel documentation.
  5. There are no requirements in the Air Passenger Protection Regulations that apply when an airline refuses to transport you on a flight because you did not have proper travel documentation or if you missed applicable deadlines

COVID-19 Travel requirements and documentation

Border restrictions in Canada and foreign countries are subject to change on short notice. Many countries, including Canada, require air passengers to meet special COVID-19 related travel requirements, which may include being fully vaccinated and pre-entry and post arrival COVID-19 testing. Air passengers must have all appropriate documentation required to enter the country they are going to, including proof that they meet any requirements related to COVID-19. There may also be additional passenger health screening required before departure or upon arrival at destination.

Refusal to transport

Under the terms and conditions of your ticket, airlines may refuse to transport you in certain situations. These could include situations where passengers are not in possession of appropriate travel documentation, where the airline's check-in, baggage drop-off or boarding deadlines are not met by the passenger, or where the airline must comply with applicable government travel requirements. In such situations, even if you hold a valid ticket/itinerary, the airline may not allow you to travel.

There are no requirements in the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) that apply when an airline refuses to transport you on a flight. The airline's obligations towards you, should you be refused transportation, are set out in its tariff. A tariff is the contract of carriage between you and your airline – it contains the airlines' terms and conditions of carriage, fares, rates and charges.

More information

For more information concerning requirements and planning for travel, please consult Transport Canada’s website and Travel.gc.ca or the Canada Border Services Agency's website.

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