- Customers can now travel complimentary with up to three mobility aids
- New policy gives customers greater flexibility and consistency when travelling with mobility aids for work, leisure and adapted sport
- Customers can track loading and unloading status of mobility aid via the Air Canada app for peace of mind
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada today announced a new mobility aid travel policy designed to make travel simpler, more consistent and less stressful for customers who travel with mobility aids, including customers participating in adapted sports.
The new policy gives customers requiring the use of mobility aids, or travelling with adaptive sports equipment greater flexibility in bringing the items they need when they fly with Air Canada. It reflects the airline’s ongoing work to identify, remove and prevent barriers for customers with disabilities, and to provide a more dignified and predictable travel experience at every stage of the journey.
“Travelling with a mobility aid can involve significant planning, and we recognize the uncertainty customers may feel when they are separated from equipment that is essential to their independence,” said Kerianne Wilson, Director, Customer Accessibility at Air Canada. “This new policy is about giving customers more consistent choices, clearer expectations and greater confidence when they travel with us. It also reflects our commitment to listening to people with lived experience and continuing to improve accessibility across the travel journey.”
Highlights of the new policy include:
- Customers can now travel complimentary with up to three mobility aids.
- Eligible items can include any combination of personal mobility aids, adaptive sports equipment, or personal or patient lift, or similar transfer devices.
- The policy supports both adaptive athletes and recreational travellers with disabilities, helping remove barriers to participation in sport and leisure travel.
- If a mobility aid is too large to travel on the same aircraft as the customer, Air Canada Cargo will complimentarily transport it within Canada.
- The enhanced policy reflects Air Canada’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and creating an inclusive travel experience for customers with disabilities.
The policy supports customers with varied travel needs, including those travelling for business, leisure, medical reasons or adapted sport. It is intended to reduce uncertainty across different parts of the travel journey by providing a more consistent approach to how mobility aids are accommodated, handled and supported.
“Having this policy clearly defined means people with disabilities can travel, without having to explain or justify our needs. As both a traveller with a disability and a Para athlete, it is meaningful to see Air Canada recognize that the equipment we travel with, whether it supports daily life, care needs or participation in sport, are extensions of our bodies, not an extra piece of luggage,” said Meghan Hines, chair of Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. “This policy recognizes that accessibility needs do not look the same for everyone and that people with disabilities should be able to travel with the equipment they need without added uncertainty or having to advocate for an exception.”
“Air Canada continues to take meaningful steps to make travel more accessible, and this new policy will make a significant difference in making travel easier and more affordable for athletes at all levels of sport, from recreation to high-performance,” said Rachael Pinnock, Chief Commercial and Impact Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “This is a testament to Air Canada’s commitment to listening and learning from the experiences and perspectives of the Para sport community, and it is incredibly exciting to see those insights reflected in practical changes that will improve access to sport and travel. We are grateful for Air Canada’s ongoing partnership and their commitment to advancing accessibility.”
More information can be found on Air Canada’s website here.
Air Canada has continued to advance accessibility as part of its broader Accessibility Plan, which outlines initiatives to improve the experience of customers who use power wheelchairs and other mobility aids, including better flight options, digital tracking and notifications, improved availability of accessibility equipment, enhanced boarding and transfer support, and continued collaboration with accessibility partners, airports, regulators, aircraft manufacturers and mobility aid manufacturers.
The airline has also developed a mobility aid tracking feature in the Air Canada app, giving customers peace of mind by allowing them to confirm their mobility aid has been loaded on their flight. In addition, Air Canada has reviewed operational procedures for handling mobility aids, invested in specialized lift equipment at airports across Canada, and continues to provide training to employees on safely and respectfully supporting customers with disabilities.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC).
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