MONTRÉAL — Air Canada has introduced a new mobility aid travel policy aimed at making travel more consistent and predictable for customers with disabilities, including adaptive athletes.

Under the new policy, customers can travel free of charge with up to three mobility aids. Eligible items can include personal mobility aids, adaptive sports equipment and personal or patient lifts or similar transfer devices.

If a mobility aid is too large to travel on the same aircraft as the customer, Air Canada Cargo will transport it within Canada at no charge.

“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.”

Air Canada says the policy is designed to support customers travelling for business, leisure, medical reasons or adapted sport, while providing a more consistent approach to how mobility aids are accommodated and handled.

“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.”

Rachael Pinnock, Chief Commercial and Impact Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee, said the policy will also make travel easier and more affordable for athletes at all levels.

“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 Pinnock. “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.”

The new policy builds on Air Canada’s broader Accessibility Plan, which includes initiatives around power wheelchairs and other mobility aids, improved flight options, digital tracking and notifications, enhanced boarding and transfer support and collaboration with airports, regulators and manufacturers.

Air Canada has also added mobility aid tracking to its app, allowing customers to confirm that their equipment has been loaded onto their flight. The airline says it has also invested in specialized lift equipment at airports across Canada and continues to provide employee training on supporting customers with disabilities.