Special Needs

In order to serve you better, we ask that passengers requiring assistance notify Canadian North 48 hours prior to departure. Regardless, with less than 48 hours, we will still make every effort to accommodate your requests. For further information, please call Canadian North Reservations at 1-800-661-1505.

We know that everyone’s travel needs are unique. Passengers with special needs may carry the following aids as checked baggage in addition to their free baggage allowance without charge:

• Electric wheelchairs 
• Scooters or manually operated rigid-frame wheelchairs (on aircraft with more than 60 seats) 
• Manually-operated folding wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches or braces
• Communication devices
• Prostheses
• Other medical devices

Persons in manually operated wheelchairs may remain in their wheelchairs:

• Until they reach the gate where facilities permit
• While moving between the terminal and the aircraft door where space and facilities permit
• While moving between the terminal and the passenger seat 

Small mobility aids may be carried within the passenger cabin without charge and where space permits. When a mobility aid cannot be carried in the passenger cabin, we will safely disassemble and package it for the flight, unpackaging, reassembling and returning it promptly upon arrival at destination. 

Dedicated to meeting specialized medical requirements as well as assisting disabled passengers, our Meda Desk staff demonstrate sensitivity and awareness toward all specific travel needs.

To reach the Meda Desk call 1-506-547-7065, or call our toll-free reservations number and ask for the Meda Desk.

We understand that our staff may not always have all the resources necessary to meet the medical needs of our passengers. In these cases, and when required by the airline or by the disabled passenger's physician, any able bodied person(s) over 18 years of age, capable of assisting the disabled passenger and attending to all their needs during flight, will be entitled to a guaranteed fare. (Please note that the attendant fare will only apply upon completion of a T43 Incapacitated Passenger Declaration Form from the disabled passenger's physician. Please call the Meda Desk for further assistance.)

Stretchers can be accommodated on all of our B737 and Dash 8 aircraft. All arrangements / reservations must be made through the Meda Desk.

Passengers may bring their own portable oxygen on Canadian North operated flights between destinations within Canada.  They cannot bring their own oxygen on flights to and from the USA.

Passengers, who want to bring their own oxygen, must ensure that it meets the following guidelines:

• Only *D* type bottles under cm/22in in length including the regulator are permitted.
• Dry / Gas Oxygen only. Under no circumstances can liquid or solid oxygen carry-packs be used.
• Oxygen bottles are from a bonafide supplier IE Vitalair, and have current certification, with tag affixed to the neck of the cylinder indicating the last service date and the purity of contents.
• A T43 Incapacitated Passenger Declaration Form must be complete and signed by the passenger's physician, stating the requirement for oxygen and the flow rate. The T43 must be returned to the Meda Desk prior to departure. 

Passengers requiring Canadian North to supply in-flight oxygen must provide Canadian North with at least 48 hours notice that in-flight oxygen will be needed.  A T43 Incapacitated Passenger Declaration Form must be signed by the passenger's physician stating the requirement for oxygen and the flow rate. The T43 must be returned to the Meda Desk prior to departure.

It is the passenger's responsibility to make arrangements for oxygen services with the operating carrier when connecting onto flights operated by another carrier (including flights with a Canadian North flight number).

Service Animals

Any certified trained service animals assisting persons with disabilities or injury are accepted with no additional charge. These service animals are carried in the passenger cabin at the customer's feet. Notification must be given to the Meda Desk prior to departure.

Passengers travelling on Canadian North who are disabled by obesity and require a second, adjacent seat for medical reasons will be entitled to this seat free of charge, provided that the passenger file a completed T43 Incapacitated Passenger Declaration with Canadian North's Meda Desk.* The completed T43 form must be signed by the passenger's attending physician. Section MEDA07 of the form must be completed in full and must indicate that the passenger requires an extra seat due to obesity.

The extra seat approval will be based on the physician's measurements of the patient's width (at hips or waist, whichever is greater) and BMI (Body Mass Index). Extra seat approval will be granted at Canadian North's sole discretion.

If Canadian North approves the extra seat request, approval will be granted for a one-year period. The approval expiry date will be one year from the date the completed T43 form is received by the Meda Desk. The passenger will not be charged any taxes, airport improvement fees or surcharges for the extra seat.

Booking Procedures

Passengers must contact the Meda Desk to make arrangements for the extra seat at least 48 hours in advance of travel. You can choose to either download our T43 form or request our reservations agents to provide a copy via fax or mail. PART 1 must be completed by you, while your attending physician completes PART 2 (section MEDA07 must be completed). The completed T43 form must then be faxed to the Meda Desk. If you are traveling more than once within your one year approval period, you only have to complete one T43 form.

Passengers who require an extra seat for comfort (i.e. not for medical reasons) may purchase one by contacting the Meda Desk.

*NOTE: Canadian North will accept Air Canada's “Fitness for Travel” Form for interline itineraries, so the passenger's physician does not have to complete two forms.

Aircraft Pre-boarding

Pre-boarding is available on all our flights for any passenger requiring a little extra time or assistance, as well as anyone traveling with small children or infants.

Aircraft Seating

You may request pre-reserved seating when making your reservation to suit your specific needs. We can provide such features as extra legroom, removable armrests and proximity to washrooms and exits. 

Meet and Assist

Should you make your special needs available to us at the time of booking, we will be better able to provide you with airport assistance.

Onboard Washrooms

All of our aircraft have washrooms with additional features to assist passengers with disabilities. All washrooms are accessible and are specially designed for ease of use. 

Special Needs Safety Briefing

Individualized briefings will be given upon request to any customers with special needs who are unable to receive all required safety information provided in the general passenger briefing.