Air Canada Expands Accessibility With New Mobility Aid Rules For Smoother Passenger Journeys

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

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August 29, 2026 10:47 PM

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Air Canada is improving accessibility with new mobility aid rules. The new policy provides an improved level of comfort and flexibility. Reliability is now included as a pillar of the policy as well. The revised policy includes measures to reduce barriers to passengers that use mobility aids. More predictability during travel will be experienced by passengers that use mobility aids and those passengers that are adaptive sports participants as well. The focus on enhanced inclusivity in air travel will ensure that adaptive, safe, and confident travel can be achieved throughout the journey.

The updated policy provides greater flexibility for passengers who need mobility aids or carry adaptive sports equipment during their flights with Air Canada. The initiative is part of the airline’s continued efforts to identify, reduce and eliminate accessibility barriers, ensuring customers with disabilities receive a more respectful, reliable and comfortable travel experience throughout every stage of their 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.”

Key features of Air Canada’s updated mobility aid policy include:

• Customers can now bring up to three mobility aids on their journey at no additional cost.
• Approved items may include a combination of personal mobility devices, adaptive sports equipment, personal lifts, patient transfer devices or similar support equipment.
• The policy benefits both adaptive athletes and leisure travellers with disabilities by making participation in sports, recreation and travel more accessible.
• When a mobility aid cannot be accommodated on the same aircraft as the passenger due to size restrictions, Air Canada Cargo will transport the item within Canada free of charge.
• The updated measures reinforce Air Canada’s commitment to improving accessibility and delivering a more inclusive travel experience for customers with disabilities.

The expanded policy is designed to meet the diverse needs of passengers travelling for business, leisure, medical appointments or adaptive sports activities. By creating a clearer and more consistent process for transporting, handling and supporting mobility aids, Air Canada aims to reduce uncertainty and provide a smoother travel experience from departure to arrival.

“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.”

Air Canada continues to strengthen its accessibility initiatives through its broader Accessibility Plan, which focuses on improving the travel experience for customers who use power wheelchairs and other mobility devices. The plan includes measures such as expanding accessible flight options, introducing digital tracking and notifications, increasing access to accessibility equipment, enhancing boarding and transfer assistance, and working closely with accessibility organisations, airports, regulators, aircraft manufacturers and mobility aid producers.

The airline has also introduced a mobility aid tracking feature within the Air Canada app, allowing passengers to check whether their equipment has been successfully loaded onto their flight. Alongside digital improvements, Air Canada has upgraded operational procedures for managing mobility aids, invested in specialised lift equipment at airports across Canada and continued employee training to ensure customers with disabilities receive safe, respectful and reliable support throughout their journey.