Boarding flights to and within Canada

On this page

• Flying to Canada requirements – entry, testing, hotels
• Requirements to board flights to and within Canada
• Flying to another province or territory
• If Canada is not your final destination
• Departing Canada
• Travellers with signs or symptoms

Flying to Canada requirements – entry, testing, hotels

The COVID-19 pandemic restricts travel to Canada and within Canada. It is essential to understand and comply with the requirements.

If you are flying to Canada, you cannot connect to domestic flights until after your stopover at the government-authorized hotel at your international arrival airport.

Use the checklist for all requirements, including ArriveCAN, testing and government-authorized hotels.

Requirements to board flights to and within Canada

All existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for air travellers remain in place, including temperature screening, health check questions, and wearing masks on board flights to and within Canada.

Travellers won’t be allowed to board if they:

• have symptoms of COVID-19 unless they have a medical certificate stating that their symptoms are not COVID-19 related or
• have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19 or
• are subject to a provincial or local public health order

In addition, foreign nationals won’t be allowed to board a flight to Canada if:

• they’re travelling from a country other than the United States and are not covered by any of the exemptions in the Orders in Council or
• they’re travelling from a country other than the United States for an optional and discretionary purpose

All air travellers must wear a mask while travelling, except:

• children under 2 years old
• people who are unable to remove the mask without assistance
• people who provide a medical certificate certifying that they are unable to wear a face mask for a medical reason

Requirements for public transportation to and from your flight

Operators of public transportation services may require travellers to wear a mask.

Before you travel, check for updates to see how transportation measures affect your plans and what you need to pack.

Transportation measures for travellers

Flying to another province or territory

You will need to check if there are any restrictions that apply at your final destination.

• Provincial and territorial restrictions

If Canada is not your final destination

If you’re only transiting through Canada to reach another country, see transit to another country by air.

Departing Canada

To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada advises that you avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada and all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.

Foreign nationals leaving Canada should consult with the country of their destination.

Travelling outside of Canada

Travellers with signs or symptoms

If you have signs or symptoms of COVID-19 you will be required to isolate. You will not be allowed to use public transportation to travel to the place where you must isolate.

You will not be allowed to board any public flight until:

• 14 days have passed or
• you present a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms are not related to COVID-19