Four of Canada’s major airlines have harmonized the air travel requirements form they have for passengers flying with complex health needs; finding the form on each website is less straightforward.
Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet, as the member airlines of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) standardized the forms already in use, following a key recommendation from the 2024 Air Accessibility Summit. The new form was developed in close collaboration with members of the Canadian accessibility community. By standardizing the form, the NACC airlines aim to reduce the administrative burden on passengers with complex needs, their caregivers and healthcare providers.
“Members of the National Airlines Council of Canada are committed to improving the accessibility of air travel for all persons through the ongoing identification and removal of barriers. We will continue working with all stakeholders to improve the passenger experience,” says Jeff Morrison, President and CEO of NACC.
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) also welcomed the move. “Travel advisors are on the front lines of helping Canadians plan their journeys,” says Suzanne Acton-Gervais, President of ACTA. “Any measure that reduces uncertainty and increases accessibility is a win for our industry and for travellers. We commend the airlines for coming together on a unified approach and look forward to continued progress.”
According to ACTA, a key factor of the new standardized form is that it introduces no additional requirements for travellers. Instead, it streamlines existing information requests. It was created following months of consultation with disability advocates and subject-matter experts.
In the release from the NACC, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, also welcomed the effort, noting the value of working together to remove barriers to inclusivity. Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon highlighted the broader significance of the initiative as essential to ensuring that all Canadians can travel safely, independently and with dignity.
Where to Access the Forms
The accessibility hubs for each airline are listed at the bottom of this article. Finding the actual form takes a bit of digging though.
As the form is standardized, you can use the form from any of the airlines. Here’s how I managed to find them:
Acton-Gervais calls this a significant step for the industry. “Travel advisors regularly support clients navigating accessibility requirements, and a harmonized form will greatly simplify the process. Recognizing that airlines are fierce competitors, we applaud the leadership of NACC and the collaborative effort between NACC member airlines, government partners, and the accessibility community.”
For more information on each airline’s accessibility policies and resources, please see:
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