Flair Airlines Denies Boarding Over Unclear Infant and Pet Policy Update

December 22, 2025 at 06:38 PM•2 min read

Flair Airlines denied a couple boarding from Abbotsford Airport due to a disputed infant/pet policy, highlighting the need for clearer airline travel

Key Points

1Flair Airlines denied boarding to a couple with an infant and two dogs on December 12 due to a new internal policy update.
2Transport Canada directly contradicted Flair Airlines' claim that the rule was a government requirement, stating no such federal regulation exists.
3The family successfully rebooked and flew with Air Canada days later, demonstrating the rule is specific to Flair Airlines' operations.

A Canadian couple was recently denied boarding on a Flair Airlines flight, sparking debate over unclear airline pet travel rules and passenger notification standards. Ryan Coulson and Rebecca Bordeiasu were traveling from Abbotsford Airport in British Columbia for the holidays. The family included two adults, one infant daughter, and two pet dogs in the cabin.

They were denied boarding on December 12 due to a policy update they were not warned about. The incident highlights the challenges of traveling with infant and pet during peak seasons.

Policy Confusion and Regulatory Conflict

Airline staff told the couple they could not board the aircraft. The couple was informed of a new internal policy, reportedly implemented on November 20. This rule stated a passenger cannot fly with both an infant and a dog. The couple noted that the airline's website still allowed the booking.

Flair Airlines later updated its website wording on December 17 to clarify the rule. The updated policy states: "Each adult may travel with either one infant or one pet". It further claimed the rule was a requirement from Transport Canada.

However, Transport Canada contradicted the airline's claim in a statement. The regulator confirmed there are no Transport Canada requirements related to passengers travelling with both infants and pets. They noted that individual carriers set their own policies. This conflicting information raises questions about the transparency of the denied boarding airline policy.

Industry Context and Passenger Impact

The couple was forced to rebook their journey with Air Canada a few days later. They were allowed to fly together with their infant and pets without issue. This suggests that the restriction is specific to Flair Airlines and not a universal Canadian standard.

Risk to Passengers: Unannounced policy changes create significant holiday travel confusion and financial risk.
Airline Responsibility: Carriers must ensure their booking systems align with their gate policies to uphold airline passenger rights.
Industry Standard: Major North American airlines, including Air Canada, generally permit pets and infants based on the adult-to-dependent ratio.

This incident underscores the importance of clear communication in commercial aviation news and operations. The couple is seeking further compensation from Flair Airlines beyond the flight reimbursement. Travelers should always verify specific pet and infant rules directly with the airline well in advance of their flight. For more flight operation news, visit aviation news.