Traveling with pets
Learn about how we take care of your pet family members traveling with us.
- *Pets will travel as cargo on our domestic flights and be handled by our subsidary company, JAL Cargo.
JAL Cargo's guide of shipping animals (in Japanese only)
To ensure your pet's travel safety
Japan Airlines follows the advice of veterinarians and other experts to ensure pets have a safe trip. However, new environments can affect pets' health in a number of ways. Please review the following before your pet travels with us.
To passengers carrying pets as checked baggage
Japan Airlines works closely with nearby veterinarians and pet hotels to ensure necessary information is available to passengers that experience a pet emergency at the airport. (not applicable for certain airports)
- *Facilities may not be able to accommodate your pet for reasons related to veterinarian consultation hours, hotel business hours, or accommodation requirements (e.g. the need to show proof of vaccination, etc.).
About pet travel
Conditions
Animals allowed for transport
Dogs, cats, small birds, rabbits, hamsters, and other small animals
- *French Bulldogs and Bulldogs are not permitted for transport by Japan Airlines aircraft.
- *Passengers may carry on pets such as goldfish, turtles, and insects as long as conditions to ensure other passengers are not disturbed are satisfied.
Please contact us (JAL Domestic Information and Reservation) for more information about these conditions.
JAL Domestic Reservation and Information
Fees
¥3,000 - ¥6,000 per pet crate per flight sector
- *Please read the following as rates differ depending on the route.
- *As a general rule, pets are limited to one pet per pet crate for dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters, and generally two per type per pet crate for small birds.
Weight limits
The weight of all pets and checked baggage is limited to a total of 100kg per passenger.
- Pet + crate
Up to 32kg *1 - Baggage to be checked
Free up to 20kg *2 - Pet + crate + baggage to be checked
Up to 100kg total *3
- *1Your pet will travel in the cargo compartment if the combined weight of the pet and crate is 32kg or above.
- *2Excess baggage charges will apply for baggage in excess of 20kg.
- *3The weight limit is 45kg for flights operated by JAC/HAC and RAC.
-
Notes when checking your pets
HideFrench Bulldogs and Bulldogs cannot be checked. These breeds are no longer accepted on any flight due to their relative susceptibility to suffering health issues as a result of the aircraft cargo environment.
- You may place your pet's water bottle inside the crate, granted that it is not prone to leaking or being damaged. Our staff members will not provide your pet with food or water after your pet is checked. Please make sure your pet has had sufficient food and water before he is checked.
- *However, for itineraries that include transfers and long layovers, you can provide pets with food and drink. Please be sure to inform a staff member when checking your pet at the departure airport.
- Restrictions for transporting animals as cargo are subject to the types of aircraft. Please contact our cargo office at your departure airport for more information in advance.
- As cargo compartments have limited space, in the event that thaere is no adequate space or time for loading pets, we may ask you to take another flight.
JAL Cargo office at domestic airports (in Japanese only)
- You may place your pet's water bottle inside the crate, granted that it is not prone to leaking or being damaged. Our staff members will not provide your pet with food or water after your pet is checked. Please make sure your pet has had sufficient food and water before he is checked.
Pet crate rental
You can either prepare your own crate or rent a crate from us when checking in your pet.
If your pet crate is deemed unsatisfactory for safe transport or if no rental crate is available, We may change the flight for the passenger and pet.
All rental crates are disinfected in advance to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
<Dogs and cats>
| Size (W x H x D cm) |
Examples of acceptable pets | Crate weight | Reservation | Pet Charge Advance Pay Service |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S size | 43×40×54 | Small dogs and cats such as chihuahuas and maltese | 3kg | Not required | Available |
| M size | 51×48×69 | Medium-sized dogs such as beagles and corgis | 5kg | ||
| L size | 55×60×81 | Large dogs such as boxers and whippets | 7kg | Required* | Not available |
| XL size | 63×67×90 | Large dogs such as shepherds and retrievers | 10kg |
- *As cargo compartments can only accommodate a limited number of L and XL sized pet crates, please contact us (JAL Domestic Information and Reservation) before your flight to make a reservation.
JAL Domestic Reservation and Information
<Crates for rodents>
| Size (W x H x D cm) |
Examples of acceptable pets | Crate weight | Reservation | Pet Charge Advance Pay Service |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S size | 25×25×35 | Hamsters, rabbits | 4.6kg | Not required | Available |
| M size | 32×32×39 | Ferrets, large rabbits | 7.4kg |
How to transport your pet
- Before departure
-
- STEP 1
-
Review before check-in
- STEP 2
-
Prepare letter of consent
- From the departure/check-in date to pick-up
-
- STEP 3
-
Up to 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
Pet check-in
- STEP 4
-
Pick-up at the arrival airport
STEP 1Review before checking your pet
Please review transport environment information and notes on animal transport to ensure an enjoyable flight with your pet.
STEP 2Prepare a letter of consent
Please prepare a letter stating your consent to check your pet as baggage.
- *Although letter templates are available at airport counters, we recommend filling them out beforehand as you may be asked to wait during busy periods.
Download letter of consent format
In order to view PDF documents, you will need to install Adobe Reader on your computer.
STEP 3
Check your pet in up to 40 minutes prior.
Contact our staff for the Traveling with Pets service at the baggage check-in counter. As you will need to complete payment and have your letter of consent reviewed, please arrive at least 40 minutes prior to departure.
To the extent possible, checked-in pets will be kept in indoor air-conditioned rooms.
Before boarding the plane
-
As there is no air conditioning in the carry-on baggage storage area inside airports, pets will be transported with care to the aircraft soon after being checked in, with check-in available until just before the flight leaves.
Inside the aircraft
-
-
Checked pets will be held in the bulk cargo room.
- *Although bulk cargo rooms are temperature and humidity controlled by air conditioners, the environment in these spaces may differ from that in passenger cabins due to atmospheric temperatures and other factors.
STEP 4Pick-up at the arrival airport
The airport staff will carefully carry your pets to the arrival lobby and deliver to you at the baggage claim area.
Earn points every time you travel with your pets.
Earn miles every time you travel with your pet. As a member, you can also earn and redeem miles when using pet hotels or other partner services. Our program aims to support the travel needs of pet owners and their pets.
* Dogs, cats, small birds, rabbits, and other small animals are eligible for membership.
Become a JAL Pet Club member and earn points every time you travel with your pets.
