Traveling with pets
This page provides information about our pet travel service.
If you are planning to transport your pet by air, it will be transported as cargo. Please read information provided by JAL Cargo.
Japan Airlines follows the advice of veterinarians and other experts to ensure pets have a safe trip.
However, as conditions differ from their everyday environment, their health may be affected in various ways.
Please read "Traveling with Pets" before checking in your pet.
Please read before checking in your pet
We recommend consulting with your veterinarian before you consider traveling with your pet if any of the following conditions apply.
- Your pet has a respiratory condition.
- Your pet is not able to regulate its body temperature well.
- Your pet has lost its appetite or has diarrhea on previous flights.
- Your pet has a condition that is physiologically ill-suited for air travel.
- Your pet has a tendancy to become stressed when in dark places.
- Because French Bulldogs and Bulldogs are more susceptible to the changing environment during air travel than other breeds, Japan Airlines does not allow them on any flights.
Pet cargo area environment on aircraft
Temperature and humidity is controlled inside the bulk cargo room by air-conditioning. However, the outside air and heat make cause temperatures to be higher than normal.
Pets are kept in shaded, air-conditioned areas until the flights depart. However, temperature and humidity may change depending on the season during transport, loading and unloading.
Precautions in summer and winter
Summer (May 1 through Oct 31)
As it is hot and humid, it is advised to avoid traveling with your pet during the daytime, as outside temperatures may affect your pet.
Please take particular note to transport dates and times with respect to puppies, elderly dogs and brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds that are sensitive to heat.
As outside temperatures can be cold and severe in winter, please exercise caution if your pet is sensitive to cold.
During a flight, all lighting inside the bulk cargo room is turned off. The air pressure in this area is set to 0.8 bar (roughly the pressure felt at the peak of a 2000m mountain). The pressure change may cause "airplane ear" or other reactions in your pet when ascending and descending.
The bulk cargo room is air-conditioned so that temperature and humidity is the same as inside the passenger cabin.
Your pet will hear noises not heard on the ground such as wind noise and mechanical noise during takeoff, flight and landing.
Your pet will also hear noises of other aircraft and ground vehicles during loading and unloading.
- You may place your pet's water dispenser, which must be watertight and durable, inside the crate. Our agent will not provide food or water to your pet after check-in. Please make sure your pet has had sufficient food and water before check-in.
- If your itinerary is longer than 12 hours from the point of departure to the arrival, please make sure to put a water dispenser.
- If you accidently forgot to prepare your own water dispenser, please ask the airport staff.
- In a transportation environment that is significantly different from everyday life, it may affect pets' health in a number of ways.
- There is a possibility that cargo space is not available and you will be asked to take a different flight.
- To ease you pet's stress level, you may place a towel or other familiar items inside the crate. (We reserve the right to refuse certain items if felt they may pose a health threat to your pet).
- Please arrive a minimum of 120 minutes prior to the departure time of your flight to allow your pet to adjust to the local temperature. Sudden changes in temperature may affect your pet.
- In the event of an emergency at the japan domestic airport, we do work closely with local veterinarians and pet hotels to assist you. (please understand that not all airports have these services).
- Facilities may not be able to accommodate your pet for reasons related to business hours or accommodation requirements. (e.g. proof of vaccination).
Reservation
Advanced reservation is required to ensure that space is available in the aircraft cargo compartment.
Please contact us (JAL International Information and Reservation) for more information about these conditions.
- Each aircraft can only accommodate a limited number of crates. The acceptable size and number of crates vary by aircraft type.
- When making a pet reservation, we will ask you about the below.
- Size of the crate (length/width/height)
- The total weight of the pet and crate
- Type and age of the pet
We will process this information and notify you at a later date whether your pet can be accommodated. Please note that it may take several days to receive this notification.
Animals allowed for transport
Dogs, cats, small birds (that eat seeds, fruit and insects), rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, marmots, squirrels, chinchillas.
- We accept the following live animals (domestic pets).
- French Bulldogs and Bulldogs are not accepted.
- Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age to travel.
- For passengers traveling to the United States with dogs, please note that there are additional entry requirements.
Please check the following link "Documents required for pet transportation" for details.
- Pregnant pets will not be accepted.
- Pets must be in good health, should not cause harm to other animals or baggage, and should not have an offensive odor.
Please contact us (JAL International Information and Reservation) for more information about these conditions.
Documents required for pet transportaion
- Obtain the necessary documents according to the quarantine regulations of the exporting and importing countries. The passenger shall be solely responsible for confirming and preparing all import and export documentation. Please check with the quarantine office, the appropriate embassy, consulate, etc, and take the necessary procedures.
- You will be requested to sign our documents at the departure airport.
- For passenger travelling to the United States with dogs
Please be sure to check the latest information from the following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website before you travel. For inquiry, please contact the authorities concerned (U.S. CDC).
When checking your pet in, need to prepare own crates in accordance with IATA standards.
- Crates must be large enough for the animal to stand up, lie down and turn around.
- Crates must be constructed of durable plastic, fiberglass, wood or material of similar strength materials, and be leak-proof.
(Soft crates, folding crates, and crates such as birdcage which are made entirely of welded mesh or wire mesh except the bottom surface are not suitable for air transport.)
- Crates must have proper ventilation.
- Crates must be lockable and escape proof.
- The locking pin of the door must protrude at least 1.6 mm from the extrusion opening when inserted.
- Container fasteners (nuts and bolts) must be securely fastened.
- If wheels are equipped, they can be removed or secured.
- Rabbits, hamsters, and other animals known for their strong teeth are kept in special rodent crates which inside covered with wire mesh entirely. Please prepare the crate which could be stored in the crates for rodents.
- All rental crates are disinfected in advance to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
- Basically, only one pet can be carried in a crate.
Please contact us (JAL International Information and Reservation) for more information about these conditions.
[Example of a crate meeting IATA standards]
L size
Open
| Size (W x H x D cm) |
45×45×41 |
|---|
| Crate weight |
11.5kg |
|---|
| Reservation Deadline |
Up to 4 days prior to departure date |
|---|
M size
Open
| Size (W x H x D cm) |
32×32×39 |
|---|
| Crate weight |
7.4kg |
|---|
| Reservation Deadline |
Up to 4 days prior to departure date |
|---|
How to transport your pet
STEP 1
Review before checking your pet
Please review transport environment information and notes on animal transport to ensure an enjoyable flight with your pet.
Rules regarding the import and export of pets vary by country and region.
Prior to travel, be sure to contact the quarantine office, embassy, consulate, etc., of your departure and arrival countries to determine the required documentation for import and export of your pet. This may include an export quarantine certificate, import/export permit, health certificate, and import certificate.
Please note that Japan Airlines cannot be held responsible for problems arising from incomplete customs paperwork.
For countries requiring an export quarantine examination, please complete the examination prior to going to the check-in counter.
- In cases where an export examination is required at an airport in Japan, please confirm the quarantine office's hours of operation in advance.
STEP 2
Prepare a letter of consent
Please prepare a letter stating your consent to check your pet as baggage.
You may download it from the following link.
Please bring the completed waiver with you to the check-in counter on the day of departure.
About PDF
Open
In order to view PDF documents, you will need to install Adobe Reader on your computer.
From the departure/check-in date to pick-up
STEP 3
Check your pet in up to 120 minutes in advance
Pets can be checked in at the same check-in counter as their owners.
Please present your pet's required customs paperwork to the check-in agent just as you would present your own ticket and passport. You will be asked to sign the necessary forms.
The check-in agent will provide you with information on the applicable charges.
Please arrive at least 120 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.
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 4
Pick-up at the arrival airport
Our agent will carry your pet from the cargo compartment to the arrival lobby and deliver your pet directly to you in the baggage claim area.
Proceed to the quarantine station at your arrival airport to complete your pet's immigration procedures.
To passengers traveling on codeshare flights
If you are flying on a codeshare flight, requirements may vary depending on the operating carrier's rules.
Please contact us (JAL International Reservation and Information) or your travel agent for more details.
