Varies by crate size and route
Airline dog policy
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Japan Airlines does not permit any pets in the passenger cabin on any flight — all animals travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold. JAL operates a well-organised pet handling system through its domestic and international network. The airline is essential for pet transport to and from Japan, one of the world's strictest countries for animal imports. JAL's domestic network within Japan is particularly valuable, as it allows pet owners to transport dogs between Japanese cities after completing the import process at a major international airport.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
JAL requires advance reservation for pet transport — contact the airline at least 48 hours before departure for domestic flights and at least 72 hours for international routes. The airline provides its own rental crates at the airport for domestic flights at no extra charge, which is a rare and welcome convenience. For international travel, you must provide your own IATA-compliant crate. JAL charges based on crate size rather than animal weight, with several size tiers available.
Why it can work
For anyone bringing a dog into Japan, JAL is the airline with the deepest knowledge of the stringent AQS (Animal Quarantine Service) requirements. The ground staff at Narita and Haneda are experienced with the complex import documentation. JAL's domestic network is extensive, covering major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. The airline provides detailed pet travel information in both Japanese and English on their website.
Restrictions
No cabin pets on any route. Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and similar) are banned from cargo transport between May and October due to heat and breathing risks. JAL reserves the right to refuse pet transport during extreme weather conditions. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old. Japan's import requirements (microchip, two rabies vaccinations, FAVN titer test, 180-day wait) apply regardless of the airline used.
Dog-owner notes
Japan's animal quarantine process is managed by AQS, not by JAL. However, JAL staff will verify that you have the necessary advance notification form (submitted 40 days before arrival) and accompanying documentation at check-in. For travel to/from Japan, the FAVN titer test must show ≥0.5 IU/ml and the 180-day waiting period must be observed. JAL's pet travel page is available at jal.co.jp/en/other/pet/. The airline's call centre for international pet enquiries is +81-3-5460-3784.
Final check before paying
Confirm the exact aircraft, route, dog breed, carrier size, temperature rules and destination import law directly with the airline. A country can allow dogs while a specific airline or aircraft refuses them.