Japan Airlines pet policy is strict and consistent across all routes: no pets in the cabin except trained service animals. Dogs, cats, and small birds travel as checked baggage (up to 32 kg / 70 lbs including carrier) or via JAL Cargo. All bookings require a phone call. There is no online pet reservation option as of March 2026.
Official policy pages: JAL International Pet Travel and JAL Domestic Pet Travel. Policies verified against JAL official sources in March 2026. Fees and restrictions change; verify with Japan Airlines before booking.
Quick Reference
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Cabin Pets | Not allowed (trained service animals only) |
| Cargo/Checked Weight Limit | 32 kg (70 lbs) pet + carrier combined |
| Crate Specs | IATA formula: Length = A + ½B; Width = 2×C; Height = D + bedding; rigid, ventilated, leak-proof |
| International Checked Baggage Fee | ~$400 USD one-way per kennel (verify with JAL before booking) |
| Cargo Fee | Contact JAL directly for current pricing |
| Booking Method | Phone only, minimum 72 hours before departure |
| US Booking Phone | +1-800-525-3663 |
| Breed Restrictions | 23 brachycephalic dog breeds banned from cargo year-round (see full list below) |
No Cabin Travel for Pets
Japan Airlines prohibits all pets in the cabin on every domestic and international route. This applies to dogs, cats, birds, and all other animals without exception. The only animals permitted in the cabin are trained service animals.
Some third-party travel sites claim cabin spots exist on domestic Japan routes. This is inaccurate. Official JAL policy confirms no cabin pet access on any route, domestic or international. Contact JAL directly at +1-800-525-3663 to confirm before booking.
Warning: Do not rely on third-party sites claiming JAL allows cabin pets on domestic Japan flights. Official policy prohibits it. Arriving at Tokyo Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) with a carrier expecting cabin boarding will result in denial.
Cargo and Checked Baggage: The Only Options
Pets travel in the hold as checked baggage or as manifest cargo through JAL Cargo. Both options are handled directly by Japan Airlines with no third-party partnerships required. Accepted species are dogs, cats, and small birds. Other species are unlikely to be accepted; contact JAL to confirm.
Checked baggage applies when the combined weight of pet and carrier does not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs). Anything above that threshold must travel as manifest cargo through the JAL Cargo division.
Key Takeaway: The checked baggage weight limit is 32 kg (70 lbs) total for pet and carrier combined. This applies on eligible routes. Confirm route eligibility by phone before booking.
IATA Crate Requirements
JAL Cargo requires IATA-compliant crates for all cargo shipments. The crate must be rigid, escape-proof, leak-proof, and ventilated on at least three sides. Absorbent bedding is required.
Dimensions follow the IATA Live Animals Regulations formula, where measurements are taken from your pet directly:
- Length: A (nose to tail base) + ½B (elbow height)
- Width: 2 × C (shoulder width)
- Height: D (top of head to floor) + bedding thickness
Measure your pet while standing naturally. If your pet’s breed is borderline on restrictions, use a crate 10% larger than the minimum calculated size. For full IATA crate standards, see the IATA Live Animals Regulations.
Measure your pet at least two weeks before travel. Build the crate to the IATA formula, then let your pet sleep in it for several nights before the flight. A stressed pet in an unfamiliar crate is a common cause of health complications during transport.
Temperature Restrictions
JAL applies seasonal and cold-weather restrictions to heat-sensitive pets in cargo:
- Summer embargo: Avoid shipments during daytime hours from May 1 to October 31 for heat-sensitive breeds and species.
- Cold weather: A veterinary acclimation certificate is required for shipments when temperatures fall below 7°C (45°F).
- Winter cold caution applies broadly; confirm current restrictions with JAL at the time of booking.
Warning: Summer daytime cargo shipments (May 1 to October 31) are restricted for heat-sensitive pets. Book early and confirm temperature policy with JAL Cargo at +1-800-525-3663 before finalizing travel dates.
Booking Process
Japan Airlines does not accept pet reservations online. All pet travel must be booked by phone. The JAL Contact Center handles both checked baggage and cargo reservations.
- Call JAL at least 72 hours before departure. US customers call +1-800-525-3663. Booking 7 or more days in advance is strongly recommended for cargo shipments, as space is limited and fills quickly during peak seasons.
- Provide full pet details: species, breed, weight, and crate dimensions. Have your pet’s measurements ready using the IATA formula before calling.
- Provide route information: departure city, destination, and travel dates. JAL will confirm space availability and provide a fee quote.
- Receive written confirmation of the reservation and the fee amount. Request this by email if possible.
- Prepare all required documents (see Documentation section below) and your IATA-compliant crate at least one week before departure.
- Arrive at the airport at least 120 minutes before departure. Check in at the cargo or oversized baggage desk, not the standard check-in counter.
- Present all documents, sign the Animal Transportation Declaration, and pay fees at check-in. The crate is tagged and loaded directly. Gate agents are not involved in pet handling.
Call the US line at 7am Eastern time. JAL’s contact center is Tokyo-based, so early US morning hours align with their active shift. Have your pet’s weight, breed, and crate measurements ready before dialing to avoid being placed on hold mid-call.
Fees
Japan Airlines fees for pet transport depend on route, pet weight, and crate size. The figures below reflect available research data as of March 2026. Always verify current fees with JAL before booking, as these are subject to change.
| Travel Type | Route Category | Fee | Currency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checked Baggage | International (pet + kennel) | ~$400 | USD | One-way per kennel; verify with JAL before booking |
| Cargo | All routes, by weight/size | Contact JAL | USD/Local | Tiered pricing; quote required at time of booking |
| Cabin | All routes | Not applicable | N/A | Pets not permitted in cabin |
Domestic Japan cargo fees are not published publicly. Contact JAL directly for a domestic route quote. Payment is made at the airport at check-in. Cargo handling fees are included in the cargo rate; freight forwarder costs, if used, are separate.
Key Takeaway: The only published fee in research data is approximately $400 USD one-way for international checked baggage. All other fees require a direct quote from JAL. Do not budget based on estimates alone.
Breed Restrictions
Japan Airlines bans the following 23 brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds from cargo transport year-round due to respiratory risks:
- Affenpinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull Terrier
- Bulldog (English Bulldog)
- Cane Corso
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- French Bulldog
- Japanese Chin
- King Charles Spaniel
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff
- Pekingese
- Perro de Presa Canario (Bordeaux Mastiff)
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Pug
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Mixed or similar breeds are assessed case-by-case
Because no pets are permitted in the cabin, these breed restrictions effectively mean brachycephalic dogs cannot travel on JAL at all, except in rare case-by-case cargo assessments. If a brachycephalic breed is marginally accepted, JAL requires a crate 10% larger than the IATA minimum.
No specific brachycephalic cat breeds are listed in JAL’s restrictions. Cats are generally subject to standard cargo requirements. Verify your specific cat breed with JAL before booking.
Warning: If your dog is on the brachycephalic breed list above, contact JAL Cargo directly at +1-800-525-3663 before making any travel plans. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is assessed case-by-case.
Service Animals
Trained assistance dogs are accepted in the cabin on Japan Airlines flights at no charge. JAL’s policy covers dogs trained for mobility assistance, guide work, hearing assistance, and psychiatric support (the psychiatric category applies primarily to US and Canada routes in compliance with DOT regulations).
Requirements for service animal travel:
- Provide at least 48 hours advance notice for US and Canada routes. Contact JAL by phone to arrange.
- Provide a training certification issued by a recognized, accredited assistance dog organization.
- The dog travels on the floor at the passenger’s feet. No seat or lap placement is permitted.
Japan Airlines complies with the US Department of Transportation Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) for flights to and from the United States. For DOT service animal regulations, see DOT Air Consumer Service Animal Information.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals (ESAs) receive no special accommodation on Japan Airlines. Following the US Department of Transportation’s 2021 rule change, ESAs are no longer recognized as service animals by most US carriers, and JAL follows this standard.
ESAs must travel as standard pets, which means cargo or checked baggage only. Japan does not recognize ESA status under its own regulations. There are no exceptions for any route. For more information about emotional support dog certification, consult our comprehensive guide.
Required Documentation
Documentation requirements vary by destination. The following applies broadly; always confirm destination-specific requirements with JAL and the relevant government authority before travel.
Standard documents required for all routes:
- Veterinary health certificate confirming the pet is fit to fly and free of communicable disease, issued within the timeframe required by the destination country (typically within 10 days of travel)
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Rabies antibody titer test results, if required by the destination country (Japan requires this for inbound pets from non-listed countries; the 180-day waiting period begins from the date of the blood draw, not the vaccination date)
- Export quarantine certificate from the country of origin
- JAL Animal Transportation Declaration (completed and signed at check-in, attached to the air waybill)
US-specific requirement: Dogs aged 6 months or older traveling to the United States require CDC documentation as of August 2024. Confirm current new cdc regulations for dogs before booking.
Inbound to Japan: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) enforces strict import quarantine rules. Pets from non-listed countries typically require a rabies antibody titer test drawn at least 180 days before arrival in Japan. Review current MAFF requirements at Japan MAFF Animal Quarantine Service well in advance of travel.
Microchip requirements are not confirmed in JAL’s published policy. Check destination country requirements directly, as many countries require ISO-standard microchipping.
If your destination requires a rabies titer test, have the blood drawn as early as possible in your pet’s vaccination series. Japan and many other countries start the 180-day quarantine clock from the date of the blood draw, not the date of vaccination. Missing this window can result in extended quarantine on arrival.
Check-In and Airport Process
There is no online check-in for pets. All pet check-in occurs at the airport.
Arrive at the cargo or oversized baggage desk at least 120 minutes before departure. Do not go to the standard passenger check-in counter for pet check-in.
Present all required documents, sign the Animal Transportation Declaration, and pay the applicable fee. The crate is tagged and loaded directly into the hold. Gate agents are not involved in pet handling or inspection after check-in.
Staff at JAL cargo desks are thorough on documentation. Any mismatch between your documents and the pet’s details will cause delays. Double-check all paperwork the night before travel.
Route-Specific Notes
Cabin travel: Not available on any route, domestic or international.
Cargo travel: Available on domestic Japan routes and international routes. Domestic fees are lower than international but are not published; contact JAL for a quote.
Inbound to Japan: Japan’s quarantine requirements are among the strictest in the world. Begin the process at least 6 months before your planned arrival date if traveling from a non-listed country. For comprehensive guidance on avoiding pet quarantine in hawaii, similar preparation principles apply to Japan.
Transit routes: Follow the strictest rules of all countries involved in the itinerary. Confirm transit requirements with JAL and each country’s animal import authority before booking.
Codeshare flights: JAL’s pet policy applies only to flights operated by Japan Airlines. If your itinerary includes a codeshare segment operated by another carrier, contact that carrier directly to confirm their pet policy applies to your booking.
Temperature embargoes: Summer daytime restrictions (May 1 to October 31) and cold-weather acclimation certificate requirements (below 7°C / 45°F) apply to cargo shipments. Confirm current seasonal restrictions with JAL at the time of booking.
Your Questions, Answered
Can I bring my pet in the cabin on Japan Airlines international flights?
No. Japan Airlines does not permit pets in the cabin on any route, domestic or international. All pets travel as checked baggage or cargo. The only exception is trained service animals, which are accepted in the cabin on all routes with advance documentation.
What is the weight limit for pets on Japan Airlines?
The checked baggage weight limit is 32 kg (70 lbs) combined for pet and carrier. Pets and carriers exceeding this limit must travel as manifest cargo through JAL Cargo. Cargo weight limits are tiered by route and aircraft; contact JAL directly for current cargo weight limits.
Are brachycephalic dog breeds allowed on JAL?
No. Japan Airlines bans 23 brachycephalic dog breeds from cargo year-round, including Pugs, french bulldogs flying on planes, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Chow Chows, Pekingese, Mastiffs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and 13 additional breeds listed in the breed restrictions section above. Because no pets are permitted in the cabin, these breeds effectively cannot travel on JAL except in rare case-by-case cargo assessments.
How much does Japan Airlines charge for pet transport?
International checked baggage fees are approximately $400 USD one-way per kennel, based on available research data as of March 2026. Cargo fees vary by route and weight and require a direct quote from JAL. Domestic Japan fees are not published; contact JAL at +1-800-525-3663 for current pricing. Always verify fees before booking.
Do I need to book my pet in advance?
Yes. Pet reservations must be made by phone at least 72 hours before departure. For cargo shipments, booking 7 or more days in advance is strongly recommended. Japan Airlines does not accept pet bookings through online channels. US customers call +1-800-525-3663.
Begin planning with a phone call to JAL at +1-800-525-3663 to confirm space, fees, and documentation requirements for your specific route. Prepare your IATA-compliant crate and begin the documentation process at least two weeks before departure. If your destination is Japan or requires a rabies titer test, start the process at least six months in advance. For comprehensive guidance on best dog crates for travel, review our detailed recommendations.
Policy information in this article was verified against official JAL sources and research conducted in March 2026. Japan Airlines updates its policies periodically and without advance notice. Fees, breed restrictions, and documentation requirements are subject to change. For comparison with other carriers, see our guides on all nippon airlines pet policy and korean air pet policy.
This article is for informational purposes only. Japan Airlines pet policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Japan Airlines before booking. For additional resources on traveling with pets, explore our comprehensive guides and tips.
