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Flying with a pet to Japan: which airlines allow it in 2026

Last updated: May 2026 · 7 min read

Quick answer
No airline allows pets in the cabin to Japan. Every pet travels in the cargo hold or as manifest cargo, regardless of size. This applies to every international carrier, including those that allow cabin pets on other routes.

Before you book: check these in order

  1. 1Is your pet's breed on the airline's restricted list?
  2. 2Does the carrier fly pets to your specific Japanese airport?
  3. 3Is cargo space available on your flight date?
  4. 4Have you started the MAFF 180-day documentation process?

Not all carriers fly pets to Japan. Some ban entire breeds. Routes through certain transit hubs add restrictions on top of Japan's own rules.

Japanese carriers

JAL
Japan Airlines
No cabinHold: yes21 breed limits
Check-in cutoff 120 min. Soft carriers not permitted. French Bulldogs and Bulldogs refused in the hold entirely. JAL recommends seating owners at the rear of the aircraft.
ANA
All Nippon Airways
No cabinHold: yesMin age 4 months
Max crate 292 cm combined, max weight 45 kg. Cost approx $250–$400. Pet Hotel at Haneda Airport available for long stopovers.

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International carriers

LH/UA/DL
Lufthansa, United, Delta
No cabinHold: yesOnline booking
All three accept pets in the hold on Japan routes. MAFF documentation required. IATA crate standards apply in each case.
BA
British Airways
No cabinCargo agent only
No checked baggage on any route. All pets travel via IAG Cargo, booked separately from your own ticket through their agent.

Booking sequence

1
Confirm pet space

Airlines cap the number of animals per flight. Check before buying your own ticket.

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2
Book simultaneously

Reserve your ticket and your pet's cargo space at the same time where possible.

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3
Prepare IATA crate

Rigid construction, secure latches, ventilation on all sides, watertight base.

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4
Submit documentation

Health certificate, MAFF pre-arrival notice, consent form (JAL). Each has its own deadline.

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Complex route or cargo-only carrier?

A licensed pet transport agent handles crate sizing, document prep, and cargo coordination. They catch errors before the airport does.

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Frequently asked questions

Can any airline carry my pet in the cabin to Japan?

No. Japan's quarantine process requires cargo arrivals. No commercial airline allows non-service pets in the cabin on Japan routes.

Can I book a pet space online?

It depends on the airline. JAL allows reservations online for some routes. ANA requires contact with their reservations team. For cargo-only options like British Airways, all bookings go through the cargo department or a licensed agent.

What if my breed is restricted?

Check before booking. JAL refuses French Bulldogs and Bulldogs entirely. Restricted breeds may need a dedicated cargo service rather than a passenger airline.

Does the airline handle Japanese quarantine paperwork?

No. The airline transports your pet. MAFF compliance (microchip, rabies vaccination sequence, titer test, pre-arrival notification) is entirely your responsibility. Airlines check documents at check-in but are not liable for errors.

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