Japanese airline to allow pets on all domestic flights from January

So, what if the pets need to… you know…?

What happens if the dogs are barking ?

Sign of the times I guess. I swear I see more people and couples in my local park with dogs rather than kids nowadays. And some with two or three pooches.

Pets are important to many people in Japan that cannot leave them in the hands of strangers - a positive move by the airlines!

The wideshows are going to have a ball with this one. Don't expect it to age well.

Can’t wait for a pet snake that gets out of its cage.

Interesting, not a bad move but I doubt many will use this as 50,000 yen on top of say their own ticket + expensive accommodations for pet friendly hotels isn't worth it. Those who are flying back to their jikka in say Hokkaido for the holidays will be happy to use this service though!

Excellent news...

Good for the pets, good for the owners..

This airline thinks it will increase customers who want to travel with their pets, but at the same time they will lose customers who don't mind pets but would rather not travel with other people's pets in the same cabin.

Pets are better behaved than some people on budget airlines.

Jetstar Aust. to Bali comes to mind.

So what happens if the person is allergic to dogs or cats? What happens if there loud?

Tickets for pets cost 50,000 yen ($350) per animal

No thanks! I'll drive. My pet is a rabbit.

TokyoLiving

Today 08:31 am JST

Excellent news...

> Good for the pets, good for the owners.

Bad news for people with dog and cat allergies, stuck in a closed environment with these animals!

Anyone that doesn't understand this never had an allergy problem!

Imagine having the seat next to these people and being allergic or as someone asked what if the animal urinates or defecates during the flight and you are next to them?

SDCA

Today 08:30 am JST

Interesting, not a bad move but I doubt many will use this as 50,000 yen on top of say their own ticket + expensive accommodations for pet friendly hotels isn't worth it. Those who are flying back to their jikka in say Hokkaido for the holidays will be happy to use this service though!

Plenty will because people today have lost commonsense.

Weekly pet grooming, gourmet food, etc..look at how many per salons there are and they are not cheap.

Good there is the option for those that need to travel. I however will no longer consider this airline for any travel.

What could go wrong.....

I rarely fly domestic flights with the railway system being far more convenient for my long distance travel needs. Should I need to fly, I shall be avoiding this airline. Children on a plane are bad enough, but dealing with yappy mutts as well? No thanks!

Despite the outrageous price (I could get the same route for a human for less than ¥10.000) I think its a good move, at least if they can isolate this last row to avoid disturbing others with the barking, allergies, etc.

This airline will be connecting Fukuoka to Osaka and Tokyo, good opportunity for the owners to visit these 2 capitals or connecting to international flights, I've worked as a real estate agent in the past and I know how limited people's lives can be when they have pets in the house and no one else to take care of them, from hotels to apartments the options are extremely limited.

Wished they could cut down to ¥30.000/pet though.. guess they're asking 50k as a cleaning fee?

The inclusion of pets in aircraft cabins with passengers presents both benefits and drawbacks. While it enhances emotional support, reduces stress, and contributes to the well-being of pet owners, concerns such as allergies, noise, space constraints, and safety issues must be carefully considered. Striking a balance between accommodating pet owners' needs and ensuring the comfort and safety of all passengers requires clear regulations, thoughtful policies, and the cooperation of both airlines and pet owners.

Yeah, hope it backfires and they lose a boat load of money.

They're basically prioritizing pets and pet owners over everyone else. No thanks.

Tickets for pets cost 50,000 yen

Absolutely outrageous. The pet carrier/crate should be subject to no more than the standard extra luggage item fee. No thanks. We'll just continue to drive, when vacationing with our dogs. (Our Golden is no doubt to large for their rules, anyway.)

@Antiquesaving

You got a point

What about passengers who are allergic to cats/dogs?

owners will be assigned seating next to their pet's crate in the last row of the aircraft

Half the people commenting here missed this part lol

I'd definitely like the idea if this last row was completely isolated from the rest of the passengers, even if its just a vinyl sheet as the ones used in taxis just a few months ago.

I personally find it weird young couples rolling their dogs like babies in the mall but who am I to say no to these people's happiness when it doesnt even affect my life? Sounds as sad as those anti-gay marriage crowd, go figure.

I’m allergic to pets.

I thought dogs and cats would be running and flying around but only two animals per flight. Very disappointing.

Finally….very nice of JAL

What about passengers who are allergic to cats/dogs?

We'll just have to die, I guess.

OMG. Are they that desperate? Which airline please?

How is this even remotely placing safety first? When there is an emergency and the aircraft needs to be evacuated, passengers are required to leave carry-on items behind. What happens when a passenger refuses to leave their animal behind and would rather die or cause others to perish to save their pet?

How are they going to go down the slide with their animal carry case in their arms without causing significant harm to themselves upon reaching the bottom? Who's liable when they crash into the person standing at the bottom of the slide helping other get off and to their feet?

This is a bad idea. I can't see how the regulators approved this.

Come on JCAB, surely they have to get a safety certificate for this and prove that this is safe for humans (and animals I guess).

Finally….very nice of JAL

Actually they are aligned with ANA. Code sharing and computer systems.

finally rich

Today 10:53 am JST

owners will be assigned seating next to their pet's crate in the last row of the aircraft

> Half the people commenting here missed this part lol

And all those saying great idea missed the reality an airplane is a closed environment! Meaning the allergens caused by these animals will not remain on those 2 seats!

It is like when smoking was permitted on flights, the smoke did not remain at the smoker's seat!

If no other airline in the world has not done it, maybe it is because of safety rules ?

Being a huge potebtial allergen to all nearby passengers alone makes it a passenger heavy risk.

Making it way more expensive than a passenger seat shows it is a money grab.

I love animals, please find a correct and price acceptable way for mass transit of pets. It could be specific compartments by type of animals on e per week.

Some people spend more on their dog than their kids or significant other. If they offered a first class pet option, there might be more pets than people. But I can understand it.

Lock your significant other and your dog in rooms for a while and see which one is happy to see when you unlock the doors.

All you naysayers are obviously not aware that airlines in the US have been allowing pets onboard for years, without any problems. And, if they are service animals, they don't even need to be confined in carriers.

They don't charge any fees, either, if the carrier can fit underneath the seat in front of you. If not, you have to pay for the seat next to you. But, just the normal ticket price.

All you naysayers are obviously not aware that airlines in the US have been allowing pets onboard for years, without any problems. And, if they are service animals, they don't even need to be confined in carriers.

I doubt all the naysayers are unaware. We just don't want it to become a thing in Japan. US airports are absolute zoos - AND they have animals there too!

Will pets eventually need a carbon passport too in order to ration their numbers of flights per year?

I have mild cat allergies and have been on flights seated near caged dogs and cats but fortunately my allergies were not triggered. I actually find heavy perfume much more of a trigger and almost had an asthma attack on a long flight. It was a man with extremely strong smelling soap and cologne sitting behind me. I do not support putting animals in the cargo area as it is likely traumatic for them.

garypen

Today 01:35 pm JST

All you naysayers are obviously not aware that airlines in the US have been allowing pets onboard for years, without any problems. And, if they are service animals, they don't even need to be confined in carriers.

> They don't charge any fees, either, if the carrier can fit underneath the seat in front of you. If not, you have to pay for the seat next to you. But, just the normal ticket price

You should check your info again!

Things changed!

You are confusing "support" animals with pets!

And because people abused the kindness of the airlines the policy has be removed.

Now airlines are only required to let certified service animals and only accept very specific government recognised certifications.

I think the lady with the support peacock was the last straw.

How is this even remotely placing safety first? When there is an emergency and the aircraft needs to be evacuated, passengers are required to leave carry-on items behind. What happens when a passenger refuses to leave their animal behind and would rather die or cause others to perish to save their pet? How are they going to go down the slide with their animal carry case in their arms without causing significant harm to themselves upon reaching the bottom? Who's liable when they crash into the person standing at the bottom of the slide helping other get off and to their feet? This is a bad idea. I can't see how the regulators approved this. Come on JCAB, surely they have to get a safety certificate for this and prove that this is safe for humans (and animals I guess).

I really would like to know too!

One airline I definitely won't be taking. Haciko barking on your left and baby Taro crying on your right.

Antiquesaving

You should check your info again!

Things changed!

Nope. I was correct as to the current situation on many US carriers.

You are confusing "support" animals with pets!

I'm not confusing anything. I think you may be confused as to the current rules.

And because people abused the kindness of the airlines the policy has be removed.

Nope. The rules have merely been made more stringent. No more "comfort" animals. But, there are still many categories of service dogs that are allowed to fly in-cabin.

Now airlines are only required to let certified service animals and only accept very specific government recognised certifications.

Incorrect. On most US airlines, you can bring pets in carriers, which is exactly what this article is referring to.

As long as they clean up the dog doo doo in the aisle I have no complaints. In a terrorist attempt could let the dogs out so to speak.

As long as they clean up the dog doo doo in the aisle I have no complaints. In a terrorist attempt could let the dogs out so to speak.

Dog doo doo in the aisle would smell before it was cleaned up.

Any dog that would be useful in a terrorist attempt would be awkward in the cabin. German Shepherds aren't exactly lap dogs.

It's one of the best decision of this year by Japan, Great move by Great country!

We covered animals land. Now its time they should have same facility as we do.

Happy to have fun in the plane with my 3 labs and 2 beagle boys.

Happy to have fun in the plane with my 3 labs and 2 beagle boys

Won't be happening. Max 1 per person and 2 per flight. Zannen!