Flying with Your Pet on ANA Wings: What You Need to Know

I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I've learned that understanding your airline's pet policy before you book is the difference between a smooth journey and a stressful scramble at the airport. ANA Wings has specific rules for pet travel, and I'm going to walk you through exactly what they are—and what you need to do to prepare.

The good news: ANA Wings does accept pets. The important part: they have clear requirements, and you need to follow them precisely. Let me break this down by travel option so you can figure out what works best for your furry friend.

Cabin Travel: Can Your Pet Fly with You?

Here's what I need to tell you straight: ANA Wings does not allow pets in the cabin. This is a firm policy. Your cat, dog, or other pet cannot travel in the passenger cabin with you, even if they're small enough to fit under the seat.

I know this is disappointing if you were hoping to keep your pet nearby during the flight. When I flew Cooper internationally, I had to choose between cargo and checked baggage options, and honestly, understanding those alternatives made the decision easier.

Checked Baggage: The Most Common Option

ANA Wings does accept pets in checked baggage. This is the option most pet owners use, and it's what I chose for Cooper on two of my three moves.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

Your pet's carrier is critical. Here are the exact requirements:

  • Hard-sided crate only — soft carriers are not accepted for checked baggage
  • Ventilation on at least three sides — your pet needs to breathe properly during the flight
  • Attached water bowl — this must be accessible from outside the crate so ground staff can refill it
  • Absorbent liner inside — accidents happen during travel; this protects the crate and your pet's comfort
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows — these are required by IATA regulations and tell handlers how to position the crate

When I shipped Cooper's crate, I made sure the water bowl was securely attached and tested it beforehand. The absorbent mat was a game-changer—it kept Cooper comfortable and made cleanup easier at the destination.

Temperature Restrictions for Checked Baggage

This is crucial: ANA Wings will not accept your pet if temperatures exceed certain thresholds.

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — if it's hotter than this at the origin or destination airport, your pet cannot travel
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — if it's colder than this, travel is typically refused unless your vet provides an acclimation certificate

I learned this the hard way when I tried to book a summer flight during a heat wave. The airline rejected the booking. I rescheduled for an early morning departure when temperatures were cooler. Always check the forecast and plan accordingly.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling in checked baggage. Younger animals are too vulnerable to the stress of air travel.

Cargo: An Alternative for Larger Pets

ANA Wings does accept pets via cargo, though this is less common than checked baggage. Cargo is typically used for larger animals or when you need more flexibility with timing.

Cargo Carrier Specifications

Cargo carriers are more heavily regulated than checked baggage carriers:

  • Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate only — this is non-negotiable for cargo
  • Ventilation on at least three sides — IATA Live Animals Regulations are strict about this
  • Attached water bowl — same as checked baggage
  • Absorbent liner — required
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows — mandatory

Cargo carriers are more expensive than checked baggage options, but they offer dedicated handling and sometimes faster processing. When I considered cargo for Cooper, the cost was roughly 2-3 times higher than checked baggage, but the peace of mind was worth exploring.

Temperature and Age Restrictions

Cargo has the same temperature restrictions as checked baggage:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — acclimation certificates may allow travel in colder conditions
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks, fully weaned

Breed Restrictions: Know If Your Pet Can Travel

This is critical: ANA Wings restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in both cabin and cargo/checked baggage due to respiratory risks during flight.

Restricted breeds include:

  • Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
  • Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

If your pet is on this list, contact ANA Wings directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions with veterinary clearance, but don't assume—verify first. I've seen too many people book flights only to be denied at check-in.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate. This is required by virtually all airlines, and ANA Wings will check it at the airport. Here's what you need to know:

  • Issued within 10 days of departure — some destinations require 7 days, so aim for as close to departure as possible
  • Signed by a licensed veterinarian — it must confirm your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Get it early — don't wait until the day before your flight

When I prepared Cooper's documents for my first international move, I scheduled the vet appointment 2 weeks before departure. This gave me a buffer in case the vet found any health issues that needed addressing. It also meant I had the certificate well within the required window.

Important: No Sedation Allowed

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including ANA Wings.

If your vet suggests sedation, ask specifically about IATA regulations. There are no exceptions unless explicitly approved by both your vet and the airline in writing—and that's extremely rare.

Pre-Booking Requirements

You must pre-book your pet before traveling. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential.

Contact ANA Wings directly to arrange pet travel. We're still verifying the specific booking method and advance notice requirements—contact the airline directly for current procedures.

Pregnant or Animals in Heat

ANA Wings does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking. Similarly, animals in heat may have restrictions—verify this when you contact the airline.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets allowed: No
  • Checked baggage pets allowed: Yes
  • Cargo pets allowed: Yes
  • Minimum age (checked baggage/cargo): 10 weeks, fully weaned
  • Minimum age (cabin, if allowed): 8 weeks, fully weaned
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue
  • Cabin carrier max dimensions: 45.7cm L × 27.9cm W × 27.9cm H (must fit under seat)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier type: Soft-sided only
  • Checked baggage/cargo carrier type: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant
  • Cabin fee: No cabin pets allowed

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Travel Checklist

  • 6-8 weeks before departure: Check if your breed is restricted. Contact ANA Wings to confirm pet travel is available on your specific route and date.
  • 4 weeks before: Purchase or confirm you have the correct carrier (hard-sided for checked baggage/cargo, with water bowl, ventilation, and absorbent liner).
  • 2 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for the health certificate. Discuss any travel concerns with your vet.
  • 10 days before: Obtain the signed health certificate from your vet.
  • 1 week before: Confirm your pet's booking with ANA Wings. Double-check all documentation is complete.
  • Day before: Pack your pet's essentials (food, water, medications, comfort items). Ensure the carrier is properly labeled with "Live Animals" stickers and orientation arrows.
  • Day of travel: Arrive early. Inform check-in staff immediately that you're traveling with a pet. Have all documents ready.

Final Thoughts

Flying with a pet requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. I've done it three times with Cooper, and each move got smoother because I understood the rules beforehand. The key is starting early, getting your health certificate in time, choosing the right carrier, and confirming everything with ANA Wings directly.

Temperature restrictions and breed bans are real—don't ignore them. And remember: no sedation, ever. Your pet will be stressed, but they'll be safe if you follow the rules.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to make sure you haven't missed anything specific to your destination.

Data auto-verified from official ANA Wings sources. Last updated: January 2025. For the most current policy details, contact ANA Wings directly before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026