Japan Airlines does not accept dogs in the cabin, which is exactly the sort of detail I wish airlines printed in bold. Dogs travel in cargo or the hold instead, so Luna's carry-on strategy would not translate here. I compared this policy line by line, and the split between cabin and cargo is the first thing worth pinning down before anyone books a single leg.

Japan Airlines's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How Japan Airlines handles your pet

Key points

  • Pets travel in the aircraft bulk cargo hold as checked baggage (same flight as owner) or unaccompanied via JAL Cargo
  • Pets are not accepted in the passenger cabin
  • Japan-domestic fees are JPY 5,500–7,700 per crate per flight sector (route-dependent); JAL flights to/from the Americas charge USD/CAD 400 per container
  • Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are not accepted on any flight; a further 23 snub-nosed dog breeds are not accepted for international cargo
  • The combined weight of pet plus crate must not exceed 32 kg to travel as passenger baggage; above that it must ship as cargo

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Not accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-03

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yesverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldogFrench Bulldogverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Max pets per passenger1verified 2026-10-03
Hold: Max pets per carrier1verified 2026-10-03
Hold: Pregnant animals accepted Noverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)32 kgverified 2026-10-03
Hold: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrierverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-23
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yesverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list
  • Affenpinscher
  • King Charles Spaniel
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Chin
  • Bulldog
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Boxer
  • Mastiff
  • Cane Corso
  • Shih Tzu
  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • Pug
  • French Bulldog
  • Pekingese
  • Boston Terrier
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Shar Pei
  • Chow Chow
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bull Terrier
  • Perro de Presa Canario
  • Bordeaux Mastiff
verified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Banned breeds list
  • Affenpinscher
  • King Charles Spaniel
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Chin
  • Bulldog
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Boxer
  • Mastiff
  • Cane Corso
  • Shih Tzu
  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • Pug
  • French Bulldog
  • Pekingese
  • Boston Terrier
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Shar Pei
  • Chow Chow
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bull Terrier
  • Perro de Presa Canario
  • Bordeaux Mastiff
verified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted Noverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrierverified 2026-10-03
Japan Airlines will not transport dogs or cats under eight weeks, counted as 56 days from birth. Confirm the puppy passes the 56-day mark before the travel date, not before booking. Ask the vet to note the exact date of birth on paperwork. A dog just under the threshold on departure day gets refused at check-in.
Japan Airlines restricts brachycephalic, snub-nosed dog breeds because they tolerate high temperatures poorly. Check whether the breed appears on the snub-nosed list before committing to cargo. Confirm current restriction status directly with the airline, since seasonal temperature rules can tighten it. Arrange an alternative route or transport method for any breed that falls under this restriction.
One policy line rarely tells the whole story, which is why I always cross-check against the exact route and dates. Luna disapproves of taxiing, but she approves of preparation, and so do I. Build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder for your specific trip, and you will get the cabin, cargo, and paperwork requirements laid out for your dog and your itinerary.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Japan Airlines →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.