The science here is simpler than it sounds, and StarFlyer keeps it refreshingly clear: dogs ride in the cabin. Pixel would approve of a carrier at your feet rather than a distant hold. Before you book, know that the cabin option comes with a firm weight ceiling and a fixed fee, so the paperwork and the packing both start with those two numbers.
StarFlyer'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 StarFlyer handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“The Company will undertake the transport of pets accompanying passengers as checked baggage and carry on baggage under certain conditions. Pets, as used here, refers to tame small dogs, cats and birds.”
One-way fee6600 JPY“Dog breeds Bulldog, French bulldog, boxer, Shih Tzu, terriers (Boston terrier, bulldog terrier) spaniels (Kings Charles spaniel, Tibetan spaniel), Brussels Griffon, chow chow, pug, Japanese spaniel, Pekingese (13…”
Advance booking required Yes“pets are accepted for transport in the cabin only if advance notice has been given and Company approval received.”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“The Company will undertake the transport of pets accompanying passengers as checked baggage and carry on baggage under certain conditions. Pets, as used here, refers to tame small dogs, cats and birds.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, French bulldog, boxer, Shih Tzu, Boston terrier, bulldog terrier, Kings Charles spaniel, Tibetan spaniel, Brussels Griffon, chow chow, pug, Japanese spaniel, Pekingese“Dog breeds Bulldog, French bulldog, boxer, Shih Tzu, terriers (Boston terrier, bulldog terrier) spaniels (Kings Charles spaniel, Tibetan spaniel), Brussels Griffon, chow chow, pug, Japanese spaniel, Pekingese (13 breeds)”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“heck-In Pet Check-in Pet Check-in Pets cannot be carried in-flight. Passengers pay a separate fee to check-in their pets in the same way as checked baggage. Star Flyer allows passengers to check-in only tame pets that…”
Hold: Booking methodcall the SF Call Center“passengers planning to check-in pets are asked to call the SF Call Center (Japan domestic flight reservation and information center)”
Hold: Season restrictionsMay 1 - October 31“We will no longer check the following dog species during the May 1 - October 31 period.”
Hold: Advance checkin minutes30“To allow time for the consent form to be checked, we ask that you come to the baggage counter with your pet at least 30 minutes prior to the departure time of your flight.”
Hold: Crate must have/bewater bowl, a carrier“heck-In Pet Check-in Pet Check-in Pets cannot be carried in-flight. Passengers pay a separate fee to check-in their pets in the same way as checked baggage. Star Flyer allows passengers to check-in only tame pets that…”
Service & assistance animals
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“The Company will undertake the transport of pets accompanying passengers as checked baggage and carry on baggage under certain conditions. Pets, as used here, refers to tame small dogs, cats and birds.”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“The Company will undertake the transport of pets accompanying passengers as checked baggage and carry on baggage under certain conditions. Pets, as used here, refers to tame small dogs, cats and birds.”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Baggage is all items a passenger has, including checked baggage and carry on baggage, in the absence of special provision elsewhere. Checked baggage is baggage of which the Company received delivery and for which a…”
Hold: Booking methodcall the SF Call Center“passengers planning to check-in pets are asked to call the SF Call Center (Japan domestic flight reservation and information center)”
Hold: Advance checkin minutes30“To allow time for the consent form to be checked, we ask that you come to the baggage counter with your pet at least 30 minutes prior to the departure time of your flight.”
Hold: Crate must have/bewater bowl, a carrier“heck-In Pet Check-in Pet Check-in Pets cannot be carried in-flight. Passengers pay a separate fee to check-in their pets in the same way as checked baggage. Star Flyer allows passengers to check-in only tame pets that…”
The cabin carrier and its contents must stay within 10 kilograms combined. That figure includes the dog, the bag, water, and any padding. Weigh the loaded carrier at home on a kitchen scale before departure. Trim bedding or accessories if the total creeps past 10 kilograms. A carrier that measures fine but weighs too much gets refused at the gate.
Frequently asked
- What is the cabin weight limit on StarFlyer?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 10 kg.
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on StarFlyer?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, StarFlyer charges from 6600 JPY in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
One cabin cage costs 6600 JPY for a single route on all StarFlyer routes. Budget 6600 JPY per direction, not per trip, so a return booking doubles the charge. Pay this fee separately from the passenger ticket. Confirm the amount at check-in, since it attaches to the cage rather than the fare, and carry it as a distinct line in the travel budget.
Pixel makes friends with every customs officer, but paperwork still decides the day. StarFlyer accepting dogs in the cabin is only the starting point; your specific route, weight, and dates shape what you actually need. Build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder before you book, and let it turn these numbers into a clear, dated checklist for your real trip rather than a guess.
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.