This Airline Says No Pets in the Cabin

A recent survey conducted by Japan’s the Mainichi Shimbun reveals that the majority of Japanese airlines are standing firm on their policy requiring pets to be checked-in as cargo rather than allowing them to travel with their owners in the cabin.

Pet owners are able to travel with their pets on many airlines across the world, but Japanese airlines have a very strict policy that requires pets to travel in the hold, mainly due to allergy concerns. This policy, however, has come under investigation after a tragic incident on January 2, in which two pets perished in the crash of JAL flight 516.

Out of the thirteen Japanese airlines surveyed only one indicated a willingness to allow pets in the cabin. Japan Airlines expressed concern about the difficulties pet owners might have adhering to rules, particularly if it means having to leave their cherished animals behind, even though it did not completely rule out the possibility of allowing pets in the cabin in the future.

There were two pets on board burning in an A350 aircraft when the tragic Japan Airlines flight JL 516 crashed at Haneda Airport (HND). These animals were registered on the tragic flight that left from New Chitose Airport (SPK) in Sapporo and arrived at HND Airport, as confirmed by Japan Airlines in communication with the local press.