Can you even board a plane with your pet?

In Japan, it’s common practice to check pets into the cargo hold when traveling on a passenger plane.

However, there are some cases where you can bring your pet on board.

For pet owners, a major concern when traveling or moving is whether or not to bring their pet.

Especially when traveling by plane, many people may give up on their pets due to concerns about checking them in the cargo hold.

However, pet policies vary by airline, and some pet-friendly airlines allow small dogs and cats in carriers to travel in the cabin.

Japan

Star Flyer

Citation source https://www.starflyer.jp/checkin/pet/flywithpet/

Airline	Star Flyer
Service name	FLY WITH PET!
Animals allowed to be transported	Dogs, cats, and small birds
Carry-on weight limit	Total weight including cage must be 7kg or less
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda), Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Yamaguchi Ube, Nagoya (Chubu), Sendai
Website	https://www.starflyer.jp/checkin/pet/flywithpet/

Asia

Korean Air

Source https://www.koreanair.com/contents/footer/about-us/who-we-are/overview/greetings

Airline	KOREAN AIR)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs, cats, birds
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 7kg or less
Served airports	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda/Narita), Nagoya (Chubu), Sapporo (New Chitose), Fukuoka
Features	Birds allowed on board
Website	https://www.koreanair.com/contents/plan-your-travel/special-assistance/travel-with-pets/guide

Air Seoul

Source https://flyairseoul.com/CW/ja/company.do

Airline	Air Seoul
Animals allowed to be transported	Dogs, cats, and small birds
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 9 kg or less
Airports served	Kansai (Osaka), Narita (Tokyo), Fukuoka, Takamatsu, Yonago (Yonago Kitaro Airport)
Features	Frequent flights to Japan
Website	https://flyairseoul.com/CW/ja/animal.do

AsianaAirline

Source https://flyasiana.com/C/JP/JA/contents/overview

Airline	Asiana Airlines (AIR SEOUL)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs, cats, birds
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 7kg or less
Served airports	Osaka (Kansai), Asahikawa, Sapporo (New Chitose), Miyazaki, Nagoya (Chubu), Okinawa (Naha), Sendai, Tokyo (Haneda/Narita)
Features	Birds allowed on board
Website	https://flyasiana.com/C/JP/JA/contents/traveling-with-pets

Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Airline	Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Aeroflot)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, hedgehogs, and small monkeys
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 8 kg or less
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
Features	Exotic pets allowed on board
Website	https://www.aeroflot.ru/jp-ja/information/special/animals?_preferredLocale=jp&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&_preferredLanguage=ja

North America

UnitedAirlines

Source https://united.mediaroom.com/2022-12-13-United-Airlines-Unveils-Historic-Order-to-Purchase-Up-To-200-New-Boeing-Widebody-Planes

Airlines	United Airlines (AIRLINES)
Animals Allowed for Transport	Dogs, Cats
Carry-on Weight	Not specified as of August 2025
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda/Narita)
Website	https://www.united.com/ja/jp/fly/travel/traveling-with-pets.html#ontheplane

CanadaAirline

Source https://flyrouge.com/ca/en/index.html

Airline	Canadian Airlines (AIR CANADA)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs and cats
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 10 kg or less
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
Features	Pets 10 weeks of age or older can board
Website	https://www.aircanada.com/jp/ja/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html#/

Europe

Air France

Quoted from https://wwws.airfrance.co.jp/ja-jp/

Airline	Air France (AIR FRANCE)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs and cats
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 8kg or less
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
Features	Up to 75kg (including cage) can be treated as checked baggage
Website	https://wwws.airfrance.co.jp/ja/information/passagers/voyager-avec-son-animal-chien-chat

Swiss International Air Lines

Source https://www.swiss.com/corporate/en/company/about-us/sponsoring

Airline	Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
Animals allowed to be transported	Dogs and cats
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 8 kg or less
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Narita)
Features	Rabbits can also be carried in the cargo hold
Website	https://www.swiss.com/jp/ja/homepage

Lufthansa

Source https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/a380?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Airline	Lufthansa German Airlines (Lufthansa)
Animals that can be transported	Dogs and cats
Carry-on weight	Total weight including cage must be 8 kg or less
Served airports	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
Features	Two small pets can travel together
Website	https://www.lufthansa.com/jp/ja/travelling-with-animals

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Airlines	KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Airlines)
Animals Allowed	Dogs and Cats
Carry-on Weight	Total weight including cage must be under 8 kg
Airports served	Osaka (Kansai), Tokyo (Narita)
Features	Two small pets allowed together
Website	https://www.klm.co.jp/information/pets

Advantages and Disadvantages of Carrying a Companion on the Plane

Benefits

• Pet and owner feel at ease knowing they’re nearby
  
• Check on your pet’s condition frequently
  
• Less stress

Disadvantages

• Restrictions on the type, weight, and size of pets allowed
  
• Restrictions on cage size and material
  
• Their cries may cause problems.
  
• The cost may be higher.

Travel Precautions

When traveling internationally with pets, rules vary depending on your destination.

Some countries may not even allow certain types of pets to enter.

First, check the official website of each airline, then carefully research the following points before proceeding.

① Check with your veterinarian to see if your pet is safe for extended travel.

② Check pet laws and regulations in your destination country or region

③ Prepare a health certificate and vaccination record that comply with the laws of your destination country or region.

④ Research pet medical services and medical institutions at your destination

Specialized Pet Overseas Shipping Service

We offer a specialized pet transportation service that provides total support for domestic and international travel with pets, including international travel, relocation, and overseas assignments.

Our experienced, specialized staff will handle all the necessary support for international travel, including tedious paperwork procedures.
Our partnership with Comasuke ensures safe, secure, and comfortable travel, from domestic pick-up and drop-off to international flight connections.

Please feel free to contact Comasuke.

Summary

Plane travel with pets has become possible in Japan.

Major international airlines are increasingly allowing small dogs and cats (under 7 kg) to travel in the cabin without putting stress on them.

Though careful preparation is required, being able to spend time with your pet while traveling is a great attraction.

Even if you’ve previously given up on traveling with your pet, why not check with the airline’s official website to explore the possibilities?