When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does All Nippon Airways allow pets on my specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on All Nippon Airways? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for All Nippon Airways? All your answers related to All Nippon Airways pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? No (assistance dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is All Nippon Airways based?
All Nippon Airways, otherwise known as ANA [IATA:NH], is based out of Tokyo, Japan. It is the largest airline in this country.
What countries does ANA fly to?
All Nippon Airways offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
All Nippon Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin
No live animal is permitted to fly in the cabin with ANA unless you are flying with a guide, hearing or mobility assistance dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability. Psychiatric and dogs who are trained to alert passengers or crew when certain conditions occur are accepted on flights to/from the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Service/assistance dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a hearing, vision or mobility related disability.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. If the dog is too large to accommodate this space, the passenger can purchase an additional seat.
They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew. The passenger is responsible to care for their pet’s hygienic needs and any damage done to the aircraft.
Psychiatric and alert dogs are permitted on flights to/from the United States, Canada or Mexico.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
If the itinerary involves connecting flights, all assistance dogs will be flown as checked baggage on the second leg of the flight.
Note that all service, psychiatric and alert dogs are subject to the same regulations to enter a foreign country as are other dogs.
All Nippon Airways Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on ANA if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin. Pets should have no special needs for food, additional water or medication from the time of check in to when their pet arrives at the destination. Facilities for caring for your pet during a layover should be discussed with All Nippon Airways.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by All Nippon Airways as checked baggage
Domestic dogs, cats and household birds are permitted to fly as checked baggage on All Nippon Airways.
Reservations
Reservations for the carriage of pets must be made by telephone; they cannot be made online. Pet owners should contact ANA at least 2 days in advance; however, as there are limits as to the number of pets allowed per flight, owners are encouraged to contact ANA as soon as possible after making their reservations.
Age requirements
All pets must be at least four months old to travel. Minimum age also depends on regulations of the destination country. Japan and Australia will require ten months of age to meet their country requirements.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate measurements (L+W+H) must not exceed 115″ (292 cm). Maximum weight must not exceed 99 lbs. (45 kg). One pet is permitted per crate except for household birds where two are permitted per crate if room allows.
Non-spillable water bottles are required to avoid spillage. For flights between May 1 and October 31, no coverings are permitted on crates to provide increased ventilation. This may affect owners of birds flying with pre-manufactured plastic crates.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets are not permitted as checked baggage on flights to the United Kingdom, Australia or Hong Kong. They must enter these countries as air cargo. Pets are not permitted on flights to Perth, Australia as all pets entering Australia must do so at Melbourne.
Forms Required
All pets flying as checked baggage must have proof of rabies vaccination and health certificates as well as all documentation required for their destination country. All Nippon Airways will require a release of liability form.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Pets outbound from Japan must check in at least two hours prior to departure. Pet owners are encouraged to check airport demand and arrive early.
Pet fee
The cost to fly your pet as checked baggage on ANA is between $250 and $400 USD (JPY 2500-40000, 250-400 CAD, €200-300) depending on your route.
All Nippon Airways Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well; however, your pet should have no special needs for food, additional water or medication during flight. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by All Nippon Airways as air cargo
Dogs, cats, birds and other animals can be flown on ANA as air cargo. Agents are required to handle air cargo transports.
Reservations
Your agent should handle the reservations for your pet. All bookings should be discussed in advance with ANA Cargo.
Age requirements
All pets must be at least four months old to travel. Minimum age also depends on regulations of the destination country. Japan and Australia will require 10 months of age to meet their country requirements
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate measurements (L+W+H) must not exceed 115″ (292 cm). Maximum weight must not exceed 99 lbs. (45 kg). One pet is permitted per crate except for household birds where two are permitted per crate if room allows.
Non-spillable water bottles are required to avoid spillage. All crates should be marked with the pet’s name and breed.
For flights between May 1 and October 31, no coverings are permitted on crates to provide increased ventilation. This may affect owners of birds flying with pre-manufactured plastic crates.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
All pets flying as air cargo must have a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and other rabies-carrying mammals). Pet owners are required to ensure compliance of laws for any layovers on their itinerary as well as their destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the All Nippon Airways cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
Your agent can advise you as to the cost of flying your pet as air cargo.
All Nippon Airways Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. ANA requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by All Nippon Airways
from May 1st to October 31st, the following breeds or their mixes will not be accepted in the cargo hold Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Tibetan Spaniel, Brussels Griffin, Chow Chow, Pug, Chin, and Pekingese.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
Pregnant or sedated pets will not be accepted. All Nippon Airways will not fly pets transported for commercial purposes.
The information published here is a guideline for All Nippon Airways airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Questions About Flying a Pet on All Nippon Airways?
Have a comment or question about flying with All Nippon Airways? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following All Nippon Airways pet policy.
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