Customers with Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs including Guide Dogs (Seeing Eye dogs), hearing dogs, and mobility assistance dogs can be brought on board free of charge.
The icons named Japan Domestic or International indicate differences in service for Japan domestic and international flights. Content not marked with an icon applies to both, Japan domestic and international flights.
Notes
- You are required to tether the service dog on a lead, harness or similar at all times.
- A service dog must be trained to perform specific work and provide support for a person with a disability. Our staff at the departure airport may ask you several questions. If we decide as a result that the service dog criteria are not met, your dog will be checked in as a pet in the cargo compartment.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and mobility assistance dogs are permitted on board all flights.
- Medium or large-sized dogs will have to lie down on the floor of the cabin. For large-size dogs, this may result in their intruding into the space of the adjacent seat or the aisle. In this instance, you may be required to purchase the adjacent seat as space for your service dog. If you wish to bring a pet cage on board the aircraft,
please check Carry-on Baggage Size and Rules (International Flights). - For codeshare flights on US routes, the aforementioned service dogs are accepted only on codeshare flights with United Airlines.
- ANA's handling is based on the regulations and notices of the US Department of Transportation (US DOT). For further details, please see the US Department of Transportation website.
- If you violate the items specified on the application document, or if the service dog causes damage inside the airport or aircraft, ANA will claim compensation from the passenger with service dog for the damage.
- In accordance with airport management regulations in Japan, assistance dogs (other than guide dogs, hearing dogs, and mobility assistance dogs) are prohibited from accompanying passengers within the airport terminal and are required to be transported by cage.
Reservations
Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Mobility Assistance Dogs
Upon making your reservation, please inform us if you will need any assistance when traveling with your assistance dog.
The staff at the airport will confirm the Assistance Dog Certificate (Guide Dog Certificate for a guide dog) and the assistance dog indication on the dog.
You may be asked to present a document, harness, tag, etc that proves the dog is a guide dog, hearing dog or mobility assistance dog. In addition, we may ask you for confirmation or similar.
Alert Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs
Alert Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs are allowed inside the cabin on eligible routes only.
Please refer to the chart for accepted service dogs based on route.
| Type of Service Dog | Eligible route | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
U.S. | Canada
|
Mexico
|
|
Mexico only
|
||
For non-eligible dogs and/or itineraries including connecting flights with destinations other than the USA, Mexico and Canada, the dog will be checked in as a pet in the cargo hold.
A hard, leak-proof cage with security lock is required to keep the dog in the cargo.
(Example) Psychiatric Service Dog
NH11 March 15 Chicago to Haneda : permitted on board (cabin)
NH801 March 16 Haneda to Singapore : Pet in the cargo compartment
(Example) Alert Dog
NH105 April 10 Los Angeles to Haneda : permitted on board (cabin)
NH993 April 11 Haneda to Okinawa : Pet in the cargo compartment
Transportation fees may be waived on certain routes for eligible service dogs with proper documentation.
Please contact ANA Disability Desk for details.
For international travel, entry/exit requirements for assistance dogs vary by country/region. Customers are requested to prepare all necessary documents (export quarantine certificate, health certificate, import certificate, etc.) for import/export of animals in advance by checking with the quarantine station, embassy, etc. in the country/district of departure and destination.
Traveling on routes to/from Japan
Customers are entering/leaving Japan or transferring to/from Japan, please check the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website "Animal Quarantine Service" and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website "Information for Assistance Dog Users Traveling from Abroad".
Traveling on routes to/from the U.S.
Please prepare the following application and notify the ANA Disability Desk at least 48 hours prior to departure.
U.S.Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form
Transportation Restrictions for Dogs Traveling to the United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a notice that the entry requirements for all dogs on passenger and cargo flights arriving in the U.S. on or after August 1, 2024, is revised.
For details, please refer to "For Passengers Traveling with Dogs to the United States".
Traveling on routes to/from Canada
Please prepare the following two documents and notify the ANA Disability Desk at least 96 hours prior to departure.
- Service Dog Behavior and Training Attestation Form
- Identification card or other document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training.
Traveling on routes to/from Mexico
Please prepare the following application and notify the ANA Disability Desk at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Psychiatric Service Dog/Emotional Support Dog Application for Mexico
Traveling on routes to/from HongKong
Customers traveling to or transiting in Hong Kong with assistance dogs are required to apply for a special permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in Hong Kong prior to travel. It may take up to two weeks from application to approval.
Contact Information for Sending Applications / Inquiries
Email inquiry
Inquiries by Telephone
Codeshare Flights
When using codeshare flights, the rules and services of the operating carrier apply. Please contact each company for details. For details, please refer to "For Codeshare Customers".
Seat Preferences
Please note that for safety reasons emergency exit row seats are not available for customers who need assistance. Passengers with assistance dogs are kindly requested to contact the ANA Disability Desk to arrange seating to accommodate their needs as much as possible.
- * Seats are subject to change without notice due to aircraft changes or other unavoidable reasons.
Boarding
All required documents of the dog for entry into the country (ies) en route.
Approximate Time of Arrival to the Airport
60 minutes prior to the departure time
120 minutes prior to the departure time
Security Checks
For safety reasons, all customers must undergo the security checks. Please note that the security check may involve contact inspection.
Pre-boarding Service
Pre-boarding service is available for passengers who need assistance.
If you wish to use the pre-boarding service, please inform the staff at the boarding gate. Once the aircraft preparations have been completed, you will be allowed to board first. Please note that depending on the flight status, this service may not be apply.
Arrival
If you have requested assistance for disembarkation, please remain seated until our staff comes to your seat to escort you off the aircraft. Our staff will escort you to the arrival lobby or to the person meeting you for pickup. Please feel free to ask. Please request this service upon making your reservation or contact the ANA Disability Desk to request it instead.