We're in for a ruff flight! Japanese airline now allows passengers to travel with their dogs in the main cabin
- Japan Airlines has launched a charter service that allows dogs in the main cabin
- The domestic flight costs ¥150,000 (£1,037) and is part of a package tour
- Its first flight, which sold out in an hour, departed today from Narita, near Tokyo
A Japanese airline has launched a special flight service that allows passengers to fly with their dogs in the main cabin.
Japan Airlines' first 'wan wan jet' charter service departed on Friday from Narita airport near Tokyo and flew domestically to Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.
For ¥150,000 (£1,037), the package tour means owners and their dogs will also get to stay together in a hotel and go sightseeing in rented cars.
Japan Airlines has launched a special flight service which allows passengers to fly with their dogs in the main cabin, pictured
The 860-mile flight takes approximately two hours.
Toshihiko Kai, a 41-year-old company employee who was travelling with a four-year-old miniature dachshund, commented on his experience.
'It was painful for me to check in (my dog) as luggage at airport counters as it always barks,' he said.
An airline official added: 'Air travel with pets will lead to the opening of new markets for domestic flights.'
Its first 'wan wan jet' charter service departed on Friday from Narita airport near Tokyo and flew domestically to Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan
For ¥150,000 (£1,037), the package tour means owners and their dogs will also get to stay together in a hotel and go sightseeing in rented cars
The 860-mile flight, which carried 60 people and 30 dogs, takes approximately two hours
When the company announced its dog-friendly service in December, it was fully booked within an hour with about 60 people and 30 dogs, the company said.
According to the Japan Pet Food Association (JPFA), 18 per cent of Japanese households owned a pet at last count in 2009.
This equates to approximately 12.3million dogs - more than the number of children in the whole country.
When the company announced its dog-friendly service in December, it was fully booked within an hour
An airline official remarked: 'Air travel with pets will lead to the opening of new markets for domestic flights'
Usually, as is the case with most airlines across the world, dogs are required to travel in the aircraft's cargo hold - pictured, passengers wait to board the flight
It's not the first time owners have had the chance to fly with their pooches in Japan.
Last May, All Nippon Airways trialed a charter tour that took 87 passengers to Hokkaido Prefecture with 44 pets.
ANA's basic package cost about ¥220,000 (£2,500) for two adults and a dog - and demand was so great that the flight sold out in just two days.
During the flight, the dogs were kept in cages attached to window seats, according to Japan Times, and a veterinarian accompanied the tour.
Owners line up for the next leg of their journey, which includes a car to their dog-friendly hotel
According to the Japan Pet Food Association (JPFA), 18 per cent of Japanese households owned a pet at last count in 2009
This equates to approximately 12.3million dogs - more than the number of children in the whole country
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