THE success of a test charter flight which allowed pet dogs to travel with their owners in the cabin of an All Nippon Airways (ANA) aircraft has convinced the airline to consider introducing regular pet-friendly services.
ANA arranged the special charter flight from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to Kushiro, in Hokkaido, back in May, at the behest of customers.
The basic package for the flight and a two-night stay in Hokkaido costed Y220,000 (US$2,190) for two adults and a dog. ANA confirmed that tickets sold out in two days. In total, 87 passengers and 44 dogs went on the trip.
“It was very popular from the outset and all the feedback we have had from passengers was very positive,” Maho Ito, a spokeswoman for the airline, told TTG Asia e-Daily.
“We decided to organise the trip because of the number of requests we have received for something like this.”
For the duration of the flight, the dogs were kept in cages that were fastened to window seats, while a vet was also on board.
ANA has not been able to confirm any other airline offering such a service.
“The department that organised the flight is considering trying something similar again, although we have no concrete plans to do so at the moment,” said Ito.
She added that international flights might also be under consideration.
