A recent survey of Japanese airlines by Japan’s the Mainichi Shimbun shows that most will not reconsider the policy requiring pets to be checked-in as cargo rather than traveling with their human companions in the cabin.
Although many airlines around the world allow travelers to bring their pets onboard, Japan’s airlines require pets to fly in the hold, largely due to passenger allergy concerns. The policy has been put into question following the death of two pets during the crash of JAL flight 516 on January 2.
Still, the successful evacuation of all 379 passengers on board that plane has been attributed to the cabin crew enforcing regulations against passengers carrying any personal possessions during an emergency evacuation.
JAL Passengers Leave All Belongings Behind
On JAL flight 516, the airline has reported, “the aircraft’s announcement system malfunctioned during the evacuation, so cabin crew members conducted instructions using a megaphone and their voices. Cabin crew members determined safe exits for evacuation, and all passengers and crew members evacuated through three emergency exits.” Despite the fire affecting communications and disabling exits, all passengers had evacuated the plane within 18 minutes of landing. Cabin crew gave firm orders to passengers to leave all personal possessions on the plane.
Trying to evacuate with luggage and other personal items can pose a significant risk, as individuals may block aisles reaching for bags and prevent others from escaping. Bags can also damage the emergency slides passengers must use to get out.
In 2019, 41 of 78 people onboard were killed when an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft crash landed and burst into flames in Moscow. Some passengers who managed to evacuate were seen carrying luggage.
While it’s impossible to say whether more would have survived if everyone had evacuated empty handed, regulators around the world agree that the best chance of surviving a crash is to follow crew instructions and get out of the plane quickly, carrying nothing.
Japan Airlines Says Pets Might Hamper Evacuations
Only one of thirteen Japanese airlines the Mainchini surveyed said it would allow pets in the cabin. Star Flyer had previously established a policy allowing pets onboard, with certain restrictions. Ten other carriers dismissed the possibility outright.
Japan Airlines, which did not entirely discount allowing pets in the cabin in the future, expressed concern it might prove difficult for pet owners to comply with regulations if it means leaving beloved pets behind.
A JAL spokesperson told the Mainichi, “We have to consider whether pets brought on board will be a safety hazard during the smooth evacuation (of an aircraft), when human life is the highest priority.”
After the flight 516 crash, Japan Airlines apologized to its customers for the two pets who died in the hold as the A350 aircraft burned on the tarmac of Tokyo’s Haneda airport. “Regarding the checking in of pets, we take this responsibility with the understanding that we are taking care of a member of our customer’s family,” the airline stated. “We deeply apologize for the immense worry and inconvenience this incident has caused to our customers, their families, and all related parties.”
Star Flyer Requires Pets Be Left Behind During Evacuations
Japanese airline Star Flyer is the only airline allowing travelers to bring one pet onboard.
When the service was announced in 2021, a Star Flyer representative said, “Many passengers have voiced concerns that they are worried about keeping their pets in the cargo hold, and so we devised the plan to let them board with their pets.”
The service launched on limited flights in 2022 and is still more restrictive than other pet policies at airlines worldwide. Star Flyer passengers must book two reserved seats at the back of the plane. The pet travels in the carrier on the seat by the window, and only one passenger is allowed to fly with a pet on each flight.
Star Flyer expressly tells pet owners they cannot evacuate the aircraft with their pets in an emergency. The airline asks pet owners to sign a waiver confirming the policy.
An airline representative explained, “We can’t allow customers to evacuate with their pets as the transport ministry’s guidelines state that passengers are to evacuate without carrying their belongings.”
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