Korean Air Pet Policy

Korean Air allows pets (dogs, cats, and birds) in the cabin, as checked baggage in the cargo hold, or as air cargo—but not on international flights on Boeing 737s. Trained service dogs are allowed travel free of charge in the aircraft cabin with disabled passengers. Pet reservations must be made at least 48 hours before departure for international flights and 24 hours before departure for domestic flights. 

Korean Air’s pet policy does not allow other pets on the aircraft, such as hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, turtles, chickens, snakes, pigs, etc. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds are only accepted in the cabin, and fierce dog breeds (as defined by the Korean government) are not allowed on any aircraft. 

Note. Starting July 14, 2021, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily suspended the travel of dogs into the U.S from high-risk rabies countries as well as non-high-risk countries if the dogs have visited a high-risk country in the last 6 months. For more information, refer to the CDC Website.

Korean Air In-Cabin Pet Policy—Pets as Carry-on Baggage

Does Korean Air allow pets in the cabin?

Korean Air’s pet policy for in-cabin pets allows the transportation of small pets such as dogs, cats, and birds in the aircraft cabin. 2 same-breed pets younger than 6 months can travel in one pet carrier as long as there’s enough room for them. 

Korean Air Pet Travel Requirements for In-Cabin Pets

Below are the highlights of the pet travel requirements for pets travelling as carry-on baggage on Korean Air. 

• Pets Allowed. Small dogs, cats, and birds.
• Pet Age. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old. 
• Pet Weight. The total weight of the pet (incl. pet carrier) must not exceed 15.4lb/7kg. 
• Pet Forms. The destination country’s documentation requirements must be met.
  • Valid health certificate 
  • Rabies certificates
  • Export certificates (if required)

Tip. Check the country-specific pet regulations.

• Pet Reservations. Call to make advance reservations.
  • International flights. Book at least 48 hours before departure. 
  • Domestic flights. Book at least 24 hours before departure.
• Check-in. You must reach the airport at least 3 hours before departure to complete the check-in formalities for your pet.
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Pet Carrier Dimensions for In-Cabin Pets
    The pet carrier size for in-cabin pets must not exceed:
    • 45cm/17.5in in length
    • 32cm/12.5in in width 
    • 19cm/7.5in in height
      (25cm/10in for soft carriers)
  • Must fit under your front seat.​
  • Should have a waterproof bottom. 
  • Must be spacious enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down.
  • Must be securely fastened adequately ventilated. 
  • Your pet must remain inside the carrier throughout the flight. 
  • Must be made of sturdy material, such as plastic, wood, or metal (fabric and leather are also allowed for in-cabin pets).
• Pet Restrictions
  • Destination restrictions. Pets are not allowed in the cabin for destinations that require them to arrive in the cargo hold, such as Hong Kong, Australia, United Kingdom, etc.
  • Breed restrictions. Dogs defined as fierce by the Korean government are not accepted on aircraft. They include the following dogs and their mixed breeds:
    • Wolf Dogs
    • Tosa 
    • Rottweilers 
    • Pit Bull Terriers 
    • Ovtcharkas 
    • Mastiffs 
    • Laikas 
    • Kangals 
  • Number of pets allowed. Each passenger is allowed 1 pet on-board and 2 pets as checked baggage.
  • Seat restrictions apply when travelling with pets. 
  • Aircraft restrictions. Pets are not accepted on Boeing 737 aircraft.
  • Other restrictions
    • Foul-smelling, unhealthy, pregnant, and aggressive pets will not be accepted onboard. 
    • Noisy pets must be muzzled to prevent inconvenience to other passengers and crew. 
    • You’re not allowed to take your pet out of its carrier at any time.
• Pet Fee. The pet fees for in-cabin pets are route-based, as follows:
  • Within Korea KRW 30,000
  • Japan/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macao/China/Mongolia USD 150/CAD 150
  • Southeast Asia/Southwest Asia (incl. Guam and Palau) USD 225/CAD 225
  • The Americas/Europe/Middle East/Africa/Oceania USD 300/CAD 300

Korean Air Checked Pets Policy 

If your pet is too large to travel in the aircraft cabin or your flight is very long, it can travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold compartment. This section of the aircraft has the same temperature and pressure conditions as the passenger cabin.

Korean Air Pet Travel Requirements for Pets as Checked Baggage

Below are the highlights of the pet travel requirements for pets travelling as checked baggage on Korean Air. 

• Pets Allowed. Only dogs, cats, and birds are allowed to travel in the cargo hold section of the aircraft. 
• Pet Age. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old. 
• Pet Weight. The total weight of the pet plus carrier must not exceed 99lb/45kg (70lb/32kg in some countries).
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Pet Carrier Dimensions for Pets as Checked Baggage
    The maximum combined dimensions of the pet carrier (L + W + H) for pets travelling in the cargo hold must not exceed 291cm/114in and the maximum height should not be more than 84cm/33in.
  • You must feed and water your pet no more than 2 hours before your flight’s departure. 
  • Be sure to provide absorbent bedding in the pet carrier​.
  • Attach your name and phone number in English to the pet carrier.​
  • The pet carrier must be large enough for your pet to stand up, sit down, lie down, and turn around. 
  • Your pet may be denied entry (at your cost) if the destination country’s regulations prohibit the transportation of animals for commercial purposes like adoption, sale, event participation, research, or breeding purposes. 
  • Your pet carrier must be IATA-compliant. 

Pet Forms. You must comply with the arrival/transit/departure country’s documentation requirements, including but not limited to a health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel or as required by the destination country), rabies certificate, and export certificate (if required).
Tip. Do go through the country-specific pet regulations.

• Pet Reservations. Call to book your pet as checked baggage.
  • For international routes, you must book at least 48 hours before departure. 
  • For flights within Korea, you must book at least 24 hours before departure.
• Pet Restrictions
  • Temperature Restrictions. Pets will not be accepted on a flight if the actual or forecasted temperature in any city on the itinerary is below 45°F (7.2°C) or above 85°F (29.4°C). If the temperature is below 45°F, an acclimation certificate may be required for travel.
  • Destination Restrictions. Pets will not be accepted on flights to countries that require them to enter as air cargo, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, etc.
  • Breed restrictions. The following breeds of dogs and cats will not be accepted as checked baggage: 

• Each passenger can travel with 2 pets as checked baggage and 1 pet on board as carry-on baggage.
• Korean Air Pet Fee – The pet fees for pets travelling as checked baggage (in the cargo hold section) are as follows: 

Korean Air Pet Policy for Cargo Pets

Can you tell me about Korean Air pet shipping?

If your pet weighs between 70 – 99lb (32 – 45kg), including the pet crate, you can send it as unaccompanied air cargo baggage. 

• Pets Allowed Dogs, cats, and birds are accepted as air cargo. Other animals, such as weasels, some types of monkeys and reptiles, hedgehogs, and other animals may also be accepted. 
• Pet Age
  • Pets flying to the United States must be at least:
    • 4 months old if travelling for non-commercial reasons.
    • 6 months old if travelling for commercial reasons. 
  • Pets flying to other countries must be at least 3 months old (depending on the country’s regulations).
• Pet Fee for Cargo Pets The pet fee for pets travelling as air cargo is based on dimensional weight. For cost information, contact a Korean Air Cargo Facility.
• Pet Forms Required 
  • Import/export permits
  • Rabies and health certificates
    (the health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel)
  • Rabies titer tests
  • Quarantine reservations 
  • Arrival country’s documentation
  • Pets must be microchipped and the microchip number must appear on the documentation. 
• Breed Restrictions. Refer to Fierce Dog Breeds and Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog and cat breeds above. 
• Temperature Restrictions. Refer to the section above. 
• Pet Crate Requirements
  • Must be IATA-compliant. 
  • Dogs weighing more than 65lb/29.5kg must travel in wooden crates. 
• Air Pet Cargo Reservations. Get in touch with a Korean Air Cargo Facility.

Travelling with Service Animals on Korean Air 

Korean Air allows the transportation of service animals (only dogs) to travel free of charge with special needs passengers without a cage. However, service dogs are not allowed to occupy a seat. 

If you’re travelling with a service dog, you don’t have to fill out the pet transportation declaration form. However, some countries may require a quarantine certificate for entry. 

Travelling with Service Animals To/From the United States 

Starting February 1, the U.S DOT will only accept trained service animals on flights to/from the United States. 

• The service dog should be:
  • At least 16 weeks old. 
  • Trained to perform tasks for the physically/mentally impaired passenger. 
• Korean Air accepts up to 2 trained service animals per passenger.
• You must:
  • Request the service through the Korean Air service center, and
  • Complete the DOT forms below for each service animal
    • US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
      and 
  • Submit the forms at least 48 hours before your flight’s departure
• Conditions of acceptance – The service animal:
  • Must be harnessed/leashed at all times.
  • Must behave appropriately and be under the handler’s control at all times.
  • Must not engage in aggressive or disruptive behavior. 
  • Must remain seated on the floor without encroaching another passenger’s space/aisle space.
  • Must have proper documentation, such as a vaccination certificate, quarantine papers, etc., based on the destination country’s requirements. 

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Frequently Asked Questions on Korean Air Pet Policy