Korean Air Pet Policy

Dogs, cats, and birds can travel with Korean Air in the cabin, as checked luggage in the cargo hold, or as air cargo, but they can’t take international trips on Boeing 737s. Trained service dogs can fly for free in the cabin of an airplane with their crippled owners. For foreign flights, reservations for pets must be made at least 48 hours ahead of time. For local flights, reservations must be made at least 24 hours ahead of time. 

Other pets, like hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, turtles, chickens, snakes, pigs, etc., are not allowed on Korean Air flights. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breeds are only allowed in the cabin, and the Korean government says that dangerous dog types are not allowed on any plane. 

In-Cabin Pet Policy

Here are some of the most important things you need to know about taking your pet on Korean Air as carry-on luggage. 

• • Animals allowed. birds, small dogs, and cats.
  • Pet age. The minimum age for pets is 8 weeks. 
  • Pet Size. The pet’s total weight, including the pet carrier, cannot be more than 15.4 lbs./7 kg. 
  • Animal forms. The paperwork criteria of the country of destination must be satisfied.
    • Health certificate 
    • Rabies certificates
    • Export certificates

• Pet Reservation

• International Flight: Make a reservation at least 48 hours before you leave.

• Domestic Flight: Make a reservation at least 24 hours before you leave.

• • Check-in. To get your pet checked in, you need to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.

• Carrier Requirements:

• • • Sizes of Pet Carriers for Pets in the Cabin
      • 45cm/17.5in in length
      • 32cm/12.5in in width 
      • 19cm/7.5in in height
    • Has to fit under your front seat.Should have a bottom that doesn’t leak. 
    • The pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down in the space.
    • Must be properly attached and have enough airflow. 
    • During the trip, your pet must stay inside the cage. 
    • Must be made of a strong material, like plastic, wood, or metal. Fabric and leather are also acceptable for pets in the house.

• Pet Restrictions:

• • • Destination Restriction: Pets can’t be in the cabin if they need to land in the cargo hold, which is the case for Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, and other places.
    • Bread Restrictions: Dogs that the Korean government says are dangerous are not allowed on planes. The following dogs and their mixes are among them:
      • Wolf Dogs, Tosa, Rottweilers, Pit Bull, Terriers, Ovtcharkas, Mastiffs, Laikas, Kangals 
  • There are rules about where you can sit when you bring your pets with you on a trip. 
  • Rules for airplanes. You cannot bring pets on Boeing 737 airplanes.

• Pet Fee: The fees for pets in the cabin depend on the route, as follows:

• KRW 30,000 inside of Korea
• China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Mongolia. CAD 150 = USD 150
• Southeast Asia/Southwest Asia (including Guam and Palau) 225 USD per 225 CAD
• The Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania CAD 300 = USD 300

Korean Air Checked Pets Policy 

If your pet is too big to go in the cabin of the plane or if your flight is really long, it can travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage. The temperature and pressure in this part of the aircraft are the same as in the passenger cabin.

Pet Travel Requirements for Pets as Checked Baggage 

Here are the important things to know about traveling with pets as checked baggage on Korean Air. 

• Pet Allowed: You can only bring dogs, cats, and birds in the cargo hold of the airplane.

• Pet Age: At Least 8 Month Old

• Pet Weight: The pet and its carrier can’t weigh more than 99lb/45kg (70lb/32kg in some countries).

• Pet Carrier Requirements: 

• • • Dimensions for Pet Carriers as Checked Baggage: The total size of the pet carrier (length + width + height) for pets traveling in the cargo hold should not be more than 291cm/114in. Additionally, the height of the carrier should not exceed 84cm/33in.
    • You should give your pet food and water no later than 2 hours before your flight takes off. 
    • Make sure to put absorbent bedding in the pet carrier.
    • Please write your name and phone number in English on the pet carrier. The pet carrier should be big enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around. 
    • If the country you’re going to doesn’t allow pets to be transported for commercial reasons like adoption, sale, events, research, or breeding, your pet might not be allowed to enter. And if that happens, you’ll have to pay for any expenses incurred. 
    • Make sure your pet carrier follows the guidelines set by IATA.

• Pet Forms: To enter or pass through a country, you need to follow its rules for documents. These may include a health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel or as specified by the destination country), a rabies certificate, and an export certificate if needed. Remember to review the pet regulations specific to the country you are visiting.

• Pet Reservations: 
  • To book international flights, you need to make your reservation at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. 
  • To book a flight within Korea, you need to make your reservation at least 24 hours before your planned departure time.
• Pet Restrictions
  • Rules about temperature. If the temperature in any city on your flight is below 45°F (7.2°C) or above 85°F (29.4°C), you cannot bring your pets with you. If the temperature is colder than 45°F, you might need a certificate to travel.
  • Restrictions on where you can go. Pets are not allowed on flights to certain countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, etc. if they need to be transported as air cargo.
  • Restrictions on specific breeds. 
  • Every passenger is allowed to bring 2 pets as checked baggage and 1 pet as carry-on baggage on board.
  • Korean Air charges a fee for bringing pets on board. The fees for pets traveling as checked baggage in the cargo hold section are as follows:

Pet Transportation Charges—Pets as Checked Baggage
Region	Up to 70lb/32kg	70 – 99lb (32 – 45kg)
Within Korea	KRW 30,000	KRW 60,000
Japan/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macao/China/Mongolia	USD 150/CAD 150/KRW 150,000	USD 300/CAD 300/KRW 300,000
Southeast Asia/Southwest Asia (incl. Guam and Palau)	USD 225/CAD 225/KRW 225,000	USD 450/CAD 450/KRW 450,000
The Americas/Europe/Middle East/Africa/Oceania	USD 300/CAD 300/KRW 300,000	USD 600/CAD 600/KRW 600,000

Read also: Korean Air Flight Cancellation Policy

Korean Air Pet Policy for Cargo Pets 

If your pet weighs between 70 and 99 pounds (32 and 45 kilograms), including the crate, you can send it as air cargo baggage without accompanying it. 

• Pet Allowed: You can transport dogs, cats, and birds as air cargo. Other animals like weasels, certain monkeys, reptiles, hedgehogs, and other animals might also be allowed.

• Pet Age: At Least 3-Month-Old 

• Fees: The pet fee for pets that fly as air cargo is based on the total weight of the pet’s dimensions. Contact a Korean Air Cargo Facility to find out about prices.

• Forms Required: 

• • Import/export permits
  • Rabies and health certificates
  • Rabies titer tests
  • Quarantine reservations 
  • Arrival country’s documentation
• Crate Requirement: 
  • IATA compliance is required. 
  • Dogs that weigh more than 65 lbs (29.5 kg) must travel in crates made of wood.

Service Animals on Korean Air 

Only dogs are allowed to travel with special needs customers on Korean Air’s free service animal program without a cage. Service animals cannot sit in a seat, though. 

The pet transportation declaration form is not necessary if you are traveling with a service dog. However, admittance to some nations could need a quarantine certificate. 

Read Also: Korean Air Pet Policy

FAQs

Can I bring my pet on board with me during my flight with Korean Air?

Yes, you can bring birds, small dogs, and cats in the cabin with you on Korean Air. However, other pets like hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, turtles, chickens, snakes, pigs, etc., are not allowed on Korean Air flights.

What are the requirements for pets to travel in the cabin with me?

To travel in the cabin, pets must be birds, small dogs, or cats, and the minimum age for pets is 8 weeks. The total weight of the pet, including the pet carrier, cannot exceed 15.4 lbs./7 kg. The required paperwork of the country of destination, including health and rabies certificates, must be satisfied.

Can I bring my brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breed in the cabin?

Yes, brachycephalic dog breeds are allowed in the cabin on Korean Air. However, dangerous dog types, as specified by the Korean government, are not allowed on any plane.

What are the restrictions for pets in the cargo hold as checked baggage?

Only dogs, cats, and birds are allowed in the cargo hold as checked baggage. Pets must be at least 8 months old, and the combined weight of the pet and its carrier cannot exceed 99lb/45kg (70lb/32kg in some countries). Specific dimensions for pet carriers must also be followed.

How do I make a reservation for my pet on Korean Air?

For international flights, you need to make a reservation for your pet at least 48 hours before your departure time. For domestic flights within Korea, the reservation must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.

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