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Flying with Pets on Jeju Air: What You Need to Know
I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I've learned that the difference between a smooth pet flight and a stressful one comes down to one thing: knowing the airline's rules inside and out. Jeju Air (7C) does allow pets to travel with you, but there are specific requirements you need to follow. This guide walks you through everything—cabin travel, cargo options, carrier specifications, and the documentation you'll need.
Can Your Pet Fly on Jeju Air?
Yes. Jeju Air allows both cats and dogs in the cabin, and also offers cargo/checked baggage options for pets. However, not every pet qualifies, and not every route accepts pets. The key is booking early and meeting all the airline's requirements before you arrive at the airport.
Service dogs may have different rules—we're still verifying this with Jeju Air directly, so contact them if your pet is a certified service animal.
Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin
This is the option I always recommend when possible. Cooper travels with me in the cabin, and it's far less stressful than cargo. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight, and you can monitor their comfort.
Cabin Eligibility
- Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned
- Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 9 kg (about 20 lbs)
- Maximum of 1 pet carrier per passenger
- Advance booking required: You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. Do not show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement—Jeju Air limits the number of pets per flight
Cabin Carrier Requirements
Your carrier must be soft-sided and fit under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:
- Maximum length: 40 cm (16 inches)
- Maximum width: 37 cm (15 inches)
- Maximum height: 23 cm (9 inches)
The carrier must have:
- Mesh ventilation on the sides for airflow
- An absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents during the flight
- Soft-sided construction (hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat)
Pro tip from my experience with Cooper: Even though he's 28kg, he wouldn't qualify for cabin travel on Jeju Air because he exceeds the 9kg combined weight limit. If your dog or cat is larger, you'll need to consider cargo or checked baggage options instead.
Breed Restrictions for Cabin Travel
Jeju Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The restricted breeds include:
- Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
- Pugs (all types)
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Shih Tzus
- Pekingese
- Chow Chows
- Japanese Chins
- Lhasa Apsos
- Shar Peis
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Mastiffs (all types)
- Pit Bulls and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
- Cane Corsos
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Presa Canarios
If your breed is on this list, contact Jeju Air directly to confirm—some airlines make exceptions, though it's rare. For more details, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.
Cabin Travel Fee
25,000 KRW (Korean Won) per pet, one way. This is roughly €17–20 USD depending on exchange rates. Budget for this fee when booking.
Cargo & Checked Baggage Options
If your pet is too large for cabin travel (like Cooper), cargo or checked baggage is your option. This is how I've transported Cooper on longer international moves. The process is more involved, but it works.
Cargo & Checked Baggage Eligibility
- Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned
- Advance booking required: Book as early as possible
- Temperature restrictions:
- Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
- Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
- Breed restrictions: Same brachycephalic restrictions apply
- No sedation allowed: IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies
Important: If you're traveling during hot or cold months, check the forecasted temperatures at both your departure and destination airports. If either exceeds the limits, your pet may be refused transport. Some airlines allow travel in colder conditions with a vet-issued acclimation certificate—contact Jeju Air to ask about this option.
Cargo & Checked Baggage Carrier Requirements
Unlike cabin carriers, cargo requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. This is non-negotiable. The crate must include:
- Hard-sided construction (plastic or wood, not soft-sided)
- Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations
- An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
- An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
- "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the outside of the crate
When I shipped Cooper internationally, I invested in a proper IATA-certified crate. It cost more upfront, but it's reusable and gives me peace of mind. You can find these crates online or at pet supply stores—search for "IATA-approved pet crate."
Health Certificates & Documentation
This is non-negotiable. You will not board without it.
- Health certificate required: Yes, from a licensed veterinarian
- Validity period: Issued within 10 days of your departure date (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination country's import rules)
- What it covers: The vet confirms your pet is healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations (especially rabies), and fit to fly
My advice: Schedule your vet appointment 2 weeks before departure. This gives you time to get the certificate and address any issues the vet finds. Don't wait until the last minute.
Depending on your destination country, you may also need import permits or additional documentation. Check the import requirements for your destination—for example, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan have strict pet import rules. See our pet travel documents checklist for a comprehensive overview.
Important Restrictions & Rules
No Sedation
Do not sedate your pet before flying, even if you think it will help them stay calm. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. If your vet and Jeju Air both explicitly approve sedation in writing, that's the only exception—but this is extremely rare.
Pregnant Animals
Most airlines, including Jeju Air, do not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact Jeju Air directly to confirm their policy.
Animals in Heat
We're still verifying Jeju Air's specific policy on this—contact them directly if your pet is in heat.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin pet fee: 25,000 KRW per pet, one way
- Cabin max weight (pet + carrier): 9 kg
- Cabin carrier dimensions: 40 cm L × 37 cm W × 23 cm H
- Cabin minimum age: 8 weeks
- Cargo minimum age: 10 weeks
- Advance booking required: At least 24 hours for cabin
- Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
- Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
- Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist
4–6 weeks before departure:
- Confirm your pet meets Jeju Air's requirements (age, weight, breed)
- If traveling to a specific country, research that country's pet import rules
- Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate (aim for 2 weeks before departure)
- If booking cargo, purchase or arrange an IATA-compliant crate
2 weeks before departure:
- Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate (valid for 10 days)
- Ensure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations, especially rabies
- Obtain any import permits required by your destination country
1 week before departure:
- Contact Jeju Air to pre-book your pet (required for both cabin and cargo)
- Confirm the booking and any special instructions
- For cabin travel: measure your carrier to ensure it fits the dimensions
- For cargo: prepare the crate with absorbent lining and water bowl
24 hours before departure:
- Confirm your pet booking with Jeju Air
- Pack your pet's documents: health certificate, import permits, vaccination records
- Arrive at the airport early to allow time for pet check-in
Comparing Your Options
If your pet qualifies for cabin travel and weighs 9 kg or less, cabin is almost always the better choice. You stay together, your pet avoids the stress of cargo holds, and the fee is reasonable (25,000 KRW). However, if your pet is larger—like Cooper—cargo or checked baggage is your only option. It's more expensive and requires more preparation, but it works reliably.
For a detailed cost breakdown, see our pet travel costs guide.
Need More Help?
Pet travel rules vary by airline and destination. Before you book, I recommend getting a personalized travel plan that accounts for your specific pet, route, and destination requirements. Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—it takes the guesswork out of the process.
You can also contact Jeju Air directly for clarification on any policy. They're generally responsive to pet travel inquiries, especially if you reach out early.
Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on auto-verified information from official Jeju Air sources. Pet travel policies change—always confirm directly with Jeju Air before booking.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026