Can You Fly with Pets on Jin Air?

Yes, Jin Air allows both cats and dogs to travel with you. I've flown with my 28kg Golden Retriever, Cooper, on several international moves, and I know how important it is to understand exactly what an airline will and won't accept before you book. Jin Air offers three travel options for your pet: cabin travel (your pet stays with you), checked baggage (your pet travels in the hold with climate control), and cargo (for larger animals or when you need maximum flexibility).

The good news? Jin Air's policies are straightforward once you know the specifics. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option most people prefer—your pet stays with you throughout the flight. It's less stressful for anxious animals, and you can monitor them directly.

Size and Weight Limits

Jin Air's cabin pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:

  • Maximum length: 45 cm (18 inches)
  • Maximum width: 35 cm (11 inches)
  • Maximum height: 26 cm (10 inches)
  • Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 7 kg (15.4 lbs)

This is where I hit a wall with Cooper on my first move—at 28kg, he's far too large for cabin travel. If your cat or small dog weighs more than 7kg total with their carrier, you'll need to use checked baggage or cargo instead.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be soft-sided (not hard plastic) so it compresses to fit under the seat. It also needs:

  • Mesh ventilation on the sides for airflow
  • An absorbent liner or mat inside to handle accidents
  • Proper ventilation—your pet needs to breathe easily during the flight

I recommend investing in a quality soft-sided carrier designed specifically for airline travel. They're collapsible, which saves space, and they're built to meet airline standards.

Cabin Fee

20,000 KRW (Korean Won) one way. This is a fixed fee, not per kilogram. At current exchange rates, that's roughly $15–16 USD, making it one of the more affordable cabin pet fees in the industry.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before cabin travel. Younger animals aren't physiologically ready for flight stress.

Advance Booking

You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. Jin Air limits the number of pets per flight, so don't assume you can add your pet at the airport. Call ahead or book online when you purchase your ticket.

Checked Baggage: Your Pet in the Hold

If your pet is too large for the cabin (like Cooper), checked baggage is the next option. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled hold with other luggage.

Carrier Requirements

Unlike cabin travel, checked baggage requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. This is non-negotiable—soft carriers won't work. Your crate must have:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside
  • Live Animals labels with orientation arrows on at least two sides

When I shipped Cooper internationally, I invested in a proper IATA crate. It cost more upfront, but it's reusable and gives me peace of mind knowing it meets every safety standard.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for checked baggage travel—slightly older than cabin requirements.

Temperature Restrictions

Jin Air won't accept pets in checked baggage if:

  • It's colder than -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
  • It's hotter than 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

This is critical. If you're traveling during summer to a hot destination, you may not be able to fly. I learned this the hard way when I tried to move Cooper to Southeast Asia in July—the heat embargo blocked the flight. We rescheduled for September.

Note: If your vet certifies that your pet is acclimated to cold conditions, you may be able to travel below the cold threshold. Ask your vet about an acclimation certificate.

Advance Booking

Like cabin travel, you must pre-book your pet. Jin Air limits checked pet capacity per flight.

Cargo: Maximum Flexibility

Cargo is available but optional. We're still verifying specific Jin Air cargo fees and procedures—contact Jin Air directly for details. Cargo follows the same IATA standards as checked baggage (hard crate, water bowl, ventilation, live animal labels) but may offer more flexibility for larger animals or special circumstances.

Breed Restrictions: Know if Your Pet Can Fly

Jin Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds struggle with temperature regulation and oxygen intake at altitude.

Restricted dog breeds include: Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

Restricted cat breeds include: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.

If your pet is on this list, contact Jin Air directly to confirm whether an exception might be possible. Some airlines make rare exceptions with veterinary clearance, but don't count on it.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate for your pet, regardless of travel method. This is checked at the airport, and without it, you won't be allowed to board.

  • Get the certificate issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination country's import rules)
  • The certificate must confirm your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations (especially rabies)
  • Schedule your vet appointment early—don't wait until the week before travel

I always get Cooper's certificate 5–7 days before departure to give myself a buffer. If your vet finds any health issues, you'll have time to address them or reschedule your flight.

Important: No Sedation Allowed

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. If your vet or the airline suggests sedation, get a second opinion.

Special Cases: Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

Jin Air does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with Jin Air before booking—they may make exceptions in rare cases.

We're still verifying Jin Air's policy on animals in heat. Contact them directly if this applies to your pet.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee: 20,000 KRW one way
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 7 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45 cm L × 35 cm W × 26 cm H
  • Cabin advance booking: 24 hours minimum
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1 carrier

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

8–10 weeks before departure:

  • Confirm your pet's breed isn't restricted (or contact Jin Air if unsure)
  • Measure your pet and compare to carrier dimensions
  • Research IATA-compliant crates if using checked baggage or cargo

4–6 weeks before departure:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for health certificate (within 10 days of travel)
  • Check destination country import requirements (quarantine, permits, vaccinations)
  • Book your flight and pre-book your pet with Jin Air

2 weeks before departure:

  • Confirm your pet's booking with Jin Air
  • Prepare or purchase your carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard IATA crate for checked/cargo)
  • Order absorbent liners and live animal labels if needed

1 week before departure:

  • Visit your vet for the health certificate (get it as close to departure as possible)
  • Pack your pet's travel essentials: food, water, medications, comfort items
  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier with short practice sessions

Day before departure:

  • Double-check all documents (health certificate, booking confirmation, destination permits)
  • Confirm weather at origin and destination (check heat/cold embargoes)
  • Arrive at the airport early—pet check-in may take extra time

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist, flying with a dog guide, and brachycephalic breed flying guide. If you're comparing airlines, we have policies for Air France, British Airways, and many others.

If you're traveling to specific countries, check destination-specific requirements: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Singapore all have different import rules.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you haven't missed any requirements for your specific route and pet.

Final Thoughts

Flying with pets requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. I've moved Cooper internationally three times, and each time I've learned something new. The key is starting early, confirming policies directly with Jin Air, and never assuming anything at the airport. Your pet's safety and comfort depend on getting the details right.

If you have questions Jin Air doesn't answer clearly, ask them directly before booking. It's better to clarify now than to face surprises at the airport.

This guide is based on verified Jin Air pet policies current as of January 2025. Policies change—always confirm directly with Jin Air before booking. Data auto-verified from official airline sources.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026