Korean Air Pet Travel Policy

Flying with Your Pet on Korean Air: What You Need to Know

I've been flying with Pixel, my 7kg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, for years—and I've seen every paperwork mistake in the book at my clinic. Korean Air does allow pets to travel, but the rules are specific, and the most common mistake I see is people booking without understanding the carrier dimensions or forgetting the health certificate deadline. This guide covers everything you need to get your dog or cat on a Korean Air flight safely and legally.

Can Your Pet Fly on Korean Air?

Yes—but with conditions. Korean Air accepts both dogs and cats in the cabin and in cargo. However, certain breeds are banned, and your pet must meet age and health requirements.

• Cabin travel: Allowed for dogs and cats
• Cargo travel: Allowed for dogs and cats
• Checked baggage: Not a standard option (contact Korean Air directly for availability)
• Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet in cabin

Important breed restriction: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned on Korean Air. This includes Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats. Korean Air enforces this restriction particularly strictly during summer months due to heat sensitivity in these breeds. If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, they cannot travel on this airline—period.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin carrier dimensions: 55cm (L) × 40cm (W) × 20cm (H) maximum
• Cabin carrier weight limit: Pet + carrier = 10kg maximum
• Cabin pet fee: ~$100 USD one-way (varies by route)
• Minimum age: 16 weeks for cabin; 10 weeks for cargo
• Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
• Advance booking required: 48 hours minimum
• Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option I recommend when possible. Pixel travels in cabin with me, and she stays calm because she's nearby. Here's what Korean Air requires:

Carrier Requirements for Cabin

• Type: Soft-sided carrier only (hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat)
• Dimensions: Maximum 55cm long × 40cm wide × 20cm tall
• Weight: Pet + carrier combined must not exceed 10kg
• Ventilation: Mesh sides required for airflow
• Interior: Absorbent mat or liner (required—accidents happen)

Here's what I tell my clients: measure your carrier before you buy it. The most common mistake I see is people purchasing a carrier that's 2–3cm too large and then discovering this at check-in. Bring a measuring tape to the pet store.

Cabin Travel Eligibility

• Minimum age: 16 weeks old
• Not visibly pregnant (confirm with Korean Air if unsure)
• Not a brachycephalic breed
• Current health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
• Advance booking: 48 hours minimum before flight

Sedation: Korean Air does not require sedation, and IATA regulations prohibit it. A sedated pet cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your veterinarian and the airline.

Cabin Fees

Expect to pay approximately $100 USD one-way, though this varies by route. Always confirm the exact fee when booking, as some routes may cost more.

Cargo Travel: Shipping Your Pet Below Deck

Cargo is the option for larger pets or when cabin space isn't available. The requirements are stricter because your pet will be in a pressurized cargo hold.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo

• Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
• IATA compliance: Crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (required by IATA)
• Water bowl: Attached, external water trough that can be filled from outside
• Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate
• Live Animals label: Required on crate with orientation arrows

The most common mistake I see with cargo is people using a regular dog crate instead of an IATA-certified one. These are not the same. IATA crates have specific ventilation, structural, and safety requirements. You can find them online or at specialty pet travel retailers.

Cargo Travel Eligibility

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old (must be fully weaned)
• Not visibly pregnant
• Not a brachycephalic breed
• Current health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
• Advance booking required (contact Korean Air cargo department)
• Temperature restrictions: No travel if tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination, or drops below -6.7°C (20°F)

Sedation is prohibited. IATA regulations explicitly forbid sedating pets during air cargo transport. Your pet must be alert and able to move freely in the crate.

Health Certificate & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. I reject paperwork at my clinic every week because the health certificate is dated too early or signed by someone not licensed.

What You Need

• Health certificate: Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure
• Validity: Must be dated no more than 10 days before your flight
• Signature: Must be signed by a licensed vet (not a vet tech)
• Destination requirements: Some countries require additional import permits or certificates—check your destination's specific rules

Here's what I tell my clients: schedule your vet appointment for 5–7 days before departure, not 10 days. This gives you a buffer if there are any issues, and the certificate will still be valid. Don't wait until the last minute.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance Notice Required

• Cabin: Book at least 48 hours in advance
• Cargo: Contact Korean Air cargo department directly (timeline varies)

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Korean Air limits the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential.

What to Have Ready

• Your pet's health certificate (original)
• Booking confirmation with pet details
• Carrier (soft-sided for cabin, IATA hard-sided for cargo)
• Absorbent liner and water bowl (for cargo)
• Recent photo of your pet (helpful for identification)

Temperature Restrictions & Seasonal Travel

Korean Air will not transport pets if temperatures are extreme:

• Heat embargo: No travel if tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cold embargo: No travel if temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F)
• Summer enforcement: Brachycephalic breed restrictions are particularly strict during warm months

If you're traveling in summer or winter, check the forecast for both your origin and destination airports. If temperatures are borderline, contact Korean Air to confirm eligibility before booking.

Special Considerations

Pregnant or Animals in Heat

Korean Air does not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly to discuss options. Animals in heat status is still being verified—contact Korean Air directly.

Service Animals & ESAs

We're still verifying Korean Air's specific policies on service animals and emotional support animals. Contact the airline directly for current requirements.

Destination-Specific Rules

Some countries have additional import requirements beyond Korean Air's rules. Always check your destination country's pet import regulations. For example, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have specific quarantine and documentation requirements.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

• 8 weeks before: Confirm your pet meets age and breed requirements
• 6 weeks before: Purchase or confirm your carrier meets dimensions and type requirements
• 4 weeks before: Research destination country pet import rules
• 2 weeks before: Book your flight with Korean Air (48-hour minimum notice)
• 7 days before: Schedule vet appointment for health certificate
• 5 days before: Obtain signed health certificate from vet
• 3 days before: Confirm booking with Korean Air; prepare carrier with absorbent liner
• Day before: Pack pet supplies, confirm airport arrival time
• Day of flight: Arrive early; have all documents ready at check-in

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong carrier type: Soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for cargo only
• Oversized carrier: Measure twice; Korean Air enforces dimensions strictly
• Outdated health certificate: Must be within 10 days of departure; get it 5–7 days before
• Missing absorbent liner: Required for all travel types
• Booking too late: 48-hour minimum for cabin; cargo requires earlier notice
• Forgetting destination rules: Your destination country may have additional requirements
• Sedating your pet: Prohibited by IATA; do not do this

Comparing Travel Options

If Korean Air's restrictions don't work for your pet, check policies at other carriers. Air France, Lufthansa, and other international airlines have different rules. For more detailed comparisons, see our flying with a dog guide and flying with a cat guide.

Need Help Planning?

Pet travel paperwork can be overwhelming, especially for international flights. Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—they'll verify all destination requirements and create a step-by-step checklist for your specific route.

Last updated: April 9, 2026. This data is auto-verified from official Korean Air sources. Always confirm current policies directly with Korean Air before booking, as regulations can change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 09, 2026