Korean Air (KE) is one of the most pet-friendly major Asian carriers, with cabin and cargo programs that work well across their global network. The single decision that defines your trip is the temperature window — KE's heat embargo is strict and seasonal, particularly out of Seoul Incheon during the summer. Cooper has flown Korean Air twice with me — once from JFK and once from LAX to ICN — and both times the cabin handling was the smoothest of any Asian carrier.
KE's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How KE treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cabin | 94% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 91% | |
| Pets per passenger | 1 per passenger | 94% | |
| One-way fee | 150 USD | 85% |
Hold policy
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 weeks old | 85% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 85% | |
| Pets per passenger | 1 per passenger | 95% |
Korean Air requires confirmation of pet transportation at least 48 hours before international flights and 24 hours before domestic flights. The 48-hour cutoff is strict for international departures, and last-minute additions within that window are not accepted, even on routes with available cabin and cargo capacity. Confirm the booking and receive written confirmation outside the cutoff to lock the slot.
Korean Air imposes a temperature embargo on pet cargo when temperatures exceed 29 degrees Celsius (84°F) or fall below -7 degrees Celsius (19°F) at any airport on the route. Summer flights out of Seoul Incheon, Bangkok, and Singapore are routinely affected by the heat ceiling. Winter flights into Anchorage and Northern European airports can hit the cold floor. Check the temperature embargo before booking peak season routes.
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on KE?
- KE allows 1 in the cabin, up to 2 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on KE?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, KE charges from 150 USD in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on KE?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Korean Air charges 150 USD per leg for cabin pet travel on Asian flights, with rates varying by route classification — intercontinental flights to North America and Europe carry higher fees. The fee is per pet per leg and is collected at booking through the special services line, not the online system. Budget the fee separately from the passenger ticket for multi-leg journeys.
For Korean Air: book the cabin pet slot at least 48 hours before international flights through the special services line, confirm temperature ranges at every airport on the route (the 29°C heat embargo applies to all airports on the routing), and budget around 150 USD per leg for Asian destinations. Build your plan against your departure date in Pawgo before booking — it confirms cabin capacity and flags heat embargo risk for your specific KE flight.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.