Flying with Pets on T'way Air: What You Need to Know

I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I've learned that getting the airline rules right from the start saves enormous stress at the airport. T'way Air does allow pets to travel with you, but there are specific requirements you need to follow. This guide breaks down exactly what T'way Air requires for dogs, cats, and other pets.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: 30,000 KRW (one-way)
  • Max cabin carrier weight (pet + carrier): 9 kg
  • Max cabin carrier dimensions: 45 cm (L) × 37 cm (W) × 26 cm (H)
  • Minimum pet age for cabin: 8 weeks
  • Minimum pet age for cargo/checked baggage: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Advance booking required: At least 24 hours before departure

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

T'way Air allows both dogs and cats in the cabin with you. This is the option I always choose for Cooper when possible—having him nearby is reassuring for both of us, and it's generally less stressful for the pet.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

Your pet must travel in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:

  • Length: Maximum 45 cm (18 inches)
  • Width: Maximum 37 cm (11 inches)
  • Height: Maximum 26 cm (11 inches)
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): Maximum 9 kg

The carrier must have mesh ventilation on the sides so your pet can breathe comfortably. You'll also need to line the carrier with an absorbent mat or pad to manage any accidents during the flight.

Pro tip: When I fly with Cooper, I use a soft-sided carrier with removable, washable liners. It's saved me more than once during turbulence or unexpected delays.

Cabin Travel Fees

T'way Air charges 30,000 KRW per pet, one-way. This fee applies whether you're traveling with a cat, small dog, or other cabin-approved pet. You'll need to add this to your ticket cost.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before cabin travel. Younger animals are not permitted.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds

T'way Air restricts certain 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
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Cane Corsos
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Presa Canarios
  • Brussels Griffons
  • King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • English Toy Spaniels
  • American Bullies

If your dog is one of these breeds, contact T'way Air directly before booking to confirm whether your specific dog can travel. Some airlines make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Other Cabin Restrictions

  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted. If your pet is visibly pregnant, you cannot fly.
  • Sedation: Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies.
  • Maximum one pet per passenger: You can bring one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin.
  • Advance booking required: You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement.

Cargo and Checked Baggage Travel

T'way Air allows pets to travel in cargo or checked baggage, though this is optional. I've used cargo shipping for Cooper on longer international moves, and while it requires more preparation, it works well for larger dogs that don't fit cabin weight limits.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo/Checked Baggage

Cargo and checked baggage travel requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate—not a soft-sided carrier. Your crate must have:

  • Hard-sided construction (plastic or metal)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA standards
  • 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 crate

Age and Temperature Requirements

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Cold embargo: T'way Air will not accept pets if temperatures at origin or destination fall below −6.7°C (20°F). A vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow travel in colder conditions.
  • Heat embargo: Pets cannot travel if tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination.

Important: When I shipped Cooper to Asia, I had to plan around summer heat embargoes. Check the weather forecast for your travel dates and contact T'way Air to confirm your specific route is available.

Breed Restrictions for Cargo

The same brachycephalic breed restrictions apply to cargo travel. Confirm with T'way Air if your breed is restricted.

Health Certificates and Documentation

This is non-negotiable: you must have a vet-issued health certificate for any pet traveling on T'way Air, whether in cabin, cargo, or checked baggage.

Health Certificate Requirements

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian
  • Valid for 10 days before departure (some destinations require 7 days, so get it as close to departure as possible)
  • Must confirm your pet is fit to fly and free from infectious diseases
  • Required at airport check-in—you will not be allowed to board without it

Schedule your vet appointment at least 2 weeks before travel. Your vet may need time to order specific forms or conduct health checks. I always get Cooper's certificate 5 days before departure to be safe.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

6-8 Weeks Before Travel

  • Check if your pet's breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list
  • If restricted, contact T'way Air to confirm your pet can travel
  • Verify your pet meets the minimum age requirement (8 weeks for cabin, 10 weeks for cargo)
  • If traveling to a specific country, check that country's pet import requirements

4 Weeks Before Travel

  • Purchase or confirm you have the correct carrier:
    • Soft-sided for cabin (max 45×37×26 cm, 9 kg total)
    • Hard-sided IATA crate for cargo/checked baggage
  • If using cargo, ensure the crate has water bowl, ventilation, and "Live Animals" labels
  • Add absorbent liners to the carrier
  • Let your pet practice spending time in the carrier

2 Weeks Before Travel

  • Schedule a vet appointment for the health certificate
  • Discuss any concerns about flight stress with your vet
  • Confirm T'way Air's booking process and contact details

1 Week Before Travel

  • Get the health certificate from your vet (within 10 days of departure)
  • Book your pet with T'way Air (at least 24 hours in advance)
  • Confirm the pet fee (30,000 KRW for cabin) is added to your booking
  • Check weather forecasts for your origin and destination (heat/cold embargoes)
  • Prepare a travel kit: food, water, bowls, medications, comfort items

Day of Travel

  • Bring the health certificate to the airport
  • Arrive early to allow time for pet check-in
  • Keep your pet calm and hydrated before boarding
  • For cabin travel, have your pet in the carrier before boarding

Special Considerations

Service Dogs

We're still verifying T'way Air's specific service dog policy—contact them directly. Industry standard allows certified service dogs to travel at the handler's feet without a carrier, but confirmation is essential.

Multiple Pets

You can bring one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin. If you're traveling with multiple pets, you'll need multiple passengers or must use cargo/checked baggage for additional pets.

International Travel

If you're flying to another country, your pet may need additional documentation beyond T'way Air's requirements. Check the import rules for your destination country. For example, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia all have specific pet import requirements.

Connecting Flights

If you're connecting through another airline, that airline's pet policy will also apply to the second leg. Verify policies for all airlines on your itinerary.

Comparing T'way Air to Other Airlines

T'way Air's cabin fee of 30,000 KRW is competitive. For comparison, check policies from Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and other carriers on your route. Cargo pricing varies widely depending on weight and distance.

Getting Help

For questions not covered here, contact T'way Air directly before booking. Ask specifically about:

  • Your pet's breed (if brachycephalic)
  • Exact booking process for pets
  • Whether your destination has temperature embargoes on your travel dates
  • Any additional documentation required for your destination country

I recommend also reading our flying with a dog guide, documents checklist, and cost guide for broader context on pet air travel.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet travel details in one place.

Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on T'way Air's official policies as of the verification date. Policies change—always confirm directly with T'way Air before booking. Pet travel regulations are complex and vary by destination; consult your veterinarian and destination country authorities for complete requirements.

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