Korean Air Pet Policy for Dogs in 2026
What dog owners should know about Korean Air’s current pet transport rules, cargo process, breed restrictions, and booking requirements.
Korean Air Pet Policy Overview
Korean Air’s current public pet information is primarily published through Korean Air Cargo pages and related Korean Air materials. For dogs, the airline publicly emphasizes cargo/live-animal handling, breed restrictions, documentation, and advance coordination rather than a flat published passenger pet fee table on its main English pet page.
Korean Air’s official English cargo pages provide the clearest current public guidance for dog transport. They state that snub-nosed breeds are restricted for safety, cargo pricing varies, and customers should coordinate in advance because quarantine requirements and required paperwork differ by country. If you are trying to travel with a dog on the same itinerary, contact Korean Air directly before ticketing to confirm whether your route, aircraft, and destination accept pets and what charges apply.
Last updated: 2026-03-25
How to Book Your Dog on Korean Air
Book your own itinerary first, then contact Korean Air before finalizing pet plans. Korean Air’s public guidance indicates pet acceptance depends on route, aircraft, and destination rules.
Confirm whether your dog can travel on your itinerary at all. Korean Air publicly restricts listed brachycephalic dogs, and some live animals are not accepted on passenger flights.
Ask whether your dog will travel as accompanied pet transport or as cargo. Korean Air’s current English public pages emphasize cargo/live-animal handling rather than a simple online add-on flow.
Provide your dog’s breed, age, weight, and crate dimensions. Korean Air Cargo states rates and acceptance depend on animal type, branch, and crate suitability.
Verify import, export, and quarantine paperwork for every country on the itinerary. Korean Air specifically advises customers to check quarantine restrictions and prepare required documents in advance.
Use an IATA-compliant crate with enough room for your dog to stand and move comfortably. Korean Air’s cargo guidance says crate suitability is checked before acceptance.
If shipping through cargo, request a reservation before forwarding the animal. Korean Air Cargo FAQ explicitly says customers should make a reservation before sending a dog because quarantine restrictions and documents differ by country.
Reconfirm timing with Korean Air or the cargo office at origin. Bring all health, vaccination, and destination-entry paperwork required by the countries involved.
If your dog is entering South Korea, review Korean quarantine procedures ahead of time. Korean Air points customers to Korean quarantine authorities and notes that customs-clearance arrangements may be needed.
On departure day, arrive early and follow Korean Air staff instructions for live-animal acceptance, document review, and crate inspection.
Korean Air vs Other Airlines
| Feature | Korean Air | Asiana Airlines | Air Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Cabin Fee | Not clearly published on current official English pet page | KRW 140,000 / USD 140 on Korea–Japan/China/Taiwan/Hong Kong routes for pets up to 32 kg including cage | Not listed in the source used here; confirm by route on Air Canada’s pet page |
| Cargo Fee | Varies by animal species or sales branch | KRW 290,000 / USD 290 on Korea–Japan/China/Taiwan/Hong Kong routes for 32–45 kg including cage | Within Canada/Canada-U.S. CA/US $105–$126; International CA/US $270–$324 for baggage-compartment pet travel |
| Weight Limit | No single public passenger limit found on current English page; cargo billed by actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater | In-cabin up to 7 kg including cage; checked up to 45 kg including carrier | Up to 45 kg (100 lb) including pet and kennel in baggage compartment |
| Carrier Size | Not clearly published on current official English pet page | In-cabin carrier up to 21 x 32 x 45 cm; soft carrier may be up to 26 cm high if compressible to 21 cm | Baggage-compartment kennel up to 292 cm / 115 in linear dimensions; in-cabin size varies by aircraft |
| Breeds Restricted | Yes, listed brachycephalic/snub-nosed dogs are prohibited | Yes, short-nosed animals are not accepted as checked transport | Yes, some breeds face baggage-compartment restrictions; see airline rules |
| Booking Method | Advance contact/reservation required; confirm with Korean Air or cargo office | Reservation deadline: 24 hours before domestic departure, 48 hours before international departure | Book your flight first, then contact Air Canada Reservations to register the pet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Korean Air?
Korean Air’s current English public pages do not clearly publish a simple in-cabin dog policy with fee and carrier-size details. Contact Korean Air directly to confirm whether your route and aircraft allow in-cabin pet travel.
Does Korean Air allow dogs as checked baggage?
Korean Air’s current public English guidance focuses on live-animal cargo handling. Availability for accompanied dog transport depends on route, aircraft, destination rules, and the dog’s breed and crate.
Are snub-nosed dogs allowed on Korean Air?
No. Korean Air publicly lists many brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog breeds as restricted from transport for safety reasons, including Pug, Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, and others.
How much does Korean Air charge to fly with a dog?
Korean Air does not clearly publish a flat current dog fee on the official English pages reviewed here. For cargo, the airline says rates vary by animal species or sales branch, so you need a direct quote.
How is Korean Air cargo pricing calculated for dogs?
Korean Air says live-animal cargo is priced using the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as length × width × height in centimeters divided by 6000.
What documents do I need to fly my dog on Korean Air?
Requirements depend on the countries involved. Korean Air advises customers to check quarantine restrictions and prepare required documents in advance. Relevant documents can include vaccination, health, import, export, and quarantine paperwork.
Can I ship a puppy on Korean Air?
Korean Air Cargo FAQ says the airline does not carry puppies less than 90 days old in principle.
How far in advance should I contact Korean Air about my dog?
As early as possible. Korean Air Cargo says you should make a reservation before forwarding your animal because quarantine restrictions and required documents vary by country.