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Korean Air: flying with a dog

✈ SkyTeam📍 South Korea · ICN✓ Verified 11 Jul 2026
★ Moderate 4.4/5
87/100 · MyDogCanFly score

Pets in the cabin (≤ 7 kg) or hold (≤ 45 kg) on most routes — but advance approval and strict breed rules.

MyDogCanFly is not affiliated with Korean Air. The logo is shown for identification only. We do not sell tickets and take no bookings.

⚖️ Where does your dog travel?

Cabin≤ 7 kg
Hold≤ 45 kg
Cargofreighter

Weight includes the carrier or kennel.

🐾 CabinAllowed
Dogs, cats & birds (min 8 weeks) ≤ 7 kg incl. carrier under the seat (max 32 × 45 × 19 cm); one per passenger.
$150–300
🧳 HoldAllowed
Dogs & cats (min 16 weeks) up to 45 kg incl. carrier in a ventilated hold. Not on B737/A321 international or domestic Jun–Sep.
$150–600
✈️ Specialized-LIVEVia agent
Freighter live-animal service (KE routes) via a specialist, ~10–14 days ahead. Snub-nosed breeds barred.
Quote

💶 Fares

Cabin (short → long-haul)$150–300
Hold ≤ 32 kg$150–300
Hold 33–45 kg$300–600
Service dogFree

USD one-way from Korea; 30,000–60,000 KRW domestic. ✓ Official source

⚠️ Key restrictions

🐶 Flat-faced breeds
Cabin possibleHold/cargo forbidden
Snub-nosed breeds can't travel in the hold or cargo — cabin only if within limits: Boston terrier, boxer, bulldog, Brussels Griffon, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, American Bully, chow chow, Cane Corso, pug, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, and Burmese/British Shorthair/Scottish Fold/Exotic/Persian/Himalayan cats — plus Newfoundland, Dogo Argentino, Lhasa Apso.
🚫 Banned breeds
Not acceptedNo sedation
Not accepted at all: Tosa, pit bull types (incl. Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire, Staffordshire), Rottweiler, mastiffs, Laika, Ovcharka, Kangal, wolfdogs — and mixes. Sedated or pregnant pets are refused.

🐶 Check whether your dog is snub-nosed

Korean Air refuses brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in the hold. What the airline itself wrote is in the restrictions above — that text alone says which breeds it turns away.

These 22 breeds are MyDogCanFly's own brachycephalic classification, heaviest first — it is not the list published by Korean Air. Use it to situate your dog, then read the airline's own wording above and confirm with it before booking.

🌡️ Temperature & hold

Adverse above 29 °C / below −7 °CNo hold Jun–Sep (domestic)

Korean Air warns that temperatures above 29 °C (84 °F) or below −7 °C (19 °F) can harm pets; checked-pet hold transport is restricted in the warm season (Jun–Sep) on domestic flights. The hold has controlled ventilation, temperature and lighting.

📦 Check your crate size for this airline →

🦮 Assistance dog

In the cabin
Trained service dogs (min 16 weeks, max 2) travel free in the cabin, harnessed, no carrier.
📄 Documents
Request in advance and select a pet-designated seat. US: CDC Dog Import Form, dogs 6 months+.

ℹ️ Good to know

⏱️ Advance approvalRequest the pet service ≥ 48 h (international) / 24 h (domestic) ahead; approval required, fare recalculated on the day by measured weight.
🚫 Excluded destinationsNew Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and the UK don't accept pets in cabin or hold.
🐾 SKYPETSThe pet fare can be paid by card or miles — or free with SKYPETS points.

🗺️ Where Korean Air flies with dogs

Main hubs

Flying with a dog on Korean Air: common questions

Can my dog travel in the cabin on Korean Air?

Korean Air — Allowed. Dogs, cats & birds (min 8 weeks) ≤ 7 kg incl. carrier under the seat (max 32 × 45 × 19 cm); one per passenger. Fare: $150–300.

Does Korean Air carry dogs in the hold?

Hold — Allowed. Dogs & cats (min 16 weeks) up to 45 kg incl. carrier in a ventilated hold. Not on B737/A321 international or domestic Jun–Sep.

Does Korean Air accept flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds?

Korean Air — Cabin possible · Hold/cargo forbidden. Snub-nosed breeds can't travel in the hold or cargo — cabin only if within limits: Boston terrier, boxer, bulldog, Brussels Griffon, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, American Bully, chow chow, Cane Corso, pug, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, and Burmese/British Shorthair/Scot…

Does Korean Air suspend dog transport in hot weather?

Korean Air warns that temperatures above 29 °C (84 °F) or below −7 °C (19 °F) can harm pets; checked-pet hold transport is restricted in the warm season (Jun–Sep) on domestic flights. The hold has controlled ventilation, temperature and lighting.

Are assistance dogs accepted on Korean Air?

Korean Air — In the cabin. Trained service dogs (min 16 weeks, max 2) travel free in the cabin, harnessed, no carrier.

Answers drawn from Korean Air's published conditions, last verified 11 July 2026. Airline conditions are commercial and can change — confirm at booking.

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🛡️ Official source4 Korean Air & Cargo sources · last verified 11 July 2026

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