In this article, we will discuss the Korean air pet policy. Before that let’s talk a bit about the details of Korean airlines. Korean Air, operating as Korean Airlines, is South Korea’s biggest airline and flag carrier on the basis of fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. Seoul, South Korea, is home to the global headquarters of this airline. The present-day Korean Air was established on March 1, 1969, and after that, Hanjin Group acquired ownership of Korean Air Lines, which had been operating since June 1962.
Pet Allowance in Korean Air
Depending on the flight, a limit of 3 pets per passenger per flight is allowed. On Boeing 737 international flights, they will not permit pets. Korean Air introduced its SkyPets Service scheme, which is a frequent flyer program for flying pets that rewards regular flying pets with either 50 percent off or absolutely free-flying opportunities. A single stamp for each domestic flight, and two for international. Redeem 6 stamps with 1/2 off domestic pet fees and 12 stamps with 1/2 off global flights. Or, for 12 (domestic) and 24 stamps, have all pet fees suspended for (international). Stamps expire in 3 years, so to take advantage of this scheme, your pet would basically need to be a frequent flyer. For the cancellation, the procedure refers to Korean Air cancellation.
Points to Remember before Traveling With Pets
All the Airlines have a different set of rules for the pets and Korean Air has its own which is very important to know before traveling with pets. Here we discuss some of these guidelines to make you aware of the policy for pets before and after traveling.
- Be sure you have to bear proper documents and vaccination certificates for your pets.
- Check and verify that your pet is allowed to travel at the destination or not. Because some countries don’t give permission to enter their borders.
- Trained your pet and make it familiar with the container so that your pet feels comfortable during the journey.
- Make sure that the container has a leaked-proof bottom so that the surrounding of the aircraft is clean and safe from the excretion of the pets.
- This is much recommendable that you check-in your flight with the help desk rather than the self-service channel.
- Make sure you have a strong base container to hold the pets which is suitable and comfortable for pets with the proper ventilation so that pets can breathe properly.
- Before check-in, you should check the eligibility of your pet that airlines allow for travel with you in the same flight in-cabin or travel separately with the cargo.
- If you already booked your ticket and make a plan to travel with the pet then you should inform the Airlines booking department or you can contact directly with the helpline number or chat online 24hours prior to the flight departure.
On-Board Rules for Pets Travel In Korean Air
If your dog or cat meets the criteria for on-board travel referred to in the Korean Air pet policy, you will need an authorized airline pet carrier. The carrier must have a bottom with waterproof material, have enough space to stand up and turn around for your pet, must fasten tightly, and have sufficient ventilation. The carrier must be able to fit in front of you underneath the seat. The carrier must be able to fit in front of you underneath the seat. For the duration of the flight, your pet must stay in the carrier. As long as there is space in the carrier, two pets of the same breed and less than 6 months of age will fly in one carrier. For check-in details go through Korean Air check-in.
Permitted pets
Tiny birds, dogs, and cats weighing less than 7 kg are accepted to fly in the Korean Air flight cabin, including their carrier. Pets must not be disruptive or unruly. Pet owners may be forced to muzzle their animals if they cause other passengers to be disturbed.
Age criteria:
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
Restrictions on Routes
Pets are unable to fly to destinations in the cabin that enable them to arrive in the cargo hold. (Australia, Hong Kong, Great Britain, etc.)
Expenses
Travel costs vary from $100 to or from Japan, China, Taiwan, Macao, and Mongolia to $200 for travel from Asia to or from the US.
Emotional Support and Pet Service
According to their rules, Korean Air will welcome service and emotional support animals on their flights. All emotional support animals will require a letter received within one year of travel by a licensed veterinarian on their letterhead indicating the need for the ESA. ESA owners can contact Korean Air before flying.
Documents required
All documentation is required for the destination country. If required, pets should travel with existing health and rabies certificates and export certificates.
Rules for Checked Pet in Korean Air
If your pet is too big to fit under the seat, if it is an animal other than a dog or cat which means some other creature, or if it is a very long flight, American can, in compliance with its regulations, hold your pet in the cargo portion of the aircraft. There is the same temperature and pressure in this portion of the cargo department as the passenger cabin.
Permitted pets:
Cats, birds, and dogs. Crate and carrier weight should not exceed 32 kg.
Path constraints:
Korean Air would not carry live animals to countries that need them to fly as air freight, such as Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, etc.
Restrictions on Aircraft
On flights operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, no live animals are permitted.
Documents required
All documentation is required for the destination country. If required, pets should travel with existing health and rabies certificates and export certificates. The health certificate should be issued within 10 days of travel or in compliance with the regulations of the destination country.
Restrictions on Temperatures
When real or expected temperatures are above 85 ° F or below 45 ° F in any city on the itinerary, pets will not be accepted. With an adjustment permit, pets can be accepted at temperatures below 50 ° F.
Expenses
Costs for animals weighing less than 32 kg vary between $10USD and $100USD depending on the road, including the crate. Costs range from $350 to $390USD depending on the path for pets weighing between 32 and 45kg including crates.
Transportation of Pets in Korean Air as Cargo
Korean Air can transport the pets as air cargo in compliance with its regulations for unaccompanied pets or those weighing between 32 and 45 kg, including crates.
Permitted Pets
Dogs, cats, and birds will be accepted by Korean Air as air cargo. On Korean Airlines flights, squirrels, hamsters, rats, moles, guinea pigs and snakes, and some other special creatures are not permitted on the flight. Weasels, some monkey species, special reptiles, hedgehogs, and other animals are accepted.
Criteria for age
The pet must be at least 4 months old and vaccinated for rabies for flights to the United States for non-commercial purposes. The pet must be at least 6 months old and completely vaccinated in the case of commercial shipments (adoption and resale). For other countries, depending on the importing country’s criteria, the minimum age is 3 months.
Documents required
It is necessary to request all appropriate import permits, rabies, and medical certificates, export permits, rabies titer tests, quarantine reservations, and other documents for the country of destination. Pets should be microchipped, and accurate documentation should be provided with the microchip number.
Expenses
Dimensional weight measures the cost of transport. For cost details, you need to contact Korean air customer support team.
Restricted breeds in Korean Air
In the cargo hold, the following snub-nosed dog breeds can not fly. Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Tibetan Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Cane Corso, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Newfoundland, the Pekingese, and related breeds. This list also includes Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pug, and Shar Pei, which can be carried in the cabin if they are small enough to comply with in-cabin regulations.
Cats: Burmese, Exotic, Persian, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Himalayan, and other varieties.
Korean Air flights do not allow the following dog breeds and their crosses in cargo because of some safety issues: Rottweiler, Mastiff, Laika, Ovtcharka, Kangal and Wolfdog, Pit Bull Terrier, and some more breeds.
Kennel requirement in Korean Air
The Korean Air request that kennels should have the following criteria in addition to the size and weight:
- The kennel should be escape-proof and leakage resistant. That means it should be double as strong as an ordinary kennel.
- The kennel should be adequately ventilated, but do not allow any part of the animal outside of the container to protrude.
- Provide the animal with enough space to stand and turn around.
- Made from metal, wood, or composite/hard plastic.
- Contain material or litter that is absorbent.
- To stop tilting and any direct interaction with the animals, have working handles on the kennel’s exterior.
- Be tightly sealed, but not locked.
- Have labels on the top of the crate and on at least one side with the words ‘Live Animal’ in letters at least 1-inch tall.
- You have upright arrow labels showing the proper location of the kennel.
For more details refer to Korean air official website
