Korea with Pets
Airline policies vary — always verify before booking

Flying to Korea with a Pet

Plan your flight, prepare your pet and arrive in Korea with confidence.

Airline pet policies can vary by airline, route, aircraft and your pet's circumstances. Check the current rules before booking and prepare your pet's travel documents and carrier in advance.

Before You Book

Before purchasing your flight, check both Korea's animal entry requirements and your operating airline's current pet transportation policy.

  • Check Korea's current animal quarantine requirements
  • Check whether your operating airline accepts your type of pet
  • Confirm whether pet transport is available on your specific flight
  • Check available transportation methods
  • Check current carrier requirements
  • Check applicable pet and carrier weight limits directly with the airline
  • Check breed, age, route and aircraft restrictions
  • Confirm whether advance reservation or approval is required
  • Check the current pet transportation fee directly with the airline

Important

A ticket for yourself does not automatically guarantee space or approval for your pet.

Pet transportation may require separate advance reservation and airline approval.

Flight Rules and Korea Entry Rules Are Different

Airline rules

  • • Pet acceptance
  • • Cabin eligibility
  • • Carrier dimensions
  • • Weight limits
  • • Aircraft restrictions
  • • Reservation
  • • Transport fee

Korea entry rules

  • • Animal quarantine
  • • Required quarantine documentation
  • • Microchip requirements where applicable
  • • Rabies-related requirements where applicable
  • • Arrival inspection

Airline approval does not replace Korea's animal quarantine requirements.

Likewise, meeting Korea's quarantine requirements does not automatically mean your airline will accept your pet on a particular flight.

Pet Quarantine in Korea

How Will Your Pet Travel?

In the Cabin

Some airlines allow eligible pets to travel in an approved carrier in the passenger cabin.

Eligibility can depend on the airline's current rules, including the pet, carrier, route and aircraft.

Checked / Hold Transport

Some airlines may accept eligible pets for transport in an appropriate aircraft hold under their own conditions.

Availability and restrictions vary.

Cargo

Some pets or travel situations may require or use cargo transportation.

Cargo procedures and eligibility can differ from passenger baggage procedures.

Not every airline, route or aircraft offers every transportation method.

Always confirm the available option for your specific flight with the operating airline.

What to Check With Your Airline

Accepted pet species
Check current airline policy
Minimum age
Check current airline policy
Cabin eligibility
Check current airline policy
Pet + carrier weight limit
Check current airline policy
Carrier dimensions
Check current airline policy
Checked / hold availability
Check current airline policy
Cargo availability
Check current airline policy
Breed restrictions
Check current airline policy
Aircraft restrictions
Check current airline policy
Route restrictions
Check current airline policy
Seasonal / weather restrictions if applicable
Check current airline policy
Reservation deadline
Check current airline policy
Required approval
Check current airline policy
Transportation fee
Check current airline policy
Required airline documents
Check current airline policy

Example only — not a Korea-wide rule

Airline policies can differ significantly. For example, Korean Air currently publishes its own eligibility, age, carrier, weight and advance reservation requirements for traveling with pets.

These are Korean Air policies, not universal Korean entry rules. Korea with Pets is not affiliated with any airline.

Korean Air — Traveling with Pets (opens an external website)

Prepare the Right Carrier

Your airline determines the exact carrier requirements for your flight.

  • Use a carrier accepted by your airline
  • Confirm the exact size and weight limits before travel
  • Make sure the carrier closes securely
  • Provide appropriate ventilation
  • Make sure your pet can remain safely inside according to the airline's rules
  • Add identification / contact information where appropriate
  • Familiarize your pet with the carrier before travel

Important

Do not buy a carrier based only on another traveler's experience. Check the current requirements of your operating airline first.

Check Pet-Specific Restrictions

Some airlines apply additional restrictions depending on breed, age, health condition, pregnancy, behavior or transportation method.

Certain short-nosed breeds may also face additional restrictions, particularly for hold or cargo transportation. Always check your operating airline's current policy.

If you have health concerns about your pet flying, consult an appropriate veterinary professional before travel.

Keep Your Documents Ready

  • Passport / traveler documents
  • Airline pet reservation or approval confirmation, if applicable
  • Korea entry / quarantine documents
  • Microchip information where applicable
  • Rabies-related documentation where applicable
  • Any additional documentation required for your circumstances

Keep important pet travel documents easily accessible during airport and arrival procedures.

Review Korea Pet Quarantine Requirements

Before You Leave for the Airport

  • Airline approval
  • Carrier ready
  • Quarantine documents
  • Pet travel documents
  • Airport / terminal information checked
  • Enough time for pet procedures

Pet travel procedures can take additional time. Arrive with enough time to complete the procedures required by your airline and the relevant authorities.

At the Airport

  1. 01Arrive at airport
  2. 02Airline check-in / pet procedures
  3. 03Document checks as applicable
  4. 04Security / departure procedures
  5. 05Board your flight

Airport and airline procedures can differ by departure airport. Follow the instructions of your airline and the relevant airport or quarantine authority.

You Landed in Korea — What's Next?

  1. 01Land
  2. 02Animal quarantine
  3. 03Arrival procedures
  4. 04Welcome to Korea
  5. 05Start your pet-friendly trip

After landing, follow the applicable animal quarantine and arrival procedures before starting your trip in Korea.

Arriving at Incheon International Airport

Incheon International Airport provides official guidance for travelers entering Korea with pets.

For dogs and cats arriving from abroad, travelers must follow Korea's animal quarantine procedures and present the required quarantine certificate before passing through customs.

Incheon Airport — Traveling with Pets (opens an external website)Pet Quarantine in Korea

Your Korea Adventure Starts Here

Once the arrival procedures are complete, start discovering pet-friendly places across Korea.

What Do You Want to Do Together?

Continue Your Pet Travel Journey

Check Before You Fly

Airline and animal-entry policies can change. Always verify the current requirements for your specific flight and pet before departure. Use your airline's official website or customer service to confirm current pet transportation rules.

Source & policy notice — Korea with Pets is an independent travel information service. Airline policies and animal-entry requirements can change and may vary by airline, route, aircraft and individual circumstances. Always verify the latest requirements directly with your operating airline and the relevant Korean authorities before travel.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Airline pet policies can change at any time. Confirm the rules for your specific flight with your operating airline before departure.