Asiana Airlines Pet Policy

Asiana Airlines pet policy allows cats, dogs, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin, subject to certain conditions. Pets are also allowed to travel as checked baggage (in the hold) and as air cargo. Service dogs are allowed to travel free of charge in the cabin with their owners. 

To be eligible for travel, your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. Pet reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. 

Asiana Airlines Pet Policy—In-Cabin Pets

What is Asiana Airlines pet travel policy for in-cabin pets?

Asiana Airlines allows cats, small dogs, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin if the combined weight of your pet and its carrier does not exceed 15.4lb/7kg. The pet must remain inside the carrier under your front seat throughout the journey.

• Pets Allowed. Small cats, small dogs, and household birds. 
• Maximum Weight. 15.4lb/7kg (incl. pet carrier). 
• Pet Age. Minimum 8 weeks and fully weaned.
• Pet Reservations
  • Contact Asiana Airlines at least 24 hours in advance to book your pet.
  • Call or your local Asiana Airlines office.
• Check-in
  • You must check in with your pet at the check-in counter and pay for your pet’s carriage. 
  • Your pet carrier will count as one piece of carry-on baggage.
• Forms Required
  • Export permits and quarantine certificates, if required. 
  • Vaccination certificates, if required.
  • Pet passport, if required.
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Must be IATA-compliant. 
  • The combined linear dimensions of your pet carrier (L + W + H) must not exceed 115cm/45in. 
  • The height of your pet carrier must not exceed:
    • 21cm/8in for hard-sided carriers. 
    • 26cm/10in for soft carriers.
  • The pet carrier must:
    • Have a waterproof bottom.
    • Be spacious enough for your pet to stand upright, turn around, and lie down in. 
    • Have be adequately ventilated.
  • The pet carrier can only contain 1 pet unless you’re travelling with 2 kittens or 2 puppies below 6 months old. A bird and her chick are also allowed in a single carrier.
  • The pet carrier should be made of fabric or leather, as long as its framework to prevent itself from collapsing when left standing. 
• Pet Restrictions
  • Pets will not be accepted on flights if the regulations of the destination city/country do not permit them, such as the United Kingdom.
  • Pets must always remain inside their carriers at all times. 
  • Pets travelling on Business Class and Business Suite seats cannot place their pet carriers under the seat due to safety regulations. They must place the pet carriers (with the flight attendant’s guidance) in another area during take-off and landing.
  • You must occupy the designated seat when travelling with a pet. 

Asiana Airlines Pet Policy—Pets as Checked Baggage

If your pet’s size exceeds the cabin baggage limits in terms of weight (15.4lb/7kg) or size, you can travel with it as checked baggage in the aircraft’s cargo hold section. The pressure and temperature are the same as that in the passenger cabin. 

The maximum number of pets allowed as checked baggage in the aircraft hold will depend on the type of aircraft you’re flying on and your route. 

• Pets Allowed. Cats, dogs, and birds. 
• Maximum Weight. The pet weight (incl. cage) must not exceed 99lb/45kg.
• Age Requirements
  • Cats and dogs must be 8 weeks or older and fully weaned.
  • Pets flying from/to the United States must be at least 90 days old.
• Pet Reservations
  • Call or your local Asiana Airlines office at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure time to book your pet.
  • The number of pets allowed will depend on your aircraft and route.
• Check-in
  • Check in at the airport counter at least 2 hours before departure. 
  • You will be required to pay the pet fee at the check-in counter. 
  • Feed and water your pet up to 4 hours before check-in.
  • Provide adequate water and food for the flight’s duration.
• Forms Required
  • A health certificate issued within 10 days of departure by a licensed vet.
  • Quarantine and vaccination certificates, if required.
  • Pet passport, if required.
  • Any other documentation required by the destination country.
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Must be IATA-compliant. 
  • The combined weight of the pet (incl. carrier) must not exceed 99lb/45kg. 
  • The combined linear dimensions (L + W + H) must not exceed 285cm/112in and the height must not exceed 84cm/33in.
  • The pet carrier must:
    • Have enough room for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in. 
    • Be adequately ventilated.
    • Only 1 cat or dog aged 6 months or more is allowed inside a single pet carrier.
      Exemption. 2 kittens or pups under 6 months of age are exempt. Only animals known to each other and of the same species and sex are permitted inside a pet carrier.
    • The metal, plastic, or wooden pet carrier must be sturdy and should have a solid bottom. The doors of the pet carrier should bear spring locks to prevent the pet from opening them. Bird crates should have a protective woven cheesecloth-like covering over the ventilation and door for privacy. 
• Pet Restrictions
  • Pregnant, ferocious, and foul-smelling animals will not be accepted.
  • Breed Restrictions. Refer to the section titled Breed Restrictions below.
  • Route Restrictions. Pets will not be accepted on flights if the regulations of the destination city/country do not permit them, such as the United Kingdom.
  • Temperature Restrictions. Pets will be refused entry as checked baggage (or air cargo) if the temperature (actual/forecasted) is more than 85°F (29.4°C) or less than 45°F (7.2°C) in any city on the travel itinerary. 

Asiana Airlines Pet Policy—Pets as Air Cargo

If your pet is too large or weighs more than 99lb/45kg, you have the option to transport it as air cargo baggage. 

• Pets Allowed. Cats and dogs, as long as they are not pregnant or nursing their litter. Asiana Airlines does not accept other pets, such as primates, pigs, snakes, or rodents such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas, squirrels, rabbits, beavers, and moles.
• Pet Age
  • Must be at least 90 days old to be transported as air cargo. 
  • The minimum age for travel to/from the United States is 8 weeks. 
  • Water and food should be provided for cats and dogs between 8 – 16 weeks old, along with a note displayed on the pet carrier that it be fed and watered within 12 hours. 
• Pet Reservations
  • You must book your pet through an authorized agent 10 – 14 days before departure. 
• Forms Required
  • Airway Bill/shipper’s certificate. 
  • A quarantine certificate with:
    • Rabies test results 
    • A microchip number 
  • Administration of rabies vaccination (with certificate) within 30 days before transportation date. 
  • If required, an import permit issued by the destination country’s agency before transportation.
• Check-In
  • You must check in your pet at the airline’s cargo facility in the departure airport at least 4 hours before departure. 
  • You must pay for your pet’s transport at the time of checking in your pet. 
• Restrictions
  • Breed Restrictions. Refer to the list of banned breeds in the section below.
  • Temperature Restrictions. Refer to the section above under the same sub-heading. 
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • If your dog (excluding the pet carrier) weighs more than 66lb/30kg, you must seek approval from Asiana Cargo prior to departure. 
  • Dogs weighing more than 66lb/30kg (excluding the pet carrier) and/or aggressive dogs must be transported in a sturdy metal or wooden crate. 
  • All pet carriers for dogs should be cross-banded straps or ropes. 
  • All pet carriers/crates must bear a Live Animal label.
  • Only 1 cat or dog is allowed in a pet carrier/crate. 

Exceptions. 2 similar-sized adult dogs weighing less than 30.8lb/14kg each are allowed to be transported in one crate. No more than 3 dogs of the same litter aged less than 6 months are allowed in a single pet carrier/crate. 

Pet Carrier Requirements

Your pet carrier must comply with the following conditions: 

• Pet carriers must have a sealed floor and equipped with a lock.
• Must be spacious enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, lie down, and move around in. 
• Birdcages must be covered with a sheet to prevent exposure to sunlight during the flight. 
• Pet carriers and bird cages must be made of sturdy metal, plastic, or wood. 
• Birdcages for in-cabin pets must be made of leather or fabric and have a sturdy frame to maintain their shape.
• Only 1 bird is allowed inside a single cage. However, 2 kittens/2 puppies below 6 months of age, or a pair of birds, are exempt.
  

How to Make Pet Reservations 

• Step 1. Obtain approval from the airline
  • Contact Asiana Airlines at least 24 hours before departure on working days to confirm that your pet is eligible to travel. 
  • Call Asiana Airlines Reservation Center:
    • In the United States:  
    • In Korea: 1588-8000
    • In China: (86)-400-650-8000
    • In Japan: (81)-3-5812-6600)
    • Other areas without a reservation center: Local office
• Step 2. Prepare the quarantine documents (if required)
  • Check whether your pet can travel in the cabin. 
  • Ask the destination country’s embassy if you need to prepare for quarantine. 
  • If required, prepare the quarantine documents. 
  • If travelling to the Republic of Korea from another country, visit the website of Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. 
• Step 3. Go to the airport. 
  • Ensure your pet’s carrier complies with the regulations.
  • Reach the airport a little early to complete the check-in procedures. 
• Step 4. Obtain the quarantine certificate
  • Submit the vaccination certificate for rabies along with your pet’s medical report to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency at the airport and collect the quarantine certificate.
  • The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency at Incheon Airport (032-740-2660~2) and Gimpo Airport (02-2664-0601) is open from 9am to 6pm. If you have an early morning or a late-night flight, plan accordingly. 
• Step 5. Complete the check-in procedure
  • Your pet will be weighed, its eligibility for travelling in the cabin (or in the hold) will be confirmed. 
  • You will pay the pet fee. 

Note. Pets (incl. pet carriers) are not a part of your free baggage allowance. You must pay for your pet separately, regardless of your free cabin or checked baggage allowance. 

Banned Breeds 

• Prohibited Dog Breeds
  • Wolfdogs and their mixed breed
  • Tosa dogs and their crossbreeds
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their crossbreeds
  • Rottweilers and their crossbreeds
  • Ovtcharkas and their mixed breeds
  • Miniature Bull Terriers and their mixed breeds
  • Mastiffs and their mixed breeds
  • Laika and its mixed breed
  • Kangal and its mixed breed
  • American Staffordshire Terriers and their crossbreeds
  • American Pitbull Terriers and their crossbreeds
  • American bully, Cane Corso, and their mixed breeds
• Snub-Nosed Dog Breeds Not Allowed
  The following snub-nosed dog breeds will not be accepted due to health and safety reasons:
  • Spaniel (Tibetan, King Charles Spaniel, English Toy)
  • Shih Tzu
  • Shar Pei
  • Pug
  • Presa Canario
  • Pekingese
  • Mastiff
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Japanese Chin
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Chow Chow
  • Chihuahua
  • Cane Corso
  • Bulldog
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Boxer
  • Boston Terrier
  • Affenpinscher
• Snub-Nosed Cat Breeds Not Allowed
  The following snub-nosed cat breeds will not be accepted due to health and safety reasons:
  • Silver Chinchilla
  • Scottish Fold
  • Persian
  • Himalayan
  • Exotic
  • Burmese
  • British Shorthair

Note. Air Busan codeshare flights are not directly operated by Asiana Airlines, and are thus unable to provide pet checking services.

Asiana Airlines Pet Fees

Travelling with Service Dogs on Asiana Airlines

Visually or hearing-impaired passengers can travel with service dogs free of cost in the passenger cabin, as long as they meet the conditions below:

• The service dog must have received an ID tag from an accredited institution.
• The service dog must comply with the quarantine requirements. 
• The service dog’s food preparation cost must be borne by the passenger.
• The service dog must be harnessed/leashed at all times. 
• The service dog must remain seated at the passenger’s feet during the entire flight. 

Service Animal Regulations for Passengers Travelling to/from the United States

If you’re travelling with a service animal (only dogs) to or from the United States, you must comply with the U.S. DOT regulations below.

The service animal:

• Must be a dog who is at least 16 weeks old. 
• Must travel with the sole objective of providing assistance to the passenger. 
• Must be harnessed/leashed at all times. 
• Must be well-behaved and under the passenger’s control at all times. 
• Must remain at the passenger’s feet throughout the journey and must not intrude into other passengers’ space. 
• Must not be let loose to wander in the aisle space.

Each passenger is allowed up to 2 service dogs. Passengers travelling with service dogs may be denied boarding if:

• The service dog’s behavior reflects improper training. 
• The service dog is prone to excessive barking, or if it defecates inside the aircraft or in the boarding area.
• They do not reserve at least 48 hours before departure (working days). 
• They do not fill out and submit the U.S. DOT Service Animal Transportation Form and/or the U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form at the airport of departure.

 If you need to book your service dog or require any assistance, Call us or the local Asiana Airlines office in your city/country.