7 kg (cabin, dog + carrier combined)
Airline dog policy
Korean Air
Korean Air allows dogs in the cabin on many domestic and international routes, with a relatively strict 7 kg combined weight limit. The airline is based at Seoul Incheon (ICN) and provides excellent East Asian connectivity, making it valuable for pet transport between South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America. Korean Air's cargo division also handles live animal shipments for larger dogs or routes where cabin travel is not available.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
Reserve your pet at least 24 hours before departure through Korean Air's reservation centre. The 7 kg cabin weight limit is lower than most European carriers (typically 8 kg), so weigh your dog with its carrier before booking. Korean Air requires a rigid carrier for cabin travel on some routes — check requirements when booking. For travel to or from South Korea, ensure your dog has an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, and FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) as required by South Korea's APQA.
Why it can work
Korean Air provides one of the few cabin pet options for flights between North America and East Asia. The airline's ICN hub has modern cargo facilities and efficient animal handling procedures. For dog owners moving to South Korea, Korean Air's ground staff are familiar with APQA import documentation requirements. The airline's SkyTeam alliance membership enables connections across a wide partner network.
Restrictions
Brachycephalic breeds are restricted from hold and cargo transport. Pets are not accepted in Prestige (Business) Class or First Class. Maximum one carrier per passenger. The 7 kg cabin limit is strict. Some international routes may not accept cabin pets — confirm when booking. Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old.
Dog-owner notes
South Korea requires 3 days advance notification to APQA for pet imports, along with an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, and FAVN titer test. Korean Air's cargo service can be contacted for larger animal shipments. For connecting flights, verify that your connecting carrier also accepts pets. Korean Air customer service: +82-2-2656-2001.
Final check before paying
Confirm the exact aircraft, route, dog breed, carrier size, temperature rules and destination import law directly with the airline. A country can allow dogs while a specific airline or aircraft refuses them.