When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Asiana Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Asiana Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Asiana Airlines? All your answers related to Asiana Airlines pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Asiana Airlines based?
Asiana Airlines is based out of Incheon International Airport (IATA: ICN) for international flights and Gimpo International Airport (IATA: GMP) for domestic flights, both in Seoul, South Korea. Most layovers within Asiana Airlines’ network will occur in these airports.
What countries does Asiana Airlines fly to?
Asiana Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Asiana Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Asiana Airlines’ pet policy to fly in the cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets allowed flown by Asiana Airlines in the cabin
Domesticated dogs, cats and household birds can be flown in the cabin on most of Asiana Airlines’ routes. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet must be made a minimum of 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and 48 hours prior to departure for international flights. Reservation Center: In Korea: 1588-8000, The U.S: (1)-800-227-4262, China: (86)-400-650-8000, Japan: (81)-3-5812-6600). If your origination country is not listed here, then contact the local branch at the departure airport.
Age requirements
All pets flying in the cabin must be at least 8 weeks of age and weaned to fly domestically. To fly internationally, the pet import requirements of your destination country will affect this minimum age.
Maximum weight of a pet including its carrier is 15.4 lbs. (7 kg).
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) or four sides (international).
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably.
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier.
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad.
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended).
- Have a frame structure that will maintain the shape of the carrier.
- Have your pet’s name and your name and contact information attached.
Maximum carrier measurements (L+W+H) is not to exceed 45″ (115 cm). The maximum height of a soft-sided carrier can be 10″ (26 cm) if the carrier will compress to 8″ (21 cm). One pet is permitted per carrier with the exception of 2 puppies or 2 kittens under the age of 6 months, or a pair of birds which may occupy the same carrier if there is adequate room for them.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Proof of rabies vaccination for pets older than 3 months and a health certificate is required. All permits, tests and treatments required by the destination or layover country must be available at check in.
Route restrictions
Pets are not permitted to fly in the cabin to the United Kingdom. Pets are also not permitted to fly in Business Class.
Check in
Pets should arrive at the airport ticket counter with their pet in its carrier earlier than normally required as your pet will need to be checked in. Pets arriving without a reservation will not be permitted to board.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
Pet carriers are not included in the free baggage allowance.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by an accredited institution that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. Passengers flying with a service dog should provide notice to Asiana Airlines’ reservation center at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Asiana Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Asiana if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by Asiana Airlines as checked baggage
Domesticated dogs, cats and household birds can be flown in the cabin on most of Asiana Airlines’ routes. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet must be made a minimum of 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and 48 hours prior to departure for international flights. Reservation Center: In Korea: 1588-8000, The U.S: (1)-800-227-4262, China: (86)-400-650-8000, Japan: (81)-3-5812-6600). If your origination country is not listed here, then contact the local branch at the departure airport.
Age/Weight requirements
All pets flying as checked baggage must be at least 8 weeks of age and weaned to fly domestically. To fly internationally, the pet import requirements of your destination country will affect this minimum age.
The maximum weight of a pet including its crate is between 70 lbs. (32 kg) and 99 lbs. (45 kg). Note that the maximum weight may vary depending on the aircraft used.
Pet crate requirements
The sum of all three sides of the crate (L+W+H) must not exceed 112″ (285 cm). The height must not exceed 33″ (84 cm). The number of pets permitted on each flight will depend on the aircraft serving the route.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets are not permitted to fly to the United Kingdom as checked baggage. They must fly as air cargo.
Forms Required
Proof of rabies vaccination for pets older than three months and a health certificate is required. All permits, tests and treatments required by the destination or layover country must be available at check in.
Check in
Pets should arrive at the airport ticket counter with their pet in its crate earlier than normally required as your pet will need to be inspected and checked in. Pets arriving without a reservation will not be permitted to board.
Pet fee
Weight (pet + crate): Up to 32 kg
- Domestic flights (within Korea): KRW 30,000
- Japan/China/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Mongolia: KRW 140,000 | (USD 140)
- Other routes within Asia (Including Guam/Saipan): KRW 210,000 | (USD 210)
- U.S. Routes/Europe/Oceania: KRW 290,000 | (USD 290)
Weight (pet + crate): 32 kg – 45 kg
- Domestic flights (within Korea): KRW 60,000
- Japan/China/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Mongolia: KRW KRW 290,000 | (USD 140)
- Other routes within Asia (Including Guam/Saipan): KRW 440,000 | (USD 440)
- U.S. Routes/Europe/Oceania: KRW 590,000 | (USD 590)
Asiana Airlines Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Asiana Airlines as air cargo
Dogs, cats, birds and other animals.
Reservations
To fly a pet as air cargo on Asiana Airlines, pet owners should secure the assistance of a licensed agent.
Age requirements
All pets flying as air cargo must be at least eight weeks of age and weaned to fly domestically. To fly internationally, the pet import requirements of your destination country will affect this minimum age.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further requirements, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination for rabies-carrying mammals and all forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Asiana Airlines’ cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal. You will meet your agent at this location to check in your pet.
Pet fee
The fee to fly your pet as air cargo will be determined by the agent who handles your pet’s transport.
Asiana Airlines Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Asiana requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Asiana Airlines
The following dog breeds and their mixes (or crosses) have been classified as dangerous by Asiana Airlines and will not be transported on their aircraft: Tosa Inu, American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Mastiff (all types), Laika, Ovtcharka, Kangal, Wolfdog, American bully, Cane Corso, Miniature Bull Terrier.
The following breeds have been classified as brachycephalic (snub-nosed) by Asiana Airlines and will not be transported in the cargo hold.
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Dogo Argentino, Mastiff, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Brussels Griffon, Shih Tzu, Spaniel (English Toy, King Charles Spaniel, Tibetan), Chihuahua, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Presa Canario, Chow Chow, Pug, Pekingese, Shar Pei, Cane Corso and Dogue de Bordeaux.
CATS: Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold and Silver Chinchilla.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Asiana Airlines airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with Asiana Airlines? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Asiana Airlines pet policy.
Leave a Reply