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By: Angie Alvis, South of Seoul volunteer
Moving internationally, even moving back to your home country, takes a lot of preparation and planning; especially if you have pets. There is a lot of planning and paperwork involved with flying with pets, even if you are just flying back to your home country. Be sure to check with your arriving country for their requirements for importing pets.
This blog outlines the three ways you can fly out of Korea with your pet: in-cabin, excess baggage (accompanied cargo), and unaccompanied or manifest cargo.
Pets In-Cabin
In-cabin means that your pet will fly with you on the plane. You will put your pet under the seat in front of you for the duration of your flight. Not every airline allows pets in-cabin on international flights and you need to make sure your pet meets the guidelines set by each airline, so double check before you book your tickets. Generally speaking, your furry companion will need to be VERY SMALL. Most weight restrictions are around 10-15 lbs. Maximum carrier sizes are pretty restricted as well, usually around 10 inches or shorter in height. This is pretty small considering your pet needs to fit comfortably inside its carrier. If the carrier appears too small for your pet, you may be turned away completely at check-in. Check with the airline regarding their specific requirements.
Before booking your ticket, call the airline that you want to book with and check that there is space for your pet on the flight that you want. Each flight only allows a certain number of pets in the cabin.
Pets as Excess Baggage (Accompanied Cargo)
If your pet cannot fly in-cabin, another option is for your pet to fly as excess baggage, or accompanied cargo. This means that your pet will fly on the same plane as you, in a temperature controlled cargo area of the plane. Not all planes have temperature control areas for cargo. It is important to call the airlines before booking your ticket to ensure that the flight you are interested in flying to has the proper accomodations for pets. Weight and carrier size restrictions vary by airline. It is important that your pet fits comfortably in a carrier that meets the airline’s requirements. Your pet must be able to sit up, stand up, and turn around in the crate without touching the top of the crate. In addition to crate restrictions, many airlines also have temperature restrictions. Most airlines will not accept pets during extreme hot or cold temperatures. If your crate does not meet the airline’s requirements or is not the appropriate size for your pet or it is too hot or cold on the day of your flight, the airline will not accept your pet for travel.
If you are planning on flying with your pet as excess baggage during the summer or winter, it is a good idea to have a pet shipper as a backup.
If you are booking a ticket for a pet as excess baggage, you need to call the airline and request a spot for them in the cargo compartment. Again, only certain planes have temperature controlled cargo areas and only certain airlines fly pets as unaccompanied baggage.
Pets as Unaccompanied Cargo
You will have to fly your pet as unaccompanied or manifest cargo if you have a larger pet or if you pets cannot fly on the same day as you. This happens more often than you’d think – especially given the temperature embargos and the limited flights with temperature controlled cargo compartments. Flying your pet as unaccompanied or manifest cargo means that your pet will fly on a cargo-only plane. Airlines do not allow individual pet owners to book these accommodations. You will need to hire a pet shipping company to arrange everything with the airline.
Here are a few Korea-based pet shipping and relocation companies for flying pets as unaccompanied baggage:
The First Class Pet
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 070-4101-1169
010-9794-1125
Kakao Talk is the best way to communicate with First Class Pet
Pet Airlines
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02-2667-0112
Email is the best way to communicate with Pet Airlines
Shindog Air
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 010-5119-8073
Facebook and Facebook Messenger is the best way to communicate with Shindog Air
Shindig Air also runs Flying Pets Korea – Free Advice
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Use this article as a research starting point and confirm important details using current official resources, direct contact, Naver Maps, Kakao Map, and other reliable sources when appropriate.
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Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT
South of Seoul
Jetta Allen
South of Seoul