Asian Airlines that allow Dog In Cabin

There are actually a few Asian Airlines that allow you to take your dog in cabin with you. Asia in general is not the most pet friendly but over time it is improving. The idea of pet in cabin is still quite new, and there are a few you can travel on. The requirements are generally a lot more strict than Europe but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. Korean airlines lead the way with almost all of them allowing pets to fly in cabin. Most have a weight limit of only 7kg including the carrier, although recently we’ve seen more increase their limit to 9kg.

*Please note whilst I try my best to keep this page updated, airlines can change their policy at any time and without notice. Therefore, please always check directly with the airline before booking any tickets to ensure you have the up to date correct information.

Jeju Air

Jeju Air have recently increased their weight limit up to 9kg (including carrier). They also allow pets to fly in their BizLite cabin as well as to transit via Korea, although they only have a few routes that offer this. 1 pet per passenger, however the carrier size is small. Maximum dimensions can only be 100cm (maximum width 37cm and height 23cm). We will be trying with our Sturdibag L size which is a bit bigger than this so we’ll see how it goes! Booking can be made online for domestic flights and fees are 25,000 kwn for domestic flights, 70,000 to Japan, 85,000 to China/Taiwan and 100,000 to Southeast Asia. For international flights, bookings must be made by the call centre. Most agents don’t speak English so you need to request a cal back in English to book the service. This was pretty easy to do.

T’Way Air

T’Way Air is a low cost carrier which operates out of South Korea. They have the largest weight allowance for any Asian airline, allowing up to 9kg including the carrier. The maximum dimensions for the carrier is 115cm with maximum height of 26cm for a soft case. Of course there must be sufficient space for the pet to be able to move. It must also have a lock from the outside. You can only travel in economy and will be assigned a pet seat (but not an emergency exit row). They also have a generous allowance of up to 6 pets per flight (1 per passenger and each pet must be at least 2 rows apart from another). You are also not allowed to travel with a pet in cabin on the flights to Europe which is a shame.

However, please note they don’t allow you to transit. So if you plan to fly T’Way you must enter Korea and then exit again, which means you must have all the paperwork for both Korea and your final destination. This adds a lot of unnecessary paperwork, time and cost onto your trip if Korea isn’t your final destination.

The cost for bringing your pet in cabin is 20,000 Korean Won (approx US$15) for domestic flights and between 100,000 (US$77) and 200,000 (US$155) for international flights. They don’t allow pets to fly at all in checked baggage so if you use this option, you must ensure you fit all the requirements. Check out my Youtube to see how my flight with them went.

Air Seoul

Yet another Korean airline, Air Seoul carry on the pet in cabin ability. Their allowance is a more generous 9kg including the carrier., but they only offer economy seats on their flights. One pet per passenger with a maximum carrier size of 115cm (max height 25cm for soft cases). Their prices have increased quite a bit with the weight limit increase. Cost is 30,000 kwn for a domestic flight, 100,000 kwn to China & Japan and 200,000 kwn to Southeast Asia.

Eastar

Eastar is another low cost Korean airline to allow pets in cabin with a generous 9kg allowance (including carrier). They offer both domestic and international flights and the price varies depending on the destination. For domestic flights, the price is 30,000 kwn each way. For international flights it’s 120,000 kwn to Japan, 150,000 kwn to China & Taiwan and 200,000 kwn to Southeast Asia. Carrier size is a maximum of 100cm total dimensions, height limit of 23cm for hard sided carrier or 25cm for a soft sided carrier. There are designated pet seats in the window seats of rows 6, 18 and 29 (seats A&F). You can make the booking for the pet online when booking your own ticket. Only economy seats are offered on Eastar.

Asiana Airlines

Asiana Airlines is a Korean airlines based out of Seoul. They allow pets in cabin to fly both domestically and internationally in cabin. The maximum weight of the carrier is 7kg and must not exceed the dimensions of 115cm. Maximum height is 21cm but soft cases will be allowed up to 26cm as long as they can fit under the seat in front. 1 pet can be brought per person and it is strictly prohibited to take them out of the carrier at any time. You will be given a designated seat upon check in. In business class, the carrier will be stowed in another area during take off and landing for safety reasons since the carrier can not go under the seat in front. Cost is 30,000 Korean won for a domestic flight. For international flights it depends on your route and will vary from US$140 to US$290.

Korean Air

Korean Air allow pets to fly in cabin on both domestic and international routes. They even have a Skypets award scheme that you can collect stamps every time you fly with them. The maximum weight (including bag) has been increased from the original 5kg to the current 7kg. This is still lower than most European airlines, so hopefully they will increase it again in the future. As with all pet in cabin travel, the pet should be able to stand, lay down and move around comfortably in the carrier. The maximum dimensions of the carrier should be 19cm x 32cm x 45cm. They also state you cannot take your pet out of the carrier, put it on your seat or lap during the flight.

You can only take 1 pet with you in cabin. You must also provide advance notice at least 24hrs before for a domestic flight and 48hrs before for an international flight.

The cost is 32,000 Korean Won for a domestic flight. US$150 for flights to Japan, Taiwan, China, Macao, Hong Kong & Mongolia. $225 for flights to South East Asia from Korea and $300 for all other flights. This cost is each way. ESA’s are only permitted on flights to & from the US.

Jin Air

Jin Air is another South Korean Airlines that allows pets in cabin. Their maximum weight limit is 7kg including the carrier. If the weight is more than this they must be carried as checked in baggage and can only fly on the 777 aircraft. You may bring your own carrier or you can purchase a cardborad carrier at the airport for domestic flights. The cost of the carrier is 5,000 Korean Won. If you bring your own carrier the total sum of the dimensions can be no more than 115cm. You are able to add your pet to your booking online after making your own flight reservation by going to my page > reservation detail > companion pet application. It’s best to do this as soon as possible as the number of pets on each flight is restricted.

Air Busan

South Korea for sure leads the way with their pet in cabin options. Air Busan is another option available to travellers in Asia. Dogs cats and birds are the only animals that are allowed on board and only allow 1 per person. The maximum weight allowance is 7kg including the bag. The maximum dimensions of the carrier can be 115cm with the height no more than 24cm. You will be assigned a window seat when travelling with a pet and the carrier must be stored under the seat in front at all times. Taking the pet out at any time is strictly prohibited.

The cost is 20,000 Korean won for a domestic flight and between US$70 – $90 for other destinations. You can add your pet to your reservation by calling the contact centre.

Air Premia

Another Korean airline Air Premia also allow you to travel with your pet dog, cat or bird. You must add your pet to your reservation by calling the call centre at least 48 hours before your flight. Similar to most of the other Korean airlines, weight is limited to 7kg including the carrier. Carriers limits are 38cm width, 22cm length and 26cm height for a soft carrier (which must go down to 23cm when pressed). Only 1 pet per person is allowed. 130,000 kwn for flights to/from Northeast Asia, 200,000 kwn for Southeast Asia and 280,000 for the Americas & Europe. In the past Premia did allow up to 10kg allowance, but for some reason have lowered this. Much to the annoyance of a lot of their Instagram followers!

Aero K

Aero K is another Korean airline that allows pets in cabin. But they are restricted to Cheong-Ju airport in South Korea from Japan. Then domestic flights. A slightly higher weight limit than most Korean airlines at 8kg (including carrier). Price is 100,000 kwn for an international flight and 20,000 kwn for domestic flights.

Etihad

Etihad are up there with the most unique pet policy. They allow pets to fly in economy or business. However, the rules are much more flexible if you are flying with a falcon over a dog or cat! You can carry 1 per person in economy, 2 in business/first. If you purchase an additional seat you can also carry an extra one per person. Not only that, but falcons fly free as part of your cabin baggage!

For dogs and cats the rules are slightly different. There is a maximum weight limit of 8kg and carrier size restriction of 40x40x22cm (in economy) or 50x43x50 (in business or if you have bought an extra seat in economy). That’s right. Etihad give you the option of buying an additional seat. This gives you the option of putting the pet on the seat in the carrier, rather than having it under the seat in front. Which is a great option. However, that comes at a price! Regardless of which class you are flying or whether you buy an extra seat, the cost to add a dog or cat is US$1,500 each way! Yes, that’s probably more than the cost of your own seat. If you buy an extra seat as well (which is mandatory in business) you will pay full fare for it.

Whilst you have to give Etihad credit for trying something new, I can’t imagine they will have much upkeep at those prices. Given they are already quite an expensive airline, adding $1,500 each way plus the potential cost of an extra seat, I just can’t see people paying that. Especially not when the dog/cat still has to stay inside the carrier. Or when falcons can fly free without being in a cage.

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines as the name suggests operate out of Vietnam. They have quite an extensive network of flights around the world so could be a good option. However, their weight limit is super low at only 6kg including the carrier. Not only that, but their website states it must be made of a hard material. No way can any normal dog fit in a hard cage and be under 6kg! The carrier height can also only be 20cm. They might as well say pets can’t fly in cabin as those restrictions are just insane. I think even the smallest of dog would struggle to fit into that!

Nok Air

Nok Air is a budget airlines operating out of Thailand. They primarily operate domestic flights inside of Thailand. They started with a Pet on Board campaign back in 2022. From what I saw of this flight it was by far the most pet friendly journey I’ve seen. I haven’t seen any offerings since and despite asking multiple times I never got any response back from them. So it seems unlikely this is going to become a common option unfortunately.

For the special flight, Nok Air provided a pet travel bag which fit their requirements and had different sizes available. They allowed you to purchase 3 tickets as a package which was for 2 adults and 1 pet return journey. The cost was 12,999 THB (approx US$350). This is quite a bit more expensive than flying on these routes normally, but being able to travel with your pet is definitely worth the extra. The dog carrier was allowed to sit on the plane seat. They also had a special seatbelt which wrapped around the carrier and the back of the seat. This holds in the pet securely which I’ve never seen before. The seat itself had a special cover on it too.

The pets must have valid vaccinations and a health check too. I believe they provide the check as part of the price, as well as travel insurance.

It would be amazing if this kind of travel became the norm. Nok Air would definitely be leading the way in terms of being a pet friendly if they began to allow this kind of travel on all flights.

Bamboo Air

Bamboo Air have a large weight limit too up to 10kg and allow in both economy and business class. However, their kennel requirements are a bit strange. The max size limit they allow is 35 x 30 x 20cm which is quite small. Although they allow up to 50 x 40 x 95cm if you buy an extra seat. So that’s super generous. However, they only allow plastic, wood, metal, weld metal mesh kennels, even for in cabin. The kennel sides must be solid and ensure ventilation. Interiors must be smooth with no sharp edges or protuberances that can cause injury to pets during transportation.

I wrote to Bamboo to ask if this was true for in cabin too as the requirements are the same for in the hold. They said yes for the moment this is correct. However, I’ve read on many travel sites that people have travelled with a soft sided carrier.

Fees are 3,000,000 VND (approx US$130) for domestic flights in cabin. For international flights it was US$150 for South East Asia, US$250 to North East Asia and US$400 to Europe & Australia.

*unfortunately Bamboo have ceased flying internationally for the time being. If this changes I will update this page again.

Myanmar Air

Myanmar Air also allow pets in cabin in both economy and business class. They have a generous weight allowance of 10kg and a large carrier size allowance as well. Carrier size can be (46cm x 28cm x 28cm) and a soft carrier can be a bit bigger as it squashes down. You must also pay for an extra seat for the dog, but tickets are pretty cheap. There is a fee as well, but that’s not mentioned as to what it is until you confirm the route and dates.

In order to book a ticket you must make a Special Service Request by e-mailing ssr@maiair.aero. You will need to submit all details of the dog, the carrier, your passport and documentation in order to book the ticket.

I thought this may be a good option for flying within Asia, but they do not allow transit. So you would have to enter and exit Myanmar and then do all of the associated paperwork. Which makes it rather off putting.

Japanese Airlines

Starflyer

Starflyer allow pets to fly in cabin on all domestic routes. However, they only have a very limited flight schedule. They have a specific pet seat at the back of the plane which they cover and allow you to place the carrier on the seat. You will board the plane first and disembark last. The carrier can be 75cm high x 43cm wide x 55cm long which is generous since you get to secure it onto the seat.

The only downside to this is the price. It’s ¥50,000 each way. This is significantly more expensive than the human tickets but it covers the cost of the seat preparation, and additional cleaning they do after the flight. I would still like to try this as it’s definitely a unique option. So maybe one day soon I’ll get the chance.

After the JAL flight accident where 2 animals passed away, I wrote to JAL asking them to reconsider their pet policy. However, they responded and said they had no intention of doing this even after the accident. Hopefully one day we will see some change but I can’t see it happening any time soon.

Others

Other airlines such as Thai Airways will allow pets to be transported in the hold. However, most of the low cost airlines such as Air Asia & Scoot will not allow pets to travel at all.

Hopefully more airlines will begin to become pet friendly in the future. If you know of any others, please let me know in the comments below. I look forward to trying out some of these airlines in the future.

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Woof woof, Wylie x

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