Korean Air Pet Travel: Incheon-Dalian Dog Flight Booking Guide

Planning a trip to China with my dog led me to book a Korean Air flight from Incheon to Dalian. The flight time, a short 1.5 hours, was perfect for my furry companion to get accustomed to international travel before we tackle longer journeys.

But here's the crucial part: simply buying your own ticket isn't enough. You absolutely need to complete a separate application process for your dog to fly with you.

I'll walk you through my entire experience of booking my Korean Air flight first, then applying for the pet-in-cabin service, covering all the necessary details and essential checkpoints.

Dog Travel to China: Choosing Korean Air for Incheon-Dalian

For our first adventure to China with my dog, I chose the Incheon to Dalian route. Korean Air was my airline of choice, thanks to a handy discount coupon.

My dog is actually a Canadian native and had some long-haul flight experience as a pup. Still, after a long break from flying, I opted for a shorter route. It minimizes stress for your pet in the cabin and makes for a much easier trip for you to prepare for.

Book Your Own Flight First!

To apply for the pet-in-cabin service, your own flight booking and ticketing must be fully completed first.

I purchased my flight from Incheon to Dalian through the Korean Air app. It turns out the system only allows you to proceed to the pet travel application menu once your personal ticket is confirmed and issued.

How to Apply for Pet Travel on Korean Air

After purchasing my flight ticket, I navigated to my reservation details to initiate the pet travel application. From my booking information, I selected "Seat & Service Request," then "Other Services," and finally, the "Pet Accompanying Service" menu.

Following the on-screen prompts, I entered detailed information about my dog, including breed and weight, to complete the application.

Important note: submitting the application doesn't mean immediate confirmation. It requires approval from the airline. I submitted mine and received an approval message the very next day.

While Korean Air's official guidelines state international applications can be made up to 48 hours before departure, I highly recommend applying right after you book your flight. Cabin space for pets is limited, so acting fast is key!

Pet Transportation Fees and Mileage Payment

Once your pet's travel application is approved, you can proceed with paying the transportation fee.

For the Incheon-Dalian route, which falls under short-haul international flights departing from Korea, the one-way fee is ~$111.

You can pay with a credit card, either in advance or on the day of departure at the airport. Mileage is also an option; for pets weighing up to 70 lbs (32 kg) traveling from Korea to China, a one-way trip costs 15,000 miles. You can also utilize any accumulated SKYPETS points.

Korean Air Incheon-Dalian Dog Travel Seat Assignment and Payment Review

Even while waiting for approval after submitting your pet's boarding application, you can go ahead and select your preferred seat.

For the Incheon-Dalian route, Korean Air only has two dedicated pet-friendly seats: 36F and 53F. I was a bit anxious, hoping no one else had snagged them already, so I was relieved to find one available!

Once approved, you'll receive notifications via messaging apps, email, and app alerts. After confirming the approval message, you can proceed to pay the pet transportation fee, which wraps up the entire application process.

My own round-trip ticket was a steal at around ~$141 thanks to a discount coupon. However, with my dog's transport fee coming to ~$111 for the outbound flight and $150 for the return, the total pet cost alone was over ~$222. While it felt a bit steep, especially since they don't get their own seat and must remain under the seat in front, the joy of traveling with my dog made it worth every penny!

In-Cabin Requirements and Travel Restrictions

For Korean Air in-cabin travel, your dog must be at least 8 weeks old, and the combined weight of your dog and its carrier must not exceed 15 lbs (7 kg).

The carrier dimensions are a maximum of 12.5 inches (32 cm) wide, 17.5 inches (45 cm) long, and 7.5 inches (19 cm) high. Soft-sided carriers made of fabric or leather are allowed up to 10 inches (25 cm) in height, but they must be compressible to 7.5 inches (19 cm) when placed under the seat.

Each passenger can bring one pet in the cabin and check up to two pets in the cargo hold, allowing for a total of three pets per passenger.

Certain breeds, such as aggressive dogs, those under sedation, or pets with strong odors, are restricted from travel. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like Pekingese, Shih Tzus, and Bulldogs cannot be transported in the cargo hold due to respiratory risks and are only permitted in the cabin if they meet the in-cabin requirements.

As I prepared for my China trip, I found the "Adopt Me ShipGo Backpack 3.0," which perfectly meets Korean Air's regulations. Its backpack design keeps my hands free while moving, and the large mesh window allows for easy monitoring of my pup. What I loved most is its expandability in the cabin, ensuring my dog stays comfortable and doesn't feel cramped. If you're planning to travel with your dog, make sure to check the specifications of your pet carrier against the airline's in-cabin guidelines.

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Dog Travel Tips & Booking Summary

From booking my flight to applying for pet travel, I've now personally navigated the process of taking my dog to Dalian.

When flying with your dog, I highly recommend starting your preparations well in advance, rather than rushing as your departure date approaches. Airlines have strict limits on the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight, and on routes like Incheon to Dalian, there might only be two dedicated pet-friendly seats. If you don't act quickly, you could miss out on a spot and be unable to bring your furry friend.

I hope this guide provides valuable assistance to anyone planning international travel with their dog.

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