Service animals

Flying with your service dog free of charge
Service dogs can come on board without a pet carrier

  • You may be exempted from signing the transportation declaration, but you may need documents such as a quarantine certificate for each country.
  • Passengers wishing to travel with a service dog must provide the following at least 48 hours prior to departure
    a declaration that the dog is a service dog; and
    an identification card or other document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training, attesting that the dog has been individually trained to perform a task to assist the passenger with a need related to their disability.
  • Korean Air may contact the issuing organization or person to verify the authenticity and accuracy of submitted documentation. Passengers are encouraged to ensure that their documentation clearly identifies the issuing organization or person and includes contact details for verification purposes.
  • If the required documentation is not provided at least 48 hours prior to departure, or if the documentation provided does not meet the requirements of the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations, Korean Air will make every reasonable effort to accommodate the request; however, the service dog may not be accepted for travel on the booked flight if accommodation cannot be provided without undue hardship.
  • Korean Air takes the integrity of its service animal program seriously. Submission of fraudulent, forged, or materially misleading documentation may result in denial of the service animal request and may be subject to further action.
    (However, routes to/from the U.S. are excluded from this regulation. For flights to/from the U.S.,please refer to the information below)

Transportation declaration not required

  • Service dogs accompanied by visually-impaired or hearing-impaired passengers can travel for free upon application at the service center. service animal  

  • Service dogs accompanied by passengers with disabilities can come on board without a pet carrier if wearing a harness with a training certification attached.
  • A seat cannot be assigned to a service dog.
  • Service dogs must behave appropriately in a public space and always be under the customer's control.
  • A service dog must sit on the floor in front of the passenger’s seat and must not go into the aisle or another passenger’s space.

Passengers with service dogs are restricted from using exit row seats as they may be unable to perform safety duties in an emergency.

Additional information for service dogs

Passengers with visual, hearing, or other disabilities must have someone to assist them at the origin/destination.

Regulations on service dogs for flights departing/arriving from/to the U.S.

Find the requirements for an accompanying service dog and how to request this service for U.S. routes. Regulations on service dogs for flights departing/arriving from/to the U.S. Are you traveling to the U.S. with your service dog?

Regulations on service dogs for flights departing/arriving from/to the U.S.

Service dog conditions

  • As of February 1, 2021, only trained service dogs are recognized as service animals for passengers with disabilities as per the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
  • Service dogs must be 6 months or older and specially trained to assist passengers with physical or mental disabilities. Passengers with disabilities can travel with up to two service dogs.

How to request a service dog travel

  • Please request a service dog travel at the Korean Air Booking Center. 
  • After requesting a service dog travel, complete and submit the two forms below to the email provided by the Korean Air Booking Center at least 48 hours before departure. 
  • If within 48 hours from departure, please contact the Korean Air Booking Center. 

What you should know

  • Service dogs must wear a leash or harness during travel.
  • Service dogs must behave appropriately in a public space and always be under the owners’ control.
  • Service dogs may not be allowed to board if they behave in an untrained manner, including barking too much, threatening other passengers, or relieving themselves.
  • A service dog must sit on the floor in front of the passenger’s seat and must not go into the aisle or another passenger’s space.
  • A vaccination certificate or quarantine certificate may be required depending on the quarantine regulations of the destination country. Please check the documents necessary for entry and keep them with you during the trip.
    U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
    U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (required when boarding a flight 8 hours or longer)