As the number of people keeping pets increases, the number of passengers on Korean Air who boarded with their animals has more than doubled over the past four years.
According to Korean Air on the 27th, the number of requests made to the airline to bring pets onboard or transport them as checked baggage last year totaled 57,595, including international and domestic flights. This marks a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year. To travel with pets on the aircraft, one must apply to the airline to bring them onboard or transport them as checked baggage.
The number of pets boarding aircraft has more than doubled in four years. In 2020, there were 27,533 cases; this increased to 30,764 in 2021, 39,260 in 2022, 51,151 in 2023, and 57,595 in 2024, indicating a trend of annual growth.
The number of pets traveling abroad has also significantly increased. From 10,054 in 2020 to 36,263 in 2024, this represents an increase of more than three times (260.7%). During the same period, domestic flights increased from 17,479 to 21,332, a rise of 22.0%.
Korean Air was the first domestic airline to introduce pet-related services. Since 2017, it has offered mileage rewards and transportation fee discounts through its 'Sky Pets' program for travelers with pets. Korean Air allows pets and their cages weighing up to 7 kg to be brought onboard, while those exceeding 7 kg but weighing less than 45 kg must be checked in as cargo.
Other airlines are also expanding their pet services. Eastar Jet has been operating a pet-friendly boarding service on international flights since July last year. It was the first domestic airline to launch 'Pet Air Tel.' Jeju Air operated a pet-exclusive flight called 'Dangdang Flight' in April last year, where pets sit in designated seats next to their owners.
T'way Air has increased the conventional pet transport weight limit from 7 kg to 9 kg. AIR BUSAN expanded the number of pets allowed to travel in the cabin from the previous three per flight to a maximum of ten starting in 2021. It also produced 'pet uniforms' for pets.