Korean Air in-cabin pet policy — and the carriers that fit
Korean Air allows small pets in the cabin in a carrier up to 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in, stowed under the seat in front of you. Already own a carrier? Enter its measurements below to check it against this limit. Korean Air does not publish a cabin-pet fee on its own policy page. 0 of the 15 carriers we track clear that published limit.
That means no carrier on our list clears it outright — the closest is the Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) (flexes — 1" over), with 2 others in the same range. Measure yours and expect an agent to check it. Korean's 7.5" height ceiling sits mid-pack among the 77 airlines we track (shared with Volaris): Aegean, Air Canada, Air Europa and Air France allow more, while EL AL Israel allows only 7".
Will your carrier fit Korean Air?
Measure the outside of your carrier (bulges included) and enter it below. The check uses Korean Air’s published 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in limit — height is checked strictly, the footprint may rotate.
Korean Air pet rules
| Max carrier size (published) | 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in |
| Carrier size caveat | Soft carriers up to 10 in (25 cm) high are permitted if they press down to 7.5 in (19 cm). |
| Soft-sided required? | Soft recommended; hard allowed within its limit |
| In-cabin fee | Not published · compare all airlines → |
| Species allowed | dogs, cats, pet birds |
| Weight | 7 kg (15 lb) or less, total weight of the pet and pet carrier combined |
| Pets | Not published |
| Booking | After purchasing your ticket, request the Traveling with Pets service at least 48 hours before an international flight (24 hours before a domestic flight), then select a seat designated for pet travel · what to book, buy and pack → |
Source: official Korean Air pet policy · verified 2026-08-25 · how Korean Air ranks on fee and space →
Carriers that fit Korean Air
Matched to Korean Air's published 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in limit (height checked strictly; footprint may rotate). See the full Korean Air carrier shortlist →
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our specs or which carriers we list.
This table ranks by Korean Air’s size limit — not by your pet. The weight under each carrier is what that size is rated to hold. A bag can clear the airline and still be the wrong size for the animal, which is the most common reason one goes back — measure your pet first →
| Carrier | Size | Fit | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) up to ~8 lb · max pet 13″ long × 7.5″ tall | 15 × 10 × 8.5 in | Flexes — 1" over | See on Amazon → |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) up to ~15 lb · over Korean Air's 15 lb limit once the bag is counted | 17 × 11 × 9 in | Flexes — 1.5" over | Not available on Amazon right now |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Medium) up to ~16 lb · max pet 16″ long × 9.5″ tall · over Korean Air's 15 lb limit once the bag is counted | 17 × 11 × 10.5 in | Flexes — 3" over | See on Amazon → |
12 carriers too big for Korean Air
Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) up to ~10 lb | 17 × 10 × 10 in | Too tall (10" > 7.5") | View on Amazon |
Diggs Passenger pet size not published · Diggs discontinued this carrier — link goes to similar carriers | 17 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too tall (10.5" > 7.5") | Compare similar on Amazon → |
Sleepypod Atom up to ~12 lb | 17 × 8.5 × 10.5 in | Too tall (10.5" > 7.5") | View on Amazon |
Petsfit (Medium) Expandable Soft-Sided up to ~13 lb | 17 × 11 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 7.5") | View on Amazon |
Bergan Comfort Carrier (Small) pet size not published | 16 × 8 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 7.5") | View on Amazon |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Standard (Expandable) up to ~20 lb | 18 × 11 × 10 in | Too big | Not available on Amazon right nowIn stock and fits the same airlines: Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) |
Sleepypod Air up to ~18 lb | 22 × 10.5 × 10.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
ibiyaya JetPaw Expandable Backpack up to ~17 lb | 18 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
Away The Pet Carrier pets up to ~18 lb | 18.7 × 10.8 × 10.75 in | Too big | Compare similar on Amazon → |
Frisco Premium Airline-Compliant Carrier up to ~22 lb | 18 × 11 × 11 in | Too big | Compare similar on Amazon → |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Large) up to ~22 lb · max pet 18″ long × 10.5″ tall | 19 × 11.75 × 11.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
SturdiBag Pro (Large, Flexible Height) pet size not published | 18 × 11.5 × 11.5 in | Too big | Not available on Amazon right nowIn stock and fits the same airlines: Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) |
How to confirm your actual under-seat space
Korean Air's number is its published maximum, not a guarantee for your exact seat. Before you buy or fly:
- Check which aircraft operates your flight (in your booking or on a seat-map site).
- Avoid bulkhead and exit rows — bulkheads have no under-seat storage and most airlines ban pets there — and check this airline's seat rules above.
- Call Korean Air to confirm under-seat dimensions for that aircraft, or
- Choose a collapsible / flexible-height carrier that adapts to a tighter space.
More airlines: Air Canada · Alaska Airlines · Allegiant Air · American Airlines · Breeze Airways · Delta Air Lines · Frontier Airlines · Southwest Airlines · United Airlines · Qantas · Qatar Airways · Royal Air Maroc · all →
Common questions
What size pet carrier does Korean Air allow in the cabin?
Korean Air's recommended maximum in-cabin carrier is 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in. It must fit fully under the seat in front of you. Source: the Korean Air pet policy.
How much does Korean Air charge for an in-cabin pet?
Not published. Always confirm the current fee on the official Korean Air pet page before you fly.
Which pet carriers fit Korean Air?
No carrier we track clears Korean Air's published 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in outright — the closest is the Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) (flexes — 1" over). Full shortlist: /fits/korean-air/.
Is Korean Air's 17.5 × 12.5 × 7.5 in limit guaranteed on every aircraft?
No. Korean Air states: "Restrictions on traveling with a pet will vary depending on the aircraft, cabin class, and entry/exit regulations at the specific airport." It also requires that the carrier fit under the seat in front of you, so confirm the aircraft and cabin on your specific flight. Treat the published figure as a fleet-wide maximum, not a promise for your seat, and prefer a collapsible or flexible-height carrier.
How many pets can I bring in the cabin on Korean Air?
Not published. Species accepted: dogs, cats, pet birds. Weight limit: 7 kg (15 lb) or less, total weight of the pet and pet carrier combined. After purchasing your ticket, request the Traveling with Pets service at least 48 hours before an international flight (24 hours before a domestic flight), then select a seat designated for pet travel