Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ptarmigan]

I gather that bringing a cat aboard a flight to Korea is not too difficult: get proof of rabies shot 30 days prior, bring vet's statement of health, use appropriate carrier, contact carrier in advance, pay extra fee at airport.

Am I right so far?

But what about when you have to fly on two or three different airlines?

Do you have to contact each one of these?

Do you have to pay an additional baggage fee each time you switch planes?

Will the cat be transferred automatically if he goes as cargo?

And while we're at it, anyone have experience doing this with the cat as carry on, under the seat? How much height do you get under the seat? And can I get an extra meal for him?

I've checked airline sites, and petravel.com, and I have not found answers to these questions.

If you have done this, could you please share your experiences?

Thanks!

[katsu]

well, i'm not sure about travelling with a cat...though i'm glad that u started this thread, as I too was thinking about taking my cat to Korea...although i'm starting to think that it's not such a good idea...he's afraid of ppl, noises, windows and basically everything, so the trip would only make him sick, and i dont want to put him through that.

What I do know is that last November when I travelled to Europe, there was family travelling with a small dog. He wasn't in a dog taxi or anything. He was sitting right next to the passangers (his owners) and he had his own seat . They also gave him a meal (but his owner probably had to pay for that, or provide that). This was the first time ever that I saw a dog on the plane travelling along with his family...and btw he wasn't a guide dog or anything...

So you could probably get away with taking him...as your carry-on so to speak. Provided that he doesn't mind ppl and noises, I think you would be able to have him on the floor of the plane, in-between your legs..I dont't think his taxi would fit under your seat, as there isn't that much space in terms of the height.

Anyways, having him with you on the plane would make both you and mil less anxious and stressed out, and I'm sure that would be much more humane than putting him as cargo, since the flight is so bloody long

Where are you flying from? How many stops would you have? Would you be able to get a direct flight? (Although more expensive, it would be the best for you and your cat).

Also, on the day you are flying out, or perhaps before, you should request to be seated in the last row of the plane, possibly by the window. Not many ppl like the last few rows, so if you are lucky, you could have the seat next to you empty...and therefore, you'd be able to put your cat (in his taxi) beside you...by the window to avoid any kids bothering him. You could also keep calling, and checking with the airline whether the flight is sold out...hopefully it won't be, and you'll be able to find out which seats are empty...

anyways, hope this helps. good lucky to you and your pal

[happygirl]

I'm going the other direction and am also interested in this info. I'm taking the Korean baby home with me to the States. Reading the airlines sites wasn't much help.

When I came over last year there was a girl bringing her cat. We met in the airport on the layover. He was harness trained, out of the crate strolling in the waiting area. So cool. We're working on the harness training now to prepare for this summer.

I want to make sure that I can keep her with me. Don't want her to be taken away and stuck somewhere else on the plane. She would freak out to be away from mom that long.

[ptarmigan]

I haven't actually done it yet. But I did the research. Here's a little advice.

Try to pick a single airline to cover all legs or the route, if possible. With some online searching, I was able to do this, although one leg is operated by a different carrier. I dropped the in-Korea leg at this point in favor of the bus.

Go to each airline website and dig for the pet info. Then call the airline reservations to ask confirm anything you have read about price, carrier size, etc.. Then call before you book to make sure they have room for the cat, then buy your ticket and call reservations again to reserve space for the cat.

You will need a hard sided carrier to go cargo. You can use a softsided carrier for onboard, but this cannot be used cargo. The onboard carrier must meet size restrictions. One airline said it could not be more than 8 inches tall, another was more liberal. If the carrier is used in cargo, the pet must be able to stand and turn around.

Most airllines say a dish for food and water must be inside the cargo carrier. However, Korean Airlines told me that providing food and water for cargo pets is prohibited. They also wanted $220. Asiana Airlines won't allow a cat over 11 pounds, and only carried on board.

I already had a softsided carrier that seemed to exceed the size regulations. But I brought it to the airport and showed it to a ticket agent. She eyeballed it and said it would be fine for on board use. I asked if she was sure, she said yes. It seems that the actually size probably corresponds more to the lugage carry on dimensions.

All in all, you might be safer going with a small hard sided carrier that can be used for both carry on and cargo.

Also, I was told that if you switch planes, you probably will need to pick up your pet, even if your luggage will be transferred automatically.

Another idea is to talk to a vet early on and ask if they know anyone with experience travelling with pets who can give you advice. You will need a health certificate issued within 10 days of flight for most airlines, not to mention a current rabies shot at least 30 days prior to flight.

As to food, I plan to serve well-moistened dry food in a small container. Perhaps a little water on the side. Keep in mind that cats can go for days without food or water, in a pinch.

I bought a Rubbermaid rectangular covered container that fits inside the carrier. I will at some point put some of the new silica gel kitty litter inside. Very light and absorbent.

In cargo, you are not supposed to put a collar on the cat. So an ID RFD chip is a good idea.

As to tranquilizers, everyone says not a good idea. Seems they could be a problem at high altitude. Catnip, however, would probably be fine. Most cats seem to settle down to new surroundings within two hours.

If you use a harness, make sure it is a very secure one. My cat has escaped from two different harnesses when spooked. Get a good one and make sure it is reasonably tight.

The in Korea flights seem to be the trickiest. The charge is cheap, about 6,000 Won. But there are restrictions. And Korean Airlines told me to submit a request in writting and they would get back to me in a few days. Being in Korea, you may be able to make arrangements more easily. Also, if you make clear that the flight is part of an international itinerary, the rules may shift. However, if you are just leaving from Seoul, I assume you won't have to deal with that.

While this all sounds complicated, I have heard of many people who travel with pets without a problem.

Good luck with your world travel cat!

[jazblanc77]

I've watched enough Looney Tunes to know that cats and birds don't travel well together. You may want to rethink this trip of yours ptarmigan.

[happygirl]

As an update...

US Airways will not allow a pet on overseas flights. Continental and Delta are no problem. The fee is $130. Must book the animal after booking your own ticket. Max size carrier is 17" x 12" x 8" for hard sided and 17" x 10" x 10" for a sherpa-type carrier.

[happygirl]

a further updat...

I am trying to purchase my ticket home. Leaving the end of June. Thru the work of an excellent travel agent and MANY phone calls, I have discovered that it is going to be very expensive to take my cat home. The ticket price jumps from 1,000,000 to 1,800,000 to get on a carrier that allows in-cabin pets. Then there are fees running around 200,000. All in all 1,000,000 to bring her home.

If you have flown and successfully taken your animal, please post your story here. I'm trying to find a solution.