No airline takes pets on every route. Airline pet policies decide which travel methods are open, for which breeds and sizes, and on which aircraft. Choose the route first, then the airline that carries pets on it.
Airline Pet Policies: Quick Answers
- Which airlines fly pets from Vietnam? Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana, EVA Air, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, ANA, JAL and the main Chinese airlines.
- Which of them take pets in the cabin? Vietnam Airlines up to 6 kg, Korean Air and Asiana up to 7 kg, and Turkish Airlines up to 8 kg, carrier included.
- Which take a large dog on my flight? Qatar Airways accepts checked pets up to 75 kg on most routes. Turkish Airlines accepts up to 50 kg, and Korean Air and Asiana up to 45 kg, crate included.
- Does Vietjet carry pets abroad? No. Vietjet publishes a pet service for domestic flights only.
- Can the airline still refuse my pet? Yes. The final check happens at the counter on the day.
How to Choose an Airline for Your Pet
Work through these questions in order. Each one narrows the list.
- What does the destination allow? Some countries accept pets only as cargo. This decides the travel method before any airline does.
- Which route and connection? A connection airport can force cargo. Hong Kong does this for pets that change aircraft there. In 2026, dogs we flew to Los Angeles with their owners went through Taipei on EVA Air for this reason.
- Does the airline offer that method on that route? Many airlines have no cabin option for pets.
- Does the airline accept the breed and weight? Snub-nosed breeds and heavy crates rule out some airlines.
- Which aircraft flies the route? Several airlines do not carry pets in the hold of narrow-body aircraft.
- What is the season? Heat or cold can stop a booked pet on the day.
How the three travel methods differ is explained in pet transport methods explained.
Airlines That Fly Pets from Vietnam: Policies Compared
This table sums up each airline’s published pet policy for routes from Vietnam, as checked in October 2026. Limits include the carrier or crate.
| Airline | Cabin | Checked baggage | Cargo | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines (direct) | Up to 6 kg, carrier 35 × 30 × 20 cm | Up to 32 kg | Yes | No dogs on flights to or from the US; no cabin or checked pets to Australia; long breed list |
| Korean Air (via Seoul) | Up to 7 kg | Up to 45 kg | Yes | No checked pets on Boeing 737 or A321 international flights; dogs to the US only via Washington Dulles or Atlanta |
| Asiana (via Seoul) | Up to 7 kg | Up to 45 kg | Not confirmed | No checked pets on A321 international flights; flights move to Korean Air from 17 December 2026 |
| EVA Air (via Taipei) | No | Yes, on EVA-operated flights | Not confirmed | No checked pets on A321 or long-haul Boeing 787; snub-nosed breeds refused |
| China Airlines (via Taipei) | No | Yes, book at least 48 hours ahead | Not confirmed | No checked pets on some narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-800; at most 8 crates per flight |
| Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) | No | No | Yes | Pets changing aircraft in Hong Kong need a transhipment permit |
| Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) | No | Up to 32 kg | Yes | No pets on Boeing 737 flights, which serve Da Nang and some Hanoi flights; no pets connecting to or from other airlines |
| Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur) | No | About 32 kg | Yes | Cabin refused on every route |
| Emirates (via Dubai) | No | Not into Dubai | Yes | Pets into Dubai fly as cargo; snub-nosed breeds only November to April |
| Etihad (Abu Dhabi) | Some routes into Abu Dhabi, not the Hanoi flight | Not confirmed | Yes | Boxer, Rottweiler and Pit Bull types refused; snub-nosed cargo only 1 November to 1 March |
| Qatar Airways (via Doha) | No | Up to 75 kg on most routes, subject to airport limits | Yes | No pets connecting from another airline; some breeds restricted because of heat risk |
| Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) | Up to 8 kg | Up to 50 kg | Yes, through an IATA cargo agent | Snub-nosed breeds not as checked baggage; no pets on flights ending in the UK |
| Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) | Up to 8 kg | Yes | Yes | Munich does not take checked pets; snub-nosed breeds not in the hold |
| ANA and JAL (via Tokyo) | No | Yes | ANA through a cargo agent | JAL refuses Bulldogs and French Bulldogs on all flights |
| Air China, China Southern, China Eastern | No | Up to 32 kg, direct flights only | Not confirmed | No pets on connecting flights |
Airlines change these rules without fixed dates. The pet’s place, the breed and the aircraft are confirmed again when the booking is made. The main official sources are:
- Vietnam Airlines travelling with pets
- Korean Air travel with pets guide
- EVA Air travelling with pets
- Turkish Cargo TK Live
- Singapore Airlines travelling with pets
- Qatar Airways travelling with animals
- Hong Kong AFCD transit terms
Airline Rules vs Country Rules: Why Both Apply
A pet must meet two separate sets of rules. The country controls disease at its border. The airline controls safety on board, and it checks your pet at departure.
Meeting one set does not cover the other, and the stricter rule wins. Two examples show the gap:
- The airline is stricter. The US accepts dogs from Vietnam at eight airports with a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility. Korean Air takes those dogs only into Washington Dulles or Atlanta.
- The country is stricter. Vietnam Airlines carries pets in the cabin on many routes. Australia still accepts pets only as cargo, so the cabin option does not apply there.
The airline also checks the destination’s entry rules at check-in, using Timatic, the travel rules database airlines share. A pet without a required import permit is stopped at the counter, as described in why airlines refuse pets on departure day.
Rules Most Airlines Share
- Breed lists. Every airline keeps its own list, mostly of snub-nosed and strong breeds. Compare them in our airline breed restrictions guide.
- Temperature. IATA publishes no single temperature limit. Each airline sets its own, and Vietnam Airlines may refuse a pet in extreme heat or cold without a fixed figure. See temperature limits for flying pets.
- Sedation. Asiana, Turkish Airlines and ANA state that they do not accept sedated pets. Vets also advise against it, as explained in whether pets should be sedated.
- Crates. Checked and cargo pets travel in a rigid crate built to the IATA standard. Some airlines, such as Lufthansa, also require metal fasteners.
- The final check. Staff weigh the pet and check the crate and documents on the day, and can refuse a pet that does not meet the rules.
Airline Pet Guides by Destination
Each route from Vietnam has its own carriers and rules. These guides cover the main destinations:
- United States: airlines for pets to the USA, including the Animal Care Facility airports.
- Japan: airlines for pets to Japan, where Vietnam Airlines, ANA and JAL all fly.
- China: airlines for pets to China, with direct flights only.
- Singapore: airlines for pets to Singapore.
- UAE: airlines for pets to the UAE, Dubai by cargo and Abu Dhabi by cabin.
- Europe: airlines for pets to Europe, including non-stop flights.
- Into Vietnam: airlines that fly pets to Vietnam.
Guides for Canada, Russia, Thailand, India, the Philippines and Indonesia are listed in our blog under each destination.
Airline Pet Policies: Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline is the most pet-friendly from Vietnam?
None is best on every route. Vietnam Airlines offers the most direct flights with a cabin option. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air and Asiana take the heaviest checked pets.
Can my dog fly in the cabin from Vietnam to the US?
Not with Vietnam Airlines, which does not carry dogs to or from the US. A small dog can fly in the cabin with Korean Air up to 7 kg, on a route into Washington Dulles or Atlanta.
Why do airline and country rules differ?
They protect different things. The country controls disease at its border, while the airline controls safety on board. Your pet must meet both, and the stricter rule applies.
Can I book my pet’s place online?
Usually not as part of the ticket. Most airlines ask you to request the pet’s place separately, by phone, form or online request. The airline confirms it only after review.
Do airlines carry pets in the hold of every aircraft?
No. Korean Air, Asiana, EVA Air, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines exclude some narrow-body or long-haul aircraft. Check the aircraft for each flight number.
Last updated 17 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
Official sources cited in this guide
- Vietnam Airlines travelling with petsvietnamairlines.com
- Korean Air travel with pets guidekoreanair.com
- EVA Air travelling with petsevaair.com
- Turkish Cargo TK Liveturkishcargo.com
- Singapore Airlines travelling with petssingaporeair.com
- Qatar Airways travelling with animalsqatarairways.com
- Hong Kong AFCD transit termsafcd.gov.hk
- CDC-registered Animal Care Facilitycdc.gov
