Flying with your dog to Asia
Are you interested in flying with your dog to Asia? While flying with your dog is theoretically possible, finding an airline that accepts them can be more complicated. In this article, I list several airlines that accept your dog on a plane to Asia. Ready for takeoff? Go!
What if your next destination was in Asia? There is no shortage of discoveries! With your dog, you could explore the gigantic landscapes of Mongolia, visit the temple regions of Thailand, or even swim in the wild beaches of Malaysia. Activities that would please Musher, for sure!
Each country has its own entry requirements for dogs. So you need to find out before flying with your dog to Asia. Indeed, if you do not have all the paperwork completed on the right dates, your dog risks up to 6 months of quarantine!
Don't panic! I'll help you understand these conditions and find the right airline to fly to your chosen Asian destination . Let's go, flying with your dog to Asia!
Summary
Conditions for dogs entering Asia by plane
Asia, along with Africa, is the continent most affected by rabies . Given the number of stray dogs in most Asian countries, eradication is very difficult. For this reason, entry requirements for dogs into Asia, particularly by air, are very strict and sometimes restrictive.
Before flying to Asia, your dog will need to have a rabies antibody titer test. What is that? It's simply a blood test that allows the veterinarian to check that your dog has enough rabies antibodies for the duration of your trip together. If so, the veterinarian will give you a certificate that serves as proof and is required by the airline.
If you are traveling to a country with a high risk of rabies, you will also need to have one done in that country, in order to be allowed to fly home with your dog!
Airlines also require an international health certificate , issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of your flight. This certificate confirms that your dog is fit to fly to Asia. It is a requirement for dogs traveling by air to all Asian countries.
Some countries require you to complete an import permit for your dog several weeks in advance. Also, mandatory vaccinations are not the same everywhere , except for rabies, which is common.
In addition to these documents, depending on the destination, your dog may be required to quarantine for a few days . However, this can be avoided with a rabies antibody titer test , so it's important not to overlook this! Please note that if your dog is required to quarantine, you must book and pay for its stay at a veterinary clinic in advance!
Examples: a minimum quarantine of 7 days is mandatory in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a minimum of 10 days in New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Furthermore, you will not be able to fly to certain Asian countries with your dog :
- En India, tourist dogs are prohibited from entering the territory.
- En Australia, the entry conditions for dogs are very restrictive and airlines do not take the risk of accepting them on board. Indeed, there is a strong chance that he will have to undergo a quarantine of several weeks upon arrival.
- Some islands in Indonesia are prohibited to foreign dogs because rabies is too prevalent.
You've understood, before taking the plane with your dog to Asia, your best friend will be your anticipation!
Do you need to buy an IATA-compliant transport crate for your dog? Choose the best one with our comparison of the 10 best dog transport crates.
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The plane with a dog to Asia: cabin and hold
In Asia, the vision of dogs is quite different from that in Europe. Indeed, historically, they are not at all perceived as pets. It has only been about fifteen years that populations, especially those in large cities, have adopted dogs for their company.
So there are few airlines in Asia that accept dogs in the cabin and in the hold of the plane. However, I found 2 gems for you! A priori, you will therefore be able to take the plane with your dog to Asia, if it can enter the cabin or the hold.
Asiana Airlines
With Asiana Airlines, you can fly with your dog to destinations all over Asia. From Japan to Nepal, from Indonesia to Mongolia, you can travel with your canine companion!
To ensure your dog is allowed in the cabin , here are the criteria to be met:
- Soft bag length 49 x width 40 x height 21 cm maximum
- Combined weight of dog and bag less than 7 kg
- 1 dog per passenger maximum
Larger dogs may be accepted in the aircraft hold under these conditions:
- Box with total dimensions (length + width + height) maximum 285 cm and maximum height 84 cm
- Combined weight of dog(s) and crate less than 45 kg or 32 kg depending on the aircraft model
- A blanket is required for the dog's comfort, and to absorb in case he relieves himself in the crate.
- Dogs with snub noses are prohibited
- Some dogs of so-called “dangerous” breeds and their crosses may be authorized, contact the company so that they can inform you on a case-by-case basis.
- 2 dogs per passenger maximum. They can travel together if they are 2 puppies under 6 months old and of the same size.
However, some dogs are prohibited :
- Dogs under sedation or tranquilization
- Pregnant females
Korean Air
This Korean airline will, of course, take you to South Korea , but also to many countries throughout East and Central Asia . Good news: they accept dogs on board ! If you have two puppies under six months old, they can travel together in the same carrier, in the cabin or in the hold.
The conditions for your dog to accompany you in the cabin are as follows:
- Soft bag length 45 x width 32 x height 19 cm maximum
- Cumulative weight of dog(s) and bag less than 7 kg
- Snub-nosed dogs are allowed under certain conditions, you must contact the airline to find out. They also depend on the flight you are planning.
To allow your dog to travel in the aircraft hold , certain conditions must be met:
- Box with total dimensions (length + width + height) maximum 291 cm and maximum height 84 cm
- Cumulative weight of dog(s) and crate less than 45 kg or 32 kg depending on the aircraft model and destination region
- A blanket is required for the dog's comfort, but also to absorb in case he relieves himself in the crate.
- Dogs with snub noses are prohibited
Dogs prohibited on airplanes are:
- Dogs under sedation or tranquilization
- Pregnant females
- Dogs of so-called “dangerous” breeds and their crosses
Flying with a dog to Asia: only in the hold
The airlines I am introducing to you now allow dogs only in the hold of their planes. If your dog is too big, too heavy or you have several and they cannot fit in the hold, some companies offer a cargo service. Your dog will therefore travel on a different plane than you.
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
All Nippon Airways will drop you and your dog off by plane mainly in major Japanese cities (Tokyo, Okinawa, Osaka…) , but also in other countries in East Asia and Central Asia.
Please note, this company requires a minimum 12-hour quarantine for your dog if you are coming from a country where rabies has been eradicated, which is the case for France.
The conditions for your dog to travel in the hold of the same plane as you are as follows:
- Box with total dimensions (length + width + height) maximum 292 cm
- Combined weight of dog(s) and crate less than 45 kg
- 1 dog per crate maximum
- Toys are not allowed in the crate, and the dog must not wear a leash.
- The dog can wear a collar only if it fits snugly around its neck.
Dogs prohibited in the aircraft hold are:
- Pregnant females
- Dogs under sedation or tranquilization
- Snub-nosed dogs from May 1 to October 31 (they are allowed the rest of the year)
Jal airlines
Jal Airlines, or Japan Airlines, specializes in flights to Japan . However, you can also fly to Indonesia , Malaysia , or South Korea with your dog.
To be allowed in the hold , the following criteria must be met:
- The dimensions of the crate should be adapted to the size of your dog
- Combined weight of dog(s) and crate less than 32 kg
- 1 dog per crate maximum
- A passenger can declare a maximum of 100 kg of “luggage” in the hold, including dog(s) and crate(s).
Dogs prohibited on board aircraft are:
- Pregnant females
- Bulldogs (French, English, American, etc.)
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways specializes in destinations in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam! You can therefore take a plane with your dog to these Asian destinations.
However, your dog will have to travel in the hold if it meets these criteria:
- The dimensions of the crate should be adapted to the size of your dog
- Combined weight of the dog(s) and the crate less than 40 kg. If the weight exceeds, you can contact the company, there is a way to make arrangements 😉
- 1 dog per crate. If you want to put 2, same, contact the company directly
- Dogs with snub noses are prohibited
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines primarily operates flights to Malaysia . However, dogs are not generally allowed on board their aircraft. While they are definitely not permitted in the cabin, their status in the hold varies depending on the individual circumstances . In all cases, your dog and its carrier must weigh less than 32 kg, and brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed dogs) are prohibited.
The company recommends that you contact the associated freight service MABkargo.
A short flight with your dog: from Asia to Oceania, it’s just a step away
Here's an airline that allows dogs to travel with you to Oceania!
Air Tahiti Nui
Off to… Tahiti ! Or rather, French Polynesia 😍 But that's not all! With Air Tahiti Nui, you can also fly with your dog to New Zealand and New Caledonia ! Okay, so it's more in Oceania than Asia, but geographically, it's still close, right? I couldn't pass up these destinations, especially since it's the only airline that allows dogs to fly there!
These are truly destinations that make me dream… The turquoise water, the cliffs, the schools of fish… A bit like my Brittany, except that the weather is nice there and the sea is much warmer! A joy for Musher and me, if we go there out of season W'ouf Course! Unfortunately, it is much easier to get there by plane with a small dog than with a big one… I'll let you discover why.
To have your dog accepted in the aircraft cabin, you must:
- Soft bag or rigid box of length 40 x width 35 x height 20 cm maximum
- Cumulative weight of dog(s) and bag less than 8 kg
- 2 dogs max per container
- Category 1 and 2 dogs are prohibited
This airline does not allow dogs to travel in the hold. If your dog cannot enter the aircraft cabin, you can contact Air Tahiti Nui Cargo.
And that's it for dog-friendly airlines to fly with a dog to Asia. Well, I'll give you time to absorb all this information. It's not easy to find the ideal airline to fly with your dog. And Asia offers so many possible discoveries! It's hard to choose!
Plenty more tips on Asia in this article: Traveling to the other side of the world with your dog.
So you've made up your mind? You're definitely going to Asia with your dog soon. To prepare for these long-haul flights, be sure to read our guide to traveling by plane with a dog . You'll be all set! 👌
