For dogs and cats that log frequent travel — whether for work or regular visits to a second home — Korean Air has introduced a pet-focused frequent-flyer program.
The new SKYPETS program rewards animals that travel often with discounted or free travel on future trips. Pets earn one stamp for each domestic flight within Korea and two stamps for each international journey. After collecting six stamps, pet owners receive 50% off the animal fee for a domestic trip; for international discounts, the program requires 12 stamps.
According to a Korean Air representative, “Pet bookings and requests are simply added to the passenger’s itinerary after registering the pet on Korean Air’s website. Dogs, cats and birds can travel with Korean Air either in the cabin or in the cargo hold, depending on their weight and size.” Small animals that meet size and weight limits can travel in the cabin, while larger animals travel in the hold.
SKYPETS also allows pet owners to redeem stamps for free travel. Twelve stamps can be exchanged for one free domestic pet ticket, and 24 stamps secure a free international pet ticket. Stamps have a validity period of three years from the date they are issued.
Other airlines have similar pet programs. JetBlue’s JetPaws rewards pet travelers with TrueBlue points for each flight, and Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Paws program offers extra miles to Flying Club members traveling with pets.
For pet owners who travel often, these programs make planning trips with animals more affordable and predictable. Before booking, check each airline’s size, weight and health requirements, as policies vary and certain breeds or sizes may be subject to additional restrictions. Registering your pet on the airline’s website and confirming the correct travel arrangements in advance helps ensure a smoother journey for both owner and animal.