"Tell Me What Happened": Pet Dog Dies After Flight, Korean Air Responds

Chinese Owner Demands CCTV and Transport Records
Korean Air States "No Irregularities in Cabin Environment"

A controversy is growing after a Golden Retriever entrusted to the cargo hold on a Korean Air flight was found dead during transport. The Chinese pet owner is demanding the disclosure of CCTV footage and transportation and handover records, asking for clarification about what happened during the approximately two hours after landing before the dog was returned. Korean Air maintains that there were no issues with the in-cabin conditions required for transporting pets.

Golden Retriever Bubble and Ryang Jinwon. Instagram jenn_jwww

On September 4, a Chinese woman named Jingwen Liang posted on her social media account that her Golden Retriever, "Bubble," had died while being transported on a Korean Air flight, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident. Bubble was a Golden Retriever about to turn six years old and had lived with Liang for around five years. Liang described Bubble as her "emotional support dog" and family. The incident occurred on September 3 on Korean Air flight KE868 from Guangzhou, China to Incheon International Airport. At the time, Liang and Bubble were traveling through Incheon en route to the United States.

The part Liang found most questionable was the roughly two-hour period after landing until she was able to check on Bubble. On social media, Liang stated, "Immediately after landing, I went to the transfer counter and waited for Bubble right there," adding, "For almost two hours, I had no idea where my dog was." She continued, "I want to know when the problem occurred, when he died, and whether anyone checked his breathing or heartbeat." She also asked, "Was a veterinarian called? Was there any attempt to save him?" Liang is requesting to see records that could prove whether Bubble was already deceased when removed from the aircraft.

Liang said she requested from Korean Air the CCTV footage, records related to the transportation, unloading, and handover of her dog, staff reports, medical records, and documents verifying the dog’s death. She added, "If evidence proves that the airline bears no responsibility, I will accept that as well," emphasizing, "What I want is not to assign blame but to see the evidence showing what actually happened." According to Liang, she has yet to receive either documentation verifying the cause of death or a death certificate.

Korean Air made a statement on the 7th through its official SNS. Korean Air expressed, "We offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the customer who lost their beloved pet dog," and explained, "When flight KE868, which departed from Guangzhou, arrived in Incheon and the door was opened, unfortunately, the pet dog was found already deceased inside the cage." Korean Air Instagram

As the controversy intensified, Korean Air made an official statement through its SNS channels on September 7. Korean Air said, "We offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the customer who lost their beloved pet dog," and explained, "When flight KE868, which departed from Guangzhou, arrived in Incheon and the door was opened, unfortunately, the pet dog was found already deceased inside the cage."

Korean Air went on to say, "Other pets were also on board this flight," and that "The in-cabin environment required for pet transport was maintained properly, and no other pets experienced any health problems." The airline stated that it explained the circumstances to the dog’s owner on the day of the incident and is addressing any further inquiries.

Liang, however, maintains that Korean Air’s explanation does not resolve her questions. She says the fact that other pets arrived safely and in-cabin systems were functioning correctly cannot alone explain the cause of Bubble’s death. Even after Korean Air released its statement, she again requested, "Many people are asking what happened to Bubble and why he died, but I also do not know," adding, "I do not want to speculate. I need concrete answers and evidence."

Finally, Liang has filed an official complaint, a compensation claim, and a request to preserve related evidence with Korean Air. At the end of her social media post, Liang appealed, "I entrusted you with my child alive, but what I received in return was his body," and pleaded, "Please give me back those missing hours from his life. Tell me when he died, what happened, and whether anyone tried to save him."

According to the Korean Air website, if the combined weight of a pet and its transport container is 7 kilograms or less, in-cabin transport is permitted under certain conditions. For cargo hold transport, the combined weight must be 45 kilograms or less. Korean Air notes that pets entrusted to the cargo hold are loaded into cargo areas where ventilation, temperature, and lighting can be controlled. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, which are at relatively higher risk of breathing difficulties or death during air travel, are restricted from cargo hold transportation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.