LG Uplus’s pet community platform, ‘Podong’, is launching round-trip airline packages to Jeju Island that allow pet dogs on board, aiming to innovate customer experiences for the 5.52 million pet households in South Korea.

Podong, introduced by LG Uplus in July 2022 to enhance the customer experience for pet owners, has developed the ‘DBTI (Dog Behavior Type Indicator)’, which helps understand specific behaviors of pet dogs and provides behavior correction guides. It has become a leading pet-related platform in South Korea, utilized by over 440,000 people. Additional services include expert consultations where veterinarians and trainers directly respond to inquiries from pet owners and a dedicated commerce platform for pet households.

According to KB Management Research Institute’s ‘2023 Korean Pet Report’, the number of pet households in South Korea was estimated at 5.52 million as of the end of 2022. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization in November last year found that 81.6% of respondents traveled with their pets, and 34.3% noted the need for expanded pet seating on airplanes and ships.

In response, LG Uplus has partnered with Jeju Air and the Korea Tourism Organization to operate dedicated flights for dogs traveling between Gimpo and Jeju. These flights are scheduled for April 5th and 8th on the Gimpo-Jeju route. Each package includes two guardians and one dog, making a total of three seats available at a price of 598,000 KRW. Pre-registration can be done on the Podong platform starting from the 27th, and purchases will be available soon.

The greatest advantage of this travel package is the ability to sit beside your dog without worrying about non-pet passengers in the cabin. Previously, pet owners had to keep their dogs in a cage under the seat during flights, which often led to discomfort. This initiative allows pet owners to enjoy a much more comfortable travel experience.

With a record 57 dogs expected to board, the three parties involved have ensured that safety measures are paramount. Essential checks include verifying pet registration documents and vaccination proofs before boarding. They will also provide dedicated cages for pets to use in-flight. A veterinarian will accompany the flight to handle any emergency situations as well. Additionally, safety instructions specifically for pet households have been created and placed in the seat back pouches in the front rows of the aircraft.

In order to create wonderful memories for pet-owning customers, a program concept termed ‘Canine Kindergarten Field Trip in the Sky’ is also planned. This program likens the journey of boarding and disembarking for dogs to a school trip with friends.

Prior to boarding (enrollment), a simple ceremony will be held near the domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport in a green space called ‘Pet Park’, where items such as enrollment certificates, hats, and capes will be presented as gifts. This will also include commemorative photos and a walk to ease the dogs’ nerves. Then the dogs will go through a dedicated security checkpoint for pets and board the airplane comfortably (enrollment), before greeting the crew and taking off.

LG Uplus has also been considerate of passengers waiting to board regular flights at the airport. They will provide a ‘Sorry Snack Kit’ for those who may experience discomfort due to noise and have cooperated with the Korea Airport Corporation to establish a dedicated security screening and boarding gate for pets to minimize contact with regular passengers.

The operation of this dog-friendly flight service has been jointly promoted with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Jeju Tourism Corporation, and the Korea Airport Corporation. Previously, on March 5, LG Uplus signed a business agreement with the Korea Tourism Organization and Jeju Air to promote travel with pets and enhance cooperation on related product development.

Yeom Sang-pil, LG Uplus’s managing director, stated, “The launch of a charter flight for dogs is a new initiative that will begin creating a new trend in pet travel. We will continue to understand the needs and inconveniences of pet owners and introduce products that enhance the customer experience and satisfaction of pet owners.”

Meanwhile, LG Uplus offers various pet services for pet owners. These include CCTV products like ‘Momca’ that allow checking on pets left home alone, a ‘remote feeding device’ that dispenses food from anywhere at any time, and a ‘Pet Toy’ that places treats in toys to encourage dogs to play independently. They also offer a space rental service referred to as ‘Madang Space’, often dubbed ‘the Airbnb for pets’.

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr