Dog’s Death on Korean Air Flight Sparks Calls for Greater Transparency

On September 3, a dog named Bubble was found dead in its crate after traveling in the cargo hold of Korean Air flight KE 868 from Guangzhou, China, to Incheon, South Korea. The owner, Jennifer, posted a photo of the deceased animal on September 4, expressing shock and demanding answers. She had paid roughly $4,000 for a business-class ticket and an additional $300 for the pet’s transport, noting that Bubble had previously flown in the cabin but was required to travel as cargo because of her size.

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A Korean Air spokesperson told the outlet that environmental control systems essential for animal transport functioned normally throughout the flight and that all other pets on the same aircraft arrived safely. The airline said it had communicated “available information” to the customer but declined to release further details, citing privacy laws and the need to handle the matter directly with the passenger.

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FlyTogether.org, represented by founder Sonia Aguado, launched a Change.org petition titled “Justice for BUBBLE,” which has gathered more than 2,200 signatures. The organization’s incident log records 20 animal deaths, 15 injuries, 21 escapes, and eight unrecovered animals since its 2021 inception. Aguado argues that the case highlights a broader problem with companion-animal cargo transport and calls for systemic change, including a forthcoming European Citizen Initiative aimed at improving airport protocols for pets.

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report noted nearly 100 complaints involving animals in the first half of 2026, with 64 concerning U.S. airlines and 29 involving foreign carriers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) maintains that millions of animals are transported safely each year, though larger pets often must travel in cargo holds.

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• “Korean Air, I handed you my little girl alive. You returned her body to me. I was in the same airport looking for her, while nearly two hours of her final journey remain unexplained. Please help me find out what happened to Bubble.” — Threads

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• “Upon arrival of flight KE 868 from Guangzhou to Incheon, the dog was found deceased in its crate.” — Evidence’ About Incident Jennifer

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• “I have not received a single piece of evidence, official report, footage, or transportation record” — Evidence’ About Incident Jennifer

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• “We do not want Bubble’s story to be seen simply as one tragic case but to help expose a much larger problem and contribute to meaningful changes that can prevent other families and animals from experiencing the same thing.” — Sonia Aguado, the founder and head of FlyTogether

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• “Our position is that this urgently needs to change,” — Sonia Aguado, the founder and head of FlyTogether

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