Lufthansa flying with pets

What is Lufthansa’s policy on pet acceptance?

Lufthansa will accept pets for transportation either in the cabin or in an air-conditioned area of the cargo hold of the aircraft, depending on their weight and size. Pets will be accepted as baggage only when accompanied by a passenger traveling on the same aircraft. Lufthansa reserves the right to determine the manner of carriage and to limit the number of animals that may be carried on a flight. Acceptance of pets is subject to the availability of space at departure time.

All carriage of pets is subject to Lufthansa’s approval and is contingent on the fact that the animals are properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and any other documents required by countries of entry or transit.

Which pets are allowed to travel on Lufthansa flights?

Small dogs and cats may be transported in the passenger cabin. Larger dogs and cats that cannot be transported inside the cabin may be carried as checked baggage.

Each passenger may travel with a maximum of two animals either in the cabin and/or in the cargo hold: two pets in the cabin in one carrier (two young animals of comparable size and a minimum age of 12 weeks or two fully grown animals of comparable size or a mother animal with one puppy or kitten up to 6 weeks still dependent on the mother), or two pets in the cargo hold (in one or two containers), or one pet in the cabin and one in the cargo hold.

What responsibilities do I have?

Advance arrangements must be made for your pet. If you like to take your pets along on your Lufthansa flight, you must notify Lufthansa when you make your booking, but no later than 24 hours before the departure, by contacting Lufthansa Service Center by phone or Lufthansa Airport Ticket Team in person. In case of selecting a codeshare flight where the operating carrier is not Lufthansa, you must contact Lufthansa Service Center before purchasing the ticket because the booking procedure, requirements, and policies are different for different carriers.

Also, you must assume responsibility for complying with any regulations, requirements, or restrictions that apply in the country, state, or territory to which the animal is transported, and all financial obligations involved in transporting the animal (including but not limited to the cost of obtaining health certificates, quarantine charges, etc.).

Pets in the cabin

Lufthansa will accept small dogs and cats to be transported in the passenger cabin if the weight of the pet (including container) does not exceed 8 kg. The pet has to be kept in a watertight and bite-proof carrier measuring no more than 55 x 40 x 23 cm  (22 x 16 x 9 in). Only soft-sided carriers are accepted. The container must be stored under the seat directly in front of the passenger.

Fees

Pets are not included in the passenger’s free baggage allowance and a charge will have to be paid:

Checked Pets

When transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft, pets must travel in a container that meets the specifications of the IATA Live Animals Regulations. The container must be large enough to ensure that the animal can stand up and has sufficient space to move. Containers shall be equipped with a water dish (empty). For the transportation of breeds of fighting dogs, the animal must be carried in a special cage that meets the requirements laid down by IATA. Snub-nosed dogs and cats are not accepted for transportation in the hold.

One container can accommodate more than one animal, but no more than two adult animals of comparable size and weighing up to 14 kg each or three puppies up to 6 months old per container.

For the transportation of fighting dogs (breeds and crossbreeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Anatolian/Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler), the animal must be carried in a special cage which meets the requirements laid down by IATA (does not apply to puppies between 3 and 6 months old). It is forbidden to bring into Germany dogs of the following breeds: American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier (does not apply to export and transit).

The weight restriction of a maximum of 32 kg per item of baggage does not apply to the transport of animals in the cargo hold. When traveling with your pet, you must arrive at the airport in plenty of time before departure. At Frankfurt airport, you should be at the check-in counter at least 90 minutes, but not earlier than 3 hours before departure.

Fees

Checked pets are not included in the baggage allowance but counted as excess baggage. The amount charged depends on the size of the cage:

Assistance Dogs

You have the option of taking an Assistance Dog with you free of charge. However, the number of animals allowed in the cabin is limited, so a timely reservation is necessary if you wish to travel with an Assistance Dog. Because special regulations apply to the entry of animals in some countries, Lufthansa recommends that you find out about the rules in advance. The dog’s suitability for transport in the aircraft cabin may be checked. Assistance Dogs, together with containers and food, will be carried free of charge (in addition to the normal free baggage allowance).

As emotional support animals are no longer classified as Service Animals under U.S. DOT regulations, Lufthansa no longer accepts to transport emotional support animals free of charge.

More information here >>