Flying With A Pet On Lufthansa Airlines – Policy, Fees, Carrier Size [Guide]

Passengers who want to travel with their furry friend but do not know how to book or whether the booking is available for the pets. Not to worry! The airline offers passengers to bring their pets while traveling on the flight. Though, there is an extra charge for carrying a pet on the flight that, depends upon the airline. Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy also offers passengers to bring small pets on the flight and has some rules and regulations that every passenger should know before booking a flight with a pet. 

Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy – Rules For Pet Travel

According to the Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy, passengers can bring their pets in-cabin, checked baggage, or in cargo, as per the weight and size of the pet. However, one must inform the airline at least 24 hours before departure. A pet fee applies to passengers who bring their pets on Lufthansa Airlines. 

Pet Travel In-Cabin Guidelines

• The minimum age of a pet should be 12 weeks.
• The maximum weight of the pet with the carrier should be at most 8 kg.
• Larger size pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin of the flight.
• All passengers can bring two pets on the flight and should be able to fit in one carrier. 

Larger Pets Can Fly As Checked Baggage On Lufthansa

• Larger pets and other animals are transported through checked baggage.
• Only one animal is accepted per carrier.
• The age of the pet should be at least 6 months.
• Passengers can carry two pets along with them.
• The weight of the pet with its carrier should not be more than 8 kg, yet paying an extra baggage fee can bring up to 14 kg. 
• Passengers with pets should reach 2 to 3 hours before departure.
• A health certificate is compulsory while traveling as checked baggage. 
• Pets cannot travel as checked baggage to destinations like Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. 

Rules For Pet Travel In Cargo

• The age of a pet should be a minimum of 16 weeks for traveling to/from the US, and for traveling to other countries, the minimum age should be 12 weeks. 
• The airline does not transport live animals from Kuwait. 
• A health certificate should be issued within 10 days of travel, including proof of rabies vaccination and the documents required by every country. 

Don’t Forget to Provide a Veterinary Health Certificate

A veterinarian health certificate is mandatory for each pet traveling on Lufthansa that must be issued within 10 days of departure. Moreover, passengers should submit rabies and different forms according to the destination country’s norms.

Pet Carrier Dimensions Requirements

• Pet carriers approved by the current IATA regulations are considerable. 
• The size of the carrier should be large enough that animals can move freely.
• Empty food bowls and water bowls will be included. 
• The pet carrier size must not exceed the following:
  • In-cabin: 55*40*23 cm
  • Checked baggage: 125*75*85 cm
  • In-cargo: 125*75*85 cm

Lufthansa has issued further guidelines for Pet Carrier:

• The carrier should be made of non-toxic plastic or wood.
• Injury-proof
• Tacked with screws and not a plastic locking mechanism. 
• Enough space for the animals to stand, lie, and turn around.
• Accurate ventilation for all sides of the carrier.
• No sharp edges or corners that can injure the animal.
• The carrier should not have wheels or castors. 
• It should be fixed with centrally attached bars on both sides. 

Pet Breeds Not Eligible For Travel On Lufthansa Airlines

The below-listed breeds are not eligible for travel in the cabin:

• Rottweilers
• Karabash
• Dogo Argentino 
• American pit bull terrier
• American Bulldog

The following breeds are not eligible to travel as checked baggage:

• Mastiff
• Pitbull
• Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Boxer

How To Add Your Pet On Lufthansa Bookings?

Passengers traveling with pets can book their seats by calling the Lufthansa support team. The executive will guide them with all the measures that have to be kept in mind. However, confirm the booking number for adding the pet to the booking. The executive will ask the passengers to pay the pet fee of Lufthansa Airlines. Once the booking is completed, a confirmation mail will be sent to the mail address. 

To make changes to your and your pet’s booking, you can use the online Lufthansa Airlines Manage Booking facility.

Pet Travel Fees Charged At Lufthansa Airlines

The airline charges a specific fee to bring a pet along with the passengers. The price might vary from the size of the pet and the destination. Therefore, there are different prices for flights within Europe compared to international destinations. 

Service Animals Can Fly Free Of Charge 

Service pets can travel with their owners free of charge. Therefore, flights apart from the US require a training center form in advance to be submitted to Lufthansa medical center. Passengers must give the pre-approval form they receive from the airline at check-in. 

• According to the Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy, the airline does not allow emotional support animals as service animals.
• Animals apart from dogs, comfort animals, and companion animals are not accepted as service animals.
• Recognized service animals only include dogs allowed to travel free of charge on Lufthansa for all domestic and international travel. 
• Passengers should register and confirm with the airline about traveling with a service dog by completing the form 48 hours before departure. 

Traveling With Emotional Support Animals 

While traveling on Lufthansa, emotional support animals can only fly in the cabin or on direct flights to/from the United States. Their ESA needs to fly in airline compliant pet carrier for flights outside the United States. Passengers must submit a health certificate issued by a certified doctor within 48 hours of departure. The airline will notify about the approval that passengers have to carry two copies of that approval. Flyers are recommended to get further details on travel eligibility for service animals from the Lufthansa website.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does Lufthansa allow pets?

Yes, Lufthansa Airlines allows small pets like cats or dogs to travel with their owners in the cabin if the pets are small enough to fit in, and for larger pets, the airline considers them as checked baggage in the plane. 

What is the Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy for in-cabin pets?

In Lufthansa, small pets are allowed in-cabin of the flight. The minimum age of a pet should be 12 weeks. However, the maximum weight of the pet with the carrier should be at most 8 kg. Each passenger can bring two pets on the flight and should be able to fit in one carrier. 

Can I check in online while traveling with a pet?

Yes, the airline allows passengers to check in online with pets. Therefore, they must collect their boarding pass from the check-in counter at the airport. 

Does Lufthansa allow pets in business class?

Lufthansa Airline allows passengers to book their tickets in any of the classes, even if traveling with pets. Small pets can also travel on business or first-class the flight. 

What is Lufthansa Pet premium?

Pet Premium on Lufthansa is a service for dogs and cats on flights with layovers in Frankfurt. This service includes handling, care, and service like an animal lounge, proactive communications, photo on arrival, animal accommodation, and many more. 

How many pets are allowed on Lufthansa Airlines?

Each passenger can carry up to 2 pets on the flight that can fit in one carrier. Thus, the airline offers this service on a first-come and first-serve basis. So, book in advance for the pet as well. 

How to add a pet on Lufthansa? 

Passengers can call the Lufthansa Airlines support team to add their pet to their booking. Therefore, one must inform the airline at least 24 hours before departure. 

What are the documents required in Lufthansa’s pet policy? 

A veterinarian health certificate is mandatory for each pet traveling on Lufthansa that must be issued within 10 days of departure. Moreover, passengers should submit rabies and different forms according to the destination country’s norms.

What should be the size of the carrier in-cabin?

The carrier should be made of non-toxic plastic or wood and have enough space for the animals to stand, lie, and turn around, with proper ventilation for all sides of the carrier. The dimension of the carrier must be 55*40*23 cm.

What is the price to add a pet on Lufthansa for the United States?

The airline charges a specific fee from the passengers traveling with their pets. Thus, the fee depends upon the size of the pet and the destination. The cost for adding a pet to the United States would be USD 120 in-cabin and, as checked baggage, USD 195.