Lufthansa pet policy
Lufthansa-operated flights only. Confirm pet carriage with each operating airline on a codeshare or connection.
Last verified 4 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Lufthansa carries dogs and cats in the cabin or checked hold subject to size, route, booking and breed restrictions. Separate animal freight is available through a specialist forwarder.
- Cabin
- AllowedDogs and cats up to 8 kg including a soft carrier can travel in the cabin, subject to route restrictions and confirmation.
- Hold (checked baggage)
- RestrictedDogs and cats over the cabin weight limit can travel as checked excess baggage in the air-conditioned hold, subject to destination, breed, weather and allocation restrictions.
- Manifest cargo
- RestrictedArrange separate animal freight through a specialist forwarder; this is a different booking from a checked pet.
- Snub-nosed
- Case by caseSnub-nosed dogs and cats are barred from the checked hold. They may use the cabin within its limits; separate freight requires a forwarder’s confirmation.
Routes Lufthansa flies with pets
This is what Lufthansa offers on each route. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Route | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union → United States, dog | Quoted on request | ||||
| European Union → United States, cat | Quoted on request | ||||
| United States → European Union, dog | Quoted on request | ||||
| United States → European Union, cat | Quoted on request |
Notes
Dogs and cats must be at least 12 weeks old, or 15 weeks for carriage from, to or via Germany. Dogs travelling to the United States must be at least 6 months old. Pregnant animals are not accepted.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Checked pets are not accepted on connecting flights via Munich. Through-checking checked pets is possible via Frankfurt, subject to reservation and the other carriage requirements.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Checked pets need a container compliant with current IATA rules, secured with metal screws. Ventilation openings must not exceed 25 × 25 mm for dogs or 19 × 19 mm for cats. Confirm the complete container specification before booking; non-compliant kennels are refused at check-in.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Use a securely fastened soft carrier at most 55 × 40 × 23 cm in size. The total weight of the transport container, including the animal, must not exceed 8 kg. The animal must stand naturally, lie down and turn in the closed carrier.
All routes (dogs and cats)
For cabin pets on flights from or to the USA, register online at least 72 hours before departure. The Service Center cannot register these cabin pets.
All routes (dogs and cats)
For checked pets on flights to the USA, register online at least 72 hours before departure.
European Union → United States (dogs and cats)
New US-bound dog bookings are limited to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Newark is possible only if the dog has not been in a rabies high-risk area during the preceding six months; confirm eligibility with Lufthansa.
European Union → United States (dogs)
Lufthansa may refuse pet bookings on particular routes, including Ireland. Confirm acceptance for the exact destination before buying a ticket.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Snub-nosed dogs and cats are barred from the checked hold. They may use the cabin within its limits; separate freight requires a forwarder’s confirmation.
All routes (dogs and cats)
Where every rule above came from
- Lufthansalufthansa.com/us/en/travelling-with-animalsLufthansa-operated flights only; Lufthansa carries dogs and cats in the cabin or checked hold subject to size, route…; Route: United States → European Union; Route: European Union → United States; and 8 more
- Lufthansalufthansa.com/us/en/tiere-als-handgepaeckFee from; Use a securely fastened soft carrier at most 55 × 40 × 23 cm in size
- Lufthansalufthansa.com/us/en/dangerous-dogsSnub-nosed; Snub-nosed dogs and cats are barred from the checked hold
- Lufthansalufthansa.com/us/en/tiere-als-uebergepaeckChecked pets are not accepted on connecting flights via Munich; Checked pets need a container compliant with current IATA rules, secured with metal screws
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.