Lufthansa Pet Policy 2026: Complete Travel Guide

Lufthansa allows small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin if they weigh 8 kg (17.6 lbs) or less, including the carrier.

Larger pets must travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold as excess baggage or via Lufthansa Cargo.

The airline has strict breed restrictions, particularly for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) animals, and requires advance booking at least 72 hours before departure.

Who Can Fly in the Cabin on Lufthansa

Lufthansa restricts in-cabin pet travel to dogs and cats only. Your pet must weigh 8 kg (17.6 lbs) or less when combined with the carrier. No exceptions are made for this weight limit, regardless of cabin class.

You can bring up to two animals of the same species in the cabin with advance approval, though availability depends on aircraft type. If traveling with multiple pets and the combined weight exceeds 8 kg, some must travel in the cargo hold.

Age Requirements by Route

• Standard routes: Minimum 12 weeks old
• Germany routes (from, to, or via): Minimum 15 weeks old
• USA routes (dogs only): Minimum 6 months old (CDC requirement)

Carrier Requirements and Specifications

Your pet carrier must not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches). This is a hard limit, as the carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you. Measure carefully before departure.

Lufthansa requires carriers to be watertight and bite-proof. Soft-sided carriers are generally preferred for cabin travel since they fit more easily under seats, but hard carriers meeting dimensional and safety requirements are also accepted.

Required Carrier Features

• Secure closures that your pet cannot open from inside
• Adequate ventilation on at least two sides
• Waterproof bottom to contain accidents
• Enough space for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably
• Sturdy construction that won’t collapse under pressure

Place a familiar blanket or small toy inside the carrier for comfort. Avoid bulky items that reduce available space for your pet to move.

How to Book Your Pet’s Flight

You must register your pet at least 72 hours before departure. Lufthansa does not allow same-day pet bookings. You have three booking options:

If flying to or from the United States, use the dedicated USA registration form on Lufthansa’s website to ensure CDC compliance.

• Book your own ticket first (pet registration requires a confirmed passenger reservation)
• Wait for your booking confirmation email
• Access “My Bookings” or the registration form at least 72 hours before departure
• Provide your pet’s species, breed, weight (including carrier), and carrier dimensions
• Upload or prepare required health documents
• Wait for email confirmation from Lufthansa (usually within 24-48 hours)
• Print two copies of your confirmation for check-in

Fees: What You’ll Actually Pay

Lufthansa does not publish specific pet fees on its website. Fees vary by route type, destination, and whether your pet travels in cabin or hold. You pay at airport check-in after your pet is confirmed for travel.

Fee Structure Overview

• Cabin pet fees differ for domestic European flights, intercontinental routes, and flights to/from the USA
• Hold travel (excess baggage) fees are typically higher than cabin fees and may be calculated by weight
• Fees are charged in the local currency of your departure country (EUR in Europe, USD in the USA)
• Seasonal surcharges may apply during extreme weather periods when special handling is required

To get an exact fee quote, contact the Lufthansa Service Center with your specific route and travel dates. Have your booking reference ready when you call.

Check-In Process With Your Pet

You cannot use self-service kiosks or online-only check-in when traveling with a cabin pet. You must go to the ticket counter to collect your boarding pass, even if you checked in online.

• Two printed copies of your pet registration confirmation email
• Health certificate (original, not a copy)
• Vaccination records
• Government-required forms (CDC Dog Import Form for USA, EU Pet Passport for Europe)
• Your pet in the approved carrier
• Payment method for pet fees

The check-in agent will verify your pet’s weight by weighing the carrier with your pet inside. If you exceed 8 kg, your pet cannot travel in the cabin, even by a few grams. You’ll need to rebook for cargo hold travel or reschedule your flight.

If your pet is traveling in the cargo hold as excess baggage, you cannot use self-service bag drop. You must check in at the counter and hand over your pet in its crate to airline staff.

Service Dogs and Assistance Animals

Lufthansa allows trained assistance dogs to travel in the cabin free of charge, regardless of size. This includes guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs, and other disability assistance dogs.

You must provide at least 48 hours advance notice when booking. Complete Lufthansa’s assistance dog requirements form (available on their website) and submit it with your booking.

Required Documentation for Assistance Dogs

• Proof of training from a recognized assistance dog organization
• Health certificate and vaccination records
• CDC Dog Import Form for flights to the USA (submit online before travel and print confirmation)
• Any destination-specific import permits

Present all documentation at check-in. Your assistance dog must wear a harness or vest identifying it as a working animal and remain under your control at all times.

Emotional Support Animals: Not Accepted

Lufthansa stopped accepting emotional support animals (ESAs) in 2021, following similar policy changes across the airline industry.

Only trained assistance dogs for specific disabilities qualify for in-cabin travel without a carrier.

A letter from a therapist or doctor stating you benefit from an emotional support animal does not grant any special travel privileges.

Cargo Hold Travel: When Your Pet Is Too Large for the Cabin

Dogs and cats over 8 kg (including carrier weight) must travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold as excess baggage. Lufthansa calls this “AVIH” (Animal in Hold) service.

Your pet travels on the same flight as you, in a pressurized and temperature-controlled section of the aircraft. This is different from Lufthansa Cargo’s manifest cargo service, which is used for unaccompanied pets, very large animals, or species other than dogs and cats.

Weight and Crate Requirements for Hold Travel

• No maximum weight specified for hold travel (within aircraft capacity limits)
• Two adult pets of the same species can share one container if they weigh up to 14 kg combined
• Container must be IATA-compliant (International Air Transport Association standards)
• Crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down
• Ventilation on at least three sides for international flights
• Secure door with locking mechanism that cannot be opened from inside
• Waterproof floor with absorbent bedding
• Food and water containers attached inside (accessible from outside for refilling)

Breed Restrictions You Need to Know

Lufthansa banned all brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and cats from cargo hold travel effective January 1, 2020. This ban is permanent and applies to both excess baggage (AVIH) and manifest cargo shipments.

Brachycephalic breeds have shortened skulls and flat faces, which make them vulnerable to respiratory distress during flight. Even with climate control, the stress and pressure changes can be dangerous for these breeds.

Brachycephalic Breeds Banned from Cargo Hold

Dogs:

• Bulldogs (English, French, American)
• Pugs
• Boston Terriers
• Boxers
• Shih Tzus
• Pekingese
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Mastiffs
• Shar Peis

Cats:

• Persians
• Himalayans
• British Shorthairs
• Scottish Folds
• Exotic Shorthairs

Cabin travel may still be possible for small brachycephalic pets under 8 kg, but Lufthansa’s policy pages are not entirely clear on this. Contact the airline directly with your specific breed before booking.

Required Documents and Health Certificates

Every pet needs a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must be dated within a specific timeframe before travel, typically 10 days, but this varies by destination country.

Standard Documentation for All Flights

• Health certificate (original document, not a photocopy)
• Rabies vaccination record (current and valid for the entire trip)
• Proof of other required vaccinations (varies by destination)
• Microchip documentation (required for EU travel and many other destinations)

EU Travel Requirements

If flying within the European Union or from the EU to certain other countries, your pet needs an EU Pet Passport. This blue booklet contains all health and vaccination records in a standardized format. Your vet can issue one if your pet is microchipped and vaccinated.

USA Travel Requirements

Dogs entering the United States must comply with CDC regulations. As of 2024, this includes completing the CDC Dog Import Form online before travel. You’ll receive a confirmation receipt to print and bring to check-in. The form requires information about your dog’s rabies vaccination, microchip, and travel history.

Direct flights from certain countries to the USA may not require the CDC form, but connecting flights typically do. Check current CDC requirements at least two weeks before your flight.

Many countries require import permits, additional health tests (such as rabies titer tests), or quarantine. Research your destination’s pet import rules at least three months before travel. Your veterinarian and the destination country’s embassy or consulate can provide guidance.

Routes Where Cabin Travel Is Restricted or Banned

Not all Lufthansa routes accept cabin pets. Some destinations prohibit in-cabin animal transport entirely due to local regulations or airport restrictions.

Route-Specific Restrictions

UK and Ireland:

Flights to the United Kingdom and Ireland may refuse cabin pet travel. The UK has strict animal import rules that often require pets to travel as manifest cargo rather than passenger baggage. Verify with Lufthansa whether your specific route allows cabin pets before booking.

USA Airports:

Lufthansa limits cabin pet travel to specific US airports: Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington Reagan (DCA), and Newark (EWR). Additional conditions may apply depending on season and aircraft type.

If flying to a US city not on this list, your pet must travel as cargo.

Codeshare Flights:

If your Lufthansa ticket includes a flight operated by a partner airline (such as United, Air Canada, or other Star Alliance members), the operating airline’s pet policy applies to that segment. A pet approved for Lufthansa’s cabin may not be allowed on the partner airline’s cabin.

Lufthansa Cargo for Unaccompanied Pets or Restricted Routes

Lufthansa Cargo operates a separate service for pets that cannot travel as passenger baggage.

When to Use Lufthansa Cargo

• Unaccompanied pets (when the pet travels alone without the owner on the same flight)
• Pets over the weight limit for excess baggage
• Species other than dogs and cats
• Routes where cabin and hold options are not available
• Brachycephalic breeds (banned from hold, too large for cabin)

Lufthansa Cargo requires advance booking and separate fees from passenger ticket costs. Contact Lufthansa Cargo directly at +49 1806 747100 (Germany) or through their website. They will arrange pickup, transport, and delivery of your pet.

Manifest cargo is more expensive than excess baggage but provides specialized handling and tracking. Your pet is treated as cargo freight with dedicated animal handling staff at origin and destination airports.

Your Questions About Lufthansa’s Pet Policy

Can I book my pet’s cabin spot online at the same time I book my ticket?

No. You must first complete your own ticket purchase, then register your pet separately through “My Bookings” or a registration form. The pet registration system requires an existing booking reference number.

What happens if my pet is slightly over 8 kg at check-in?

Your pet will not be allowed in the cabin, even if it’s only a few hundred grams over the limit. The 8 kg maximum (including carrier) is strictly enforced. You would need to rebook your pet for cargo hold travel, which may not be available on the same flight, or reschedule your entire trip. Weigh your pet at home in the carrier before heading to the airport.

Do I need to book a specific seat if I’m traveling with a cabin pet?

You cannot sit in exit rows or certain bulkhead seats with a cabin pet. Lufthansa’s system should automatically restrict these seats when your pet is registered, but double-check your seat assignment after confirmation. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, which is not possible in exit rows or some first-row seats.

Can my cat or small dog stay in my lap during the flight?

No. Your pet must remain in the carrier, fully zipped or closed, for the entire flight, including taxi, takeoff, and landing. You cannot take your pet out for any reason during the flight. This is a safety regulation that applies to all passengers.

How do I know if my dog’s breed is considered brachycephalic?

If your dog has a flat face, shortened muzzle, and pronounced skin folds around the nose, it’s likely brachycephalic. Common examples include Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers. If you’re unsure, ask your veterinarian or contact Lufthansa with your dog’s breed before booking. Mixed breeds with brachycephalic characteristics may also be restricted.

What if my connecting flight is operated by a different airline?

You must verify that every airline on your itinerary accepts pets in the same travel class. If you book a Lufthansa ticket but one segment is operated by United, Swiss, or another partner, check that partner’s pet policy separately. The operating airline’s rules apply to each flight segment. If any segment prohibits your pet, you cannot complete the journey as booked.

This article is for informational purposes only. Airline policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the airline before booking.