Lufthansa Pet Policy

When you want to take your dog or cat with you, it is possible if you choose Lufthansa. It is a prestigious air operator in the aviation industry. Hence, you will be provided with passenger-friendly and highly flexible policies. The Lufthansa pet policy is no different. So, before you decide to take your fur baby on the next trip, do not forget to read the policy and associated rules.

Lufthansa Pet Travel Rules

The airline offers the service to transfer animals from one destination to another in the safest way possible. It can be done either as a carry-on item in the cabin or simply as excess baggage via the cargo facilities in the air-conditioned aircraft. 

Some rules and regulations of the pet policy have been listed here that every passenger should know:

• Only small cats and dogs will be allowed as carry-on baggage in the cabin.
• Big cats and dogs will not be permitted in the cabin, irrespective of size and weight.
• The maximum weight of the animal should be up to 8 kg.
• Every passenger will need to register online for a pet at least 72 hours before the flight’s departure time.
• For offline registration, passengers can go to the Lufthansa Service Center at least 24 hours before the expected departure.
• You will require veterinary documentation for your cat or dog.

Note: Accepting cats/dogs in the cabin is subject to space availability. So, check with the airline to know if it has space available or not.

How to Register for Pets on Lufthansa Airlines Online?

As per the policy of Lufthansa for pets in the cabin, registration is mandatory to take your cat/dog in the cabin with you. It can be done online by completing the following steps:

• Visit the official website of Lufthansa.
• Go to the “Travel with Pets” page.
• Here, you will get to see the registration form’s link. Click on it.
• Upon this, a new page will open carrying the registration form.
• Fill out all the requested details such as the passenger’s name, address, booking code, etc.
• Once you are done with it, pay the applicable fee.
• Lastly, you will get the confirmation mail and message on your registered email ID or phone number.

While booking, ensure that all the personal details like names are correctly added. Otherwise, you should always check the rules related to changing Lufthansa’s name on the ticket in case you want to do it for any reason.

Booking for Cats/Dogs Offline 

In case you are unable to fill out and submit the registration form online, do not fret. As per the pet policy, you can do it offline at the airport ticket counter. You just need to keep 2 copies of the duly filled and signed registration form with you. This will be submitted at the counter at the time of check-in. 

Lufthansa Airlines Pet Carrier Size

According to the pet policy of Lufthansa, you will only be allowed to bring your animal in an approved carrier. In addition to this, you will need to buy a carrier that has the dimension 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm. Along with this, the animal’s kennel should be:

• Leak-proof
• Odor-proof
• Soft-padded
• Well-ventilated
• Spacious
• Securely locked

Additional Information about Lufthansa’s Pet Policy

Being a topmost carrier, Lufthansa pays special attention to the well-being and safety of each traveler including the feline. However, to avail of the benefits, you must follow the pet policy as well as the regulations outlined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Some additional information about the same has been given here:

• Only small cats and dogs will be permitted in the cabin with passengers.
• The maximum weight should not be more than 8 kg.
• Animals can only be transported in the approved carrier.
• A ticketed passenger will only be allowed to bring one pet carrier in the cabin.
• They will need to keep the cat/dog’s cage inside the front seat.
• For the comfort of your animal, you may carefully select seats on Lufthansa so that you can access more space.
• Always sit on the allocated space/seats only.
• Never ignore the dimensions of the carrier. Otherwise, boarding will be denied or delayed.
• For certain destinations such as Germany, the minimum age for traveling is 15 weeks.
• All export and import regulations should be followed.
• The rules from one nation to another may vary. 
• Hence, passengers are advised to check the location-specific rules while or before booking tickets.
• When needed, stricter rules may be applied by Lufthansa, and can refuse bookings on selected routes such as:
  • Ireland, 
  • United Kingdom, 
  • India (Bangalore), etc. 
• Always check the methods to fill out the Lufthansa flight delay compensation form in case the flight is late due to any reasons.
• The airline will not be responsible for providing rebooking, hotel stay, and so on if the boarding is denied due to non-compliance with the policy.
• Not all countries accept a pet. Therefore, check this aspect with that country’s embassy or consulate beforehand.

Expected Behavior of the Pet

As per the policy, the airline reserves the right to deny the boarding if the animal shows one of the following:

• Excessive barking
• Growling
• Biting
• Chewing or destroying an airline’s property
• Showing aggression
• Urinating

Every animal should remain in the cage throughout the trip or at the airport. You will not be allowed to take your pet out of the carrier. You will only be allowed to do so in the designated areas.

Remember: In case passengers traveling with pets have any sort of query, they can dial 0180-6-747-100 to connect with Lufthansa’s customer assistance team.

In case you are not able to travel with your animal due to any such reason, you may opt for changing your flight. But you will still have to control its behavior. 

Pet Travel Fee

Traveling with cats/dogs is not free. Depending on the route chosen, the Lufthansa pet-in-the-cabin fee will change. In addition to this, the fee amount will be different for:

• stop-over (interrupted trips for over 24 hours), 
• connecting flights, 
• and return flights. 

You can also use the baggage calculator available on the official website to know the final amount of transporting a dog or cat in the cabin or cargo.

Important: A surcharge of USD 170 will be charged by the airline if you are transferring animals via Geneva, Vienna, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Brussels.

Lufthansa Pets in Cargo Policy

As mentioned earlier, the animals can also be transported through the Lufthansa freight services. Just like the passenger cabin, you will need to inform the airline up to 72 hours before the departure time about the dog or cat. 

Below are some important points of Lufthansa’s pet policy for cargo transportation:

• You should get a crate or container made of:
  • metal, 
  • wire mesh, 
  • synthetic materials, 
  • or wood.
• Carrier’s dimension should be as listed in the policy.
• Plastic-made containers will not be allowed.
• The opening area of the crate should be made of:
  • heavy-duty metal, 
  • reinforced wood, 
  • and wire mesh.

Important: These regulations are applicable to fighting dogs only. So, ask the customer assistance team about the container and related rules for other animals.

Important Aspects of Cargo Pet Policy

If you choose to transport your animals through the freight facilities, then you will need to follow the Lufthansa Airlines pet policy for cargo. This includes:

• Animals in the cargo compartment will be considered excess baggage.
• Along with dogs and cats, you can transport horses through the cargo.
• No pets will be accepted on connecting flights if flying through Munich.
• Only two animals in the same carrier will be permitted.
• Cargo facility is not available for all countries.
• Depending on the travel destination, you will need to pay a different amount as a fee.
• Registration for pets can be done:
  • online by filling out the registration form 
  • or simply by calling on 0180-6-747-100.
• You must complete the registration process at least 72 hours before the departure of the flight.
• With animals, you can check-in: 
• at the airport counter 
• or simply do it online through the official website 
• or the mobile application 
• You can complete the check-in at least 23 hours before the flight’s time.

Breeds Listed as Fighting Dogs

While transporting fighting dogs between 3-6 months of age, you will require special and exclusively designed crates. For others, standard crates can be used. 

Now look at the following to know the dog breeds listed as fighting ones:

• American Bulldog
• Rottweiler
• Dogo Argentino
• Caucasian Ovcharka or Caucasian Shepherd Dog)
• Karabash (Kangal) or Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Certain dog breeds are also facing import bans due to different reasons. Below is the list:

• Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier

Banned Breeds of Dogs and Cats

Due to safety and health reasons (mainly breathing issues), the airline has banned certain snub-nosed breeds of dogs and cats. They are not allowed in the cabin as well as through the cargo hold. Here are the lists:

Banned Dogs

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Brussels Griffon
• Affenpinscher
• Boston Terrier
• Chow Chow
• Bulldog (all breeds with the exception of the American Bulldog)
• Pugs (all breeds)
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boxer
• Lhasa Apso
• Bull Mastiff
• Japanese Chin
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Bull Terrier (Miniature are not classified as fighting dogs or as snub-nosed)
• English Toy Spaniel
• Japanese Spaniel
• Shar Pei
• Pekinese
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull
• Shih Tzu

Banned Cats

• Exotic Shorthair
• British Shorthair
• Persian
• Himalayan
• Scottish Fold

Traveling Rules for Service Animals

Lufthansa only allows fully trained dogs as assistants or service animals. Passengers can bring them to the cabin for free. While you are traveling with an assistant dog, you will need to know the following:

• The dog should be fully trained by a certified trainer or an organization.
• Under-training dogs will not be accepted.
• Your service animal should be obedient enough to respond to the owner’s commands.
• The service dog should remain calm and not show any disruptive or aggressive behavior when on the flight.
• Crewmembers of Lufthansa may transfer your service animal in the cargo (at an additional fee) if they show inappropriate behavior i.e. jumping, barking, growling, etc.
• Additional costs will be levied if service dogs damage or harm the airline’s property.
• The dog should stay inside the carrier if not assisting passengers. 
• They must be placed inside a Lufthansa Airlines approved-pet carrier.
• The cage should fit well under the front seat or foot space.
• Your service dog should not occupy a seat in any condition. 
• Every assistant animal must be harnessed and leashed properly yet securely.
• Even though muzzles are not needed, it is good to have one while traveling as a precaution.
• One ticketed passenger can only be allowed to bring 2 assistant dogs into the cabin. 
• Always inform the airline about the assistant dog at least 48 hours before the flight’s timing.
• For countries such as the United States, passengers will need to submit duly filled forms of:
  • the US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation 
  • and/or the Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation.

Remember: The airline does not accept comfort, companionship, or emotional support animals as service dogs. Under-training dogs are also not allowed onboard.

You must read the Lufthansa pet travel policy thoroughly and carefully. Kindly understand every aspect and follow each rule to ensure a smooth journey. In case you are puzzled or need professional assistance, you can directly connect with Lufthansa or read its policy thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some of the commonly asked questions about Lufthansa’s pet travel policy: