Lufthansa Pet Travel Policy (2026 Guide)
Lufthansa is one of the most pet-friendly European carriers, permitting small dogs and cats up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) in the passenger cabin. Larger animals travel in pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo holds with layover care at the world-renowned Frankfurt Animal Lounge.
Can I fly with a pet on Lufthansa? Yes. Lufthansa allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin provided the pet and carrier weigh no more than 8 kg and fit in a compliant carrier. Larger pets may travel in the cargo hold up to 75 kg.
Carrier Sizing & Dimension Mandates
55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.6 × 15.7 × 9.0 in), water-repellent soft bag
Must be waterproof, bite-proof, ventilated on at least 3 sides, and capable of stowing completely under the seat in front of you without compressing your pet.
Rigid plastic or fiberglass with metal bolts and nuts
Wooden crates and plastic side-latches are strictly rejected. The crate must feature 4-sided ventilation, attachable two-compartment food/water dishes accessible from the exterior, and allow the pet to stand fully upright with at least 5 to 7 cm (2–3 in) of ear clearance.
Lufthansa Boarding & Flight Regulations
- ✓Registration must occur at least 72 hours prior to flight departure.
- ✓Only 2 pets per passenger permitted (either 2 in cabin, 2 in hold, or 1 in each).
- ✓Minimum age of 12 weeks for domestic/EU flights; 16 weeks for travel from rabies-risk origins.
- ✓Soft-sided, leak-proof carrier mandatory for in-cabin travel; hard crates strictly prohibited under the seat.
- ✓The pet must remain fully enclosed inside the carrier under the seat in front throughout taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) & Restricted Breeds
Due to elevated risks of respiratory failure, heatstroke, and anatomical airway obstruction during flight changes in cabin pressure, airlines maintain strict breed restrictions:
Step-by-Step Booking Checklist for Lufthansa
Confirm route feasibility and verify whether the destination country permits in-cabin arrival (e.g., UK does not).
Reserve your ticket, then immediately contact the Lufthansa Service Center to register pet quota availability.
Complete the mandatory Lufthansa "Transporting an Animal in the Passenger Cabin" release declaration.
Present veterinary health certificates, microchip confirmation, and signed release at the airport check-in desk at least 2.5 hours before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lufthansa
Can I take my dog in the cabin on Lufthansa?
Yes, provided the total weight of your pet including the soft-sided carrier does not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs) and the carrier dimensions do not exceed 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
What happens during a Lufthansa layover in Frankfurt?
Pets traveling in the cargo hold transit through the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, where dedicated veterinary staff inspect, water, feed, and care for your animal in climate-controlled quarters.
Does Lufthansa accept pitbulls or snub-nosed breeds?
Fighting breeds (Pitbulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers) are subject to special CR-82 reinforced crate mandates in the hold. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned from the hold entirely.
Airport Layover Station
Frankfurt Animal Lounge (FRA): A 4,000 m² veterinary transit facility offering dedicated veterinarians, walking paddocks, and specialized feeding during layovers.
Check IATA Crate Sizing
Airlines inspect crates at check-in with strict mathematical formulas (Snout-to-tail length + half leg height).
Launch Free Compliance Check→Upload Pet Documents
Upload vaccination records, microchip paperwork, or rabies titer certificates to check if they fulfill destination country laws before paying airline cargo deposits.
Instant OCR Document Scan↓