Lufthansa Pet Policy: Cabin, Hold and Cargo Rules

Lufthansa currently offers three separate animal-transport pathways: in-cabin travel, accompanied excess-baggage travel in the passenger aircraft hold, and Lufthansa Cargo air freight. A passenger ticket does not itself confirm the animal.

1. Start with the actual operating carrier

Lufthansa’s passenger-pet rules apply to Lufthansa-operated flights. For codeshares, check the airline physically operating every sector and obtain pet confirmation from every carrier involved. An LH flight number alone is not enough.

2. Cabin pets: 8 kg including the carrier

Small dogs and cats may travel in the cabin when the pet plus carrier weighs no more than 8 kg / 17.6 lb.

The pet must be able to stand, lie and turn naturally inside the closed carrier. See How to Choose a Pet Travel Carrier or Crate.

3. Two-animal combinations

Lufthansa permits a maximum of two animals per passenger across cabin/hold combinations. Two same-species animals may share a cabin carrier if they are accustomed to each other, both fit naturally and the total animals + carrier remain within 8 kg.

4. Minimum age and pregnancy

Current Lufthansa guidance uses a general minimum age of 12 weeks and 15 weeks for carriage from/to/via Germany. Dogs entering the United States must meet the current U.S. six-month minimum. Lufthansa does not accept pregnant animals.

5. Register the pet separately

Current general guidance says pets should be registered up to 72 hours before departure online or through a travel agency. On eligible non-U.S. travel, the Service Center may accept requests up to 24 hours before departure. U.S. pet registration uses the designated online process at least 72 hours before departure.

6. Current U.S. dog restrictions

Lufthansa currently limits new passenger-pet dog bookings to specified U.S. arrival airports including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Newark is currently possible where the dog has not been in a high-rabies-risk area during the previous six months.

The current CDC Dog Import Form and other U.S. entry requirements remain separate government requirements.

7. Route restrictions can override the cabin rule

Lufthansa currently gives the United Kingdom, Ireland and Bangalore as examples where stricter route rules can prevent ordinary cabin pet carriage. Verify the exact route rather than relying on a permanent blacklist.

8. Current published cabin fee reference

Lufthansa says charges are assessed once per flight direction, including Lufthansa connecting flights in that direction, and again for return travel or stopovers over 24 hours. Use the current baggage calculator as the final route-specific price check.

9. Passenger hold: accompanied excess baggage

Eligible dogs and cats may travel in the air-conditioned hold as accompanied excess baggage. This is not Lufthansa Cargo air freight.

10. No passenger-hold pet connections via Munich

11. Passenger hold kennel requirements changed in May 2026

Effective May 4, 2026, Lufthansa added stricter AVIH kennel rules. Current requirements include ventilation openings no larger than 25 × 25 mm for dogs and 19 × 19 mm for cats, ventilation on all four sides, metal screws securing two-part kennels, no wire-only kennels, non-functional/removed wheels and accessible food/water dishes.

Lufthansa explicitly states that IATA does not certify or approve individual commercial pet-container brands or models.

12. Snub-nosed pets cannot use the passenger hold

Lufthansa bars listed brachycephalic dogs and cats from passenger hold carriage. Eligible animals may still use the cabin if they meet cabin rules. Lufthansa also says a separate air-freight shipment through Lufthansa Cargo may be possible.

13. Strong/fighting breeds require special containers

Selected strong breeds require reinforced kennels for passenger hold transport. For Lufthansa Cargo, a further rule took effect March 1, 2026: restricted-breed kennels must comply with Lufthansa Cargo LH05 operator variations, including a wood/steel frame and solid wood/plywood walls; metal kennels are no longer accepted for that category.

14. Current hold fee reference and transfer surcharge

Lufthansa also currently publishes a hold-animal transfer surcharge of EUR 150 / CHF 170 / USD 170 / CAD 220 for transfers via Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich, plus CHF 200 per container for an overnight stay in Zurich.

15. Lufthansa Cargo is a separate air-freight product

Lufthansa Cargo’s Live Animals service carries pets and many other species. Private individuals currently must book through a specialist animal freight forwarder rather than directly adding the animal to a passenger ticket.

Cargo pricing varies by origin, destination and shipment, and a completed Shipper’s Certificate is required for handover.

16. Frankfurt Animal Lounge

Lufthansa Cargo’s Frankfurt Animal Lounge provides 24/7 care by trained animal keepers for live-animal shipments, with species-appropriate accommodation and shipment monitoring. Pet Premium is available for eligible dogs/cats transiting Frankfurt.

Plan cargo travel door-to-door: forwarder handoff, cargo facility, customs/veterinary clearance, transit handling, collection and onward transport all matter.

17. Government permission is separate

Lufthansa acceptance does not replace import, export or transit permission. Vaccination, microchip, official health documentation and quarantine rules depend on the countries involved.

See International Pet Travel and Pet Travel Documents & Health Certificates.

18. Practical Lufthansa booking sequence

1. Identify every operating carrier.
2. Choose cabin, passenger hold or Lufthansa Cargo.
3. Check route and transfer airport.
4. Check age, breed, pregnancy status and pet fit.
5. Measure the carrier/kennel.
6. Register the pet separately.
7. Build government-document timelines separately.
8. Use the current baggage calculator / Cargo quote for pricing.
9. Recheck current kennel rules.
10. Reconfirm after any flight or routing change.

FAQ

Does Lufthansa allow pets in the cabin?

Yes. Small dogs and cats may travel in cabin when pet + carrier are no more than 8 kg and the route permits it.

What size cabin carrier does Lufthansa allow?

55 × 40 × 23 cm / 22 × 16 × 9 in maximum.

Can a hold pet connect through Munich?

No under the current Lufthansa passenger-hold policy.

Can a brachycephalic dog travel in Lufthansa’s hold?

No in the passenger hold. Cabin travel or a separate Lufthansa Cargo shipment may still be possible.

Does Lufthansa Cargo accept pets?

Yes. Private individuals currently book through a specialist animal freight forwarder.

How early must I register my pet?

Current standard online registration is 72 hours before departure; eligible non-U.S. travel may have a Service Center fallback up to 24 hours.