Transporting animals as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin

Small dogs and cats, who weigh a maximum of 8 kg including a suitable transport container, may be taken with you into the passenger cabin. When travelling with assistance dogs (for example, guide dogs or hearing dogs) the following exceptions apply in the cabin.

Please note: each passenger is allowed to take a maximum of two animals with them (in an approved transport container). Animals can be transported in the cabin and/or in the cargo hold:

• No more than two animals (dog or cat) in the cabin (in an approved carrying container) or no more than two animals in the cargo hold (in one or two approved carrying containers)
• One animal (dog or cat) in the cabin (in an approved carrying container) and one animal in the cargo hold (in an approved carrying container)

You can find more detailed information about the design and dimensions of the transport container here.
Special regulations also apply to breeds of fighting dogs and snub-nosed animal breeds.

Please also note the minimum age of the animals to be transported. For dogs and cats the minimum age is:

• 12 weeks,
• and 15 weeks for carriage from/to/via Germany.

Compliance with import and export regulations, as well as with animal welfare provisions, is your responsibility. Please enquire about the regulations applicable in the country or countries you intend to visit at their respective consulates and at your veterinary surgery. Lufthansa also reserves the right to apply stricter regulations where necessary and refuse bookings on certain routes (such as to the UK, Ireland or Bangalore in India, for example) to exclude the animal from travel.

In the event of Lufthansa having to refuse the carriage of your pet because of non-compliance with the regulations, Lufthansa is not liable for any resulting costs (e.g. rebooking charges, animal boarding costs, hotel accommodation).

In exceptional cases, for example due to the regulations of an individual country, it is possible that your animal cannot be transported in the cabin, even if the requirements stated here are fulfilled. However, transport as air freight in the cargo hold of a Lufthansa aircraft may be possible. Varying prices apply for shipping as air freight.

For this, you need a carrier who specialises in transporting animals. You can find the contact details of one near you with the help of the animal shipper searchThe link will be opened in a new browser tab . If you have any questions about this, the ​Lufthansa Cargo ServiceThe link will be opened in a new browser tab Centre will be happy to assist you further. You can contact them in Germany on tel. 0180 6 – 747 100 (calls cost €0.20 per min. from the German landline network; max. €0.60 per min. from mobile phone networks).

To ensure the safe and undisturbed operation of the flight, your pet must be trained to be obedient to your commands and must behave appropriately in a public space (e.g. no barking or growling). If your pet does not behave in an appropriate manner, Lufthansa may transfer it to the cargo hold at an additional cost or refuse to transport it. You are liable for any damage and additional costs arising from the transport of your animal.

For you to take your pet into the cabin as carry-on baggage, we require your confirmation that the animal meets the stated requirements. Please present two printouts of the completed and signed form at the check-in counter to confirm this.

1. The maximum size is 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm) or 47 in (22 x 16 x 9 in).
   
2. The total weight of the transport container, including the animal, must not exceed 8 kg.
3. The animal must be able to stand in its natural position in the closed transport container, and also lie down and turn without any restriction.
4. The container must be escape-proof, leak-proof and bite-proof.
5. The container must not have a sturdy frame, wheels or a telescopic handle, so that it can be stowed under the seat in front of you.
6. The inside of the container must be lined with absorbent material. We recommend a blanket or old clothing. Newspaper, cardboard and straw are not permitted.
7. On board, the animal will be stowed in its transport container under the seat in front of you. If this is not possible, the animal must be secured to your safety belt using the “Lufthansa Animal Belt” which the on-board crew will provide for you. The animal will remain in its transport container.
8. Only one transport container per passenger is allowed in the cabin.
9. The number of animals per transport container is limited to one animal. However, exceptions apply.¹

¹ Exceptions: two young animals of comparable size and a minimum age of 12 weeks, or two fully grown animals of comparable size, or a mother animal with one young animal (0–6 weeks) still dependent on the mother are permitted in the same transport container. The requirement for transporting several animals in the same container is that all the animals in the container must be able to stand, lie down and turn in their natural positions, the animals are used to being together and the maximum total weight of all the animals including transport container does not exceed 8 kg.