Information about travelling with assistance dogs
On Lufthansa flights, you can bring your assistance dog into the cabin with you free of charge.
We distinguish between:
- Recognised assistance dogs (SVAN) such as, for example, guide dogs
- Emotional support dogs (ESAN)
When taking an assistance dog with you into the cabin, the
General requirements for taking assistance dogs into the cabin
To ensure the safe and undisturbed operation of the flight, your dog must be trained to be obedient to your commands and must behave appropriately in a public space (in other words, no barking, growling, or jumping up at people or other animals).
On no account may the dog relieve itself in the cabin or at the boarding gate, or may only be permitted to do so in such a way as to cause no health risk or hygiene problem.
If your dog does not behave in an appropriate manner, Lufthansa may transfer the dog to the cargo hold at an additional cost or refuse to transport the animal. You are liable for any damage and additional costs arising from the transport of your dog.
On board:
- Your dog must fit in front of your seat and be attached to your safety belt by its lead.
- The animal may on no account sit on a passenger seat.
- We recommend securing the dog with a harness rather than with a collar.
- Out of consideration for the other passengers, we request that you bring a muzzle with you for your dog.
Recognised assistance dogs (service animals (SVAN) – e.g. guide dogs, hearing dogs, diabetic alert dogs, seizure alert dogs) can be taken into the cabin free of charge on all flights operated by Lufthansa. Please register the animal for transport in the cabin at least 24 hours before departure, when possible.
There are three ways to register your emotional support dog:
a) An email to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre
An email to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre in the USA
b) Lufthansa Service Center
c) Through your travel agency
Requirements for registering recognised assistance dogs on flights outside the USA:
1. You must present a training certificate for your dog from a recognised training institute. You will receive confirmation from the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre once this has been checked.
2. For flights outside the USA, we also require your written confirmation that the dog fulfils the requirements for travelling as a recognised assistance dog. For this purpose, please present two copies of the fully completed and signed form at check-in: Transporting an assistance dog in the passenger cabin
Transporting an emotional support dog (Emotional Support Animals – ESAN) in the cabin is free of charge on non-stop flights operated by Lufthansa to and from the USA. We will accept one emotional support dog per passenger. Exceptions are possible for dogs weighing less than 8 kg.
On all other routes, including connecting flights to/from the USA, there are no special conditions for emotional support dogs. On these routes, the dog will only be transported for a fee and in a transport container appropriate for its size and weight that you must bring with you. If possible, the dog will be transported either as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin or as excess baggage in the cargo hold.
Requirements for registering emotional support dogs on USA flights:
1. A medical certificate that confirms the need for you to be accompanied by this kind of dog.
2. The dog must be registered and confirmed for the flight no later than 48 hours before departure. There are three ways to register your emotional support dog:
a) An email to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre
An email to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre in the USA
b) Lufthansa Service Center
c) Through your travel agency
You will receive confirmation from the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre once this has been checked.
3. Confirmation that the dog fulfils the requirements for travelling as an emotional support dog. For this purpose, please present two copies of this fully completed and signed form at check-in:
Transporting an assistance dog in the passenger cabin
The following regulations apply to the transportation of emotional support dogs on flights outside the USA, depending upon the size and weight of the animal:
Transport as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin
Transport as excess baggage in the cargo hold
A suitable transport container for the animal must be brought with you from the start of the journey. If this container exceeds the carry-on baggage allowance in number or size for flights from and/or to the USA, it must be checked in free of charge as an item of baggage.
Passengers with connecting flights outside the USA, whose dog may not be transported in the cabin on these segments as additional carry-on baggage, are requested to take care of the import, export and customs formalities for emotional support dogs themselves before their onward flight to Germany.
Sufficient time (at least four hours) must be allowed in Germany for collecting the transport container and/or dog and checking it in. Please also note that, for reasons of animal welfare, check-in for an animal travelling in the cargo hold is no later than two hours before departure and no earlier than three hours before departure.
Checklist for taking an assistance dog with you into the cabin
To make your preparations easier, we have prepared a checklist for you with all the important points.