Information about travelling with service dogs

On direct flights to or from the United States, passengers are permitted to travel with a service dog, including a psychiatric service dog, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability, to the extent required and as defined by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Lufthansa will transport service dogs free of charge. Lufthansa limits the maximum number of service dogs per passenger to two (2) service dogs.

Service animal

• A dog, regardless of breed or type
• That is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability
• Including a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
• Animal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals. 

Please Note: Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 382, emotional support animals are no longer classified as service animals under U.S. DOT regulations, and Lufthansa will no longer accept or accommodate the emotional support animal classification.

Qualified individual with a disability

• An individual with a disability who has a physical or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary basis, substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Has a record of such an impairment
• Or is regarded as having such an impairment pursuant to 14 C.F.R. §382.3
• (a) who, as a Passenger, with respect to obtaining (1) a ticket for air transportation on a carrier, offers, or makes a good faith attempt to offer, to purchase or otherwise validly to obtain such a ticket or (2) air transportation, or other services or accommodations required by 14 C.F.R. Part 382 (i) buys or otherwise validly obtains, or makes a good faith effort to obtain, a ticket for air transportation on a carrier and presents himself or herself at the airport for the purpose of traveling on the flight to which the ticket pertains; and (ii) meets reasonable, nondiscriminatory contract of carriage requirements applicable to all passengers; or
• (b) who, with respect to accompanying or meeting a traveler, using ground transportation, using terminal facilities, or obtaining information about schedules, fares, reservations, or policies, takes those actions necessary to use facilities or services offered by an air carrier to the general public, with reasonable accommodations, as needed, provided by the carrier.

It is a federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representations knowingly and willfully on the Service Animal Air Transportation Form or Service Animal Relief Attestation Form to secure disability accommodations provided under U.S. regulations.

Acceptance for Travel: In accordance with U.S. DOT regulations, Lufthansa may make inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service dog. To determine that an animal is a service dog, Lufthansa may (1) observe the animal’s behavior to determine whether the animal displays disruptive or aggressive behavior that demonstrates that it has not been successfully trained to behave properly in a public setting, or (2) look for certain physical indicators.

Size of service dogs: All service dogs must fit in the passenger’s foot space, unless transport would be inconsistent with safety requirements set by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or German/European Union law, or would encroach into another passenger’s space.

Leashing / Harnessing / Tethering: Lufthansa requires that all service dogs be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered at all times by the service dog user or handler (if applicable) while onboard Lufthansa aircraft and in airport areas that are owned, leased, or controlled by Lufthansa.

Refusal to Transport a service dog: Lufthansa may refuse to transport a service dog in accordance with U.S. DOT regulations if:

1. The service dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
2. The service dog causes a significant disruption in the cabin or at an airport gate area, or its behavior on the aircraft or at an airport gate area indicates that it has not been trained to behave properly in public.
3. The service dog’s carriage would violate applicable safety or health requirements of any U.S. federal agency, U.S. territory or foreign government; or
4. The passenger with a disability seeking to travel with a service dog in the cabin of the aircraft does not provide completed current forms as required by Lufthansa.

Damage: Lufthansa reserves the right to charge passengers travelling with a service dog for any damage caused by the service dog in accordance with U.S. DOT regulations.

Recognised service 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 service dog:
a) ​Send an email to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Centre
b) ​Contact the Lufthansa Service Center
c) Through your travel agency

Requirements for registering recognised service 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 service dog. For this purpose, please present two copies of the fully completed and signed form at check-in:

• You have made sure that taking your dog with you on your journey (outbound and return flight) as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin conforms to the current entry and exit regulations of all the countries concerned.
• Any necessary veterinary examinations or treatments (e.g. vaccinations, microchipping) have been completed in good time before your journey.
• The official and veterinary documents required for your pet (e.g. pet passport) are ready.
• You have made sure that you can also take your dog with you into the cabin on any other airlines involved in your journey.
• You have booked your flight and registered your dog for carriage in the cabin with Lufthansa or at your travel agency and have received a corresponding booking confirmation.
• You have two fully completed and signed printouts of our ​Form for the transportation of a service dog in the passenger cabin.
• If you are travelling with a recognised service dog: you have a certificate proving your dog has been trained as a service dog (not required for flights to/from the USA).
• If you are travelling to/from the US: You have filled out and sent the following forms to the Lufthansa Medical Operation Center:
  • ​U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (PDF)
  • ​U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (PDF)

• Please bring your dog, in the suitable transport container where appropriate, to the check-in counter no later than two hours before departure.
• Please present the following documents for your animal at the check-in counter:
  • the official and veterinary documents for your dog (e.g. pet passport)
  • if applicable, proof that the animal has been trained as a service dog (not for flights to/from the USA)
  • two fully completed and signed printouts of our ​Form for the transportation of a service dog in the passenger cabin.
    
• You have your booking confirmation or passenger receipt in your carry-on baggage.
• You will settle the costs for transporting your dog when checking in or at the Lufthansa service counter.
• Your dog is wearing a harness (recommended) or collar and, if possible, a muzzle.