Lufthansa Pet Policy
Traveling with your beloved pet on Lufthansa Airlines requires some prior planning. To ensure a seamless journey for you and your furry friend, reservations for your pet should be made no less than 72 hours before your scheduled departure.
For those looking to keep their small dogs or cats close, they are permitted in the cabin, granted their combined weight with their carrier is under 17 lbs (8 kg). Each traveler is permitted to carry a maximum of two pets in the cabin. Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old on flights to or from Germany, and 12 weeks old for all other flights. During the flight, pets must remain in a carrier placed under the seat. The fee for cabin pet travel is based on the travel route and can be calculated using the baggage calculator.
If your pet and carrier combined weigh over 17 lbs (8 kg), your pet can be comfortably transported in the temperature-controlled cargo hold. Each passenger can only bring two pets as checked baggage. The fee for this service depends on both the travel route and the size of the carrier, with a surcharge for transfers via Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich. Larger dogs that can't fit into the standard carriers or pets traveling solo must be transported as cargo. This service requires a specialized forwarding agent and for more information, you can directly reach out to Lufthansa Cargo.
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The maximum dimensions for pet carriers in the cabin are 22" x 16" x 9" (55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm). The carrier should be escape-proof, leak-proof, and bite-proof. For pets traveling in the cargo hold, medium carriers can measure up to 24" x 18" x 16" (60 cm x 45 cm x 40 cm), and larger carriers can be up to 49" x 29" x 33" (125 cm x 75 cm x 85 cm). Carriers in the hold must be equipped with attached food and water containers, proper ventilation, and a secure locking mechanism.
Lufthansa has specific restrictions and limitations in place for certain breeds. Certain breeds, classified as fighting or dangerous dogs, may only be transported in special crates in the cargo hold. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Karabash (Kangal) (Anatolian Shepherd Dog), Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog), and Rottweilers. Some of these breeds are also not allowed entry into Germany. Although not strictly forbidden, Lufthansa advises against the transportation of snub-nosed animals due to potential health risks.
As policies may change over time, it is always advisable to check directly with the airline before booking, to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information. This will help you prepare adequately for your journey and avoid any last-minute surprises or inconveniences.
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