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Lufthansa Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. Lufthansa allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (soft-sided). Your pet and carrier together can weigh up to 8 kg (≈ 17.6 lb).

Last verified against Lufthansa's official pages

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Register your dog or cat for the cabin with Lufthansa. Lufthansa checks availability and makes the booking no later than 72 hours before departure, and emails you if it can't.
  2. Fill in and sign Lufthansa's form for carrying an animal in the cabin, and bring two printouts to the check-in counter.
  3. Pay the pet fee at check-in or at the Lufthansa service counter.

Sources: Animals as additional carry-on baggage, Current fees

Pet fee

Depends on the route. Lufthansa doesn't list a fixed price; its baggage calculator shows the fee for your trip, and you pay at check-in.

  • The fee is charged once per direction, including Lufthansa connecting flights. It's charged again for the return flight and for stopovers of more than 24 hours.
  • Pay at check-in or at the Lufthansa service counter at the airport.

Carrier size and weight

The weight limit is 8 kg (≈ 17.6 lb) including the carrier.

Soft-sided carrier (maximum)

55 × 40 × 23 cm

≈ 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in (L × W × H)

  • A soft-sided carrier that closes securely is required; it can't have a sturdy frame, wheels or a telescopic handle. Lufthansa gives the maximum as 118 cm in total (55 x 40 x 23 cm, or 22 x 16 x 9 in). If it doesn't fit under the seat, the crew secures it to your seat belt with the Lufthansa Animal Belt.
  • Your pet and carrier are extra carry-on baggage, on top of the free baggage allowance in your ticket.
  • Pets must be at least 12 weeks old.
  • 1 carrier per passenger, with one pet inside.

Source: Animals as additional carry-on baggage

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Lufthansa doesn't publish a fixed list, but says:

  • Lufthansa may refuse pet bookings on certain routes, for example to the UK, Ireland or Bangalore (India)

Breeds

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are not accepted in cargo. Lufthansa has barred snub-nosed dogs and cats from the cargo hold since January 1, 2020. They can still fly in the cabin if they meet the cabin rules.

Also good to know

  • Minimum age is 15 weeks for travel to, from or via Germany. For the hold, dogs traveling to the USA must be 6 months old.
  • Each passenger can bring at most two animals in total, in the cabin and/or the hold.
  • Fighting dog breeds (for example Rottweilers, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentino) travel only in the hold, in special crates, unless they're 3 to 6 months old.
  • Your pet must be obedient and behave well in public (no barking or growling), or Lufthansa may move it to the hold at extra cost or refuse it.

Sources: Animals as additional carry-on baggage, Carriage of animals as excess baggage in the cargo hold, Fighting dog breeds and snub-nosed animals

Cargo and checked pets

Lufthansa carries pets in the cargo hold through pets as excess baggage in the air-conditioned cargo hold. Dogs and cats over 8 kg with their carrier travel in the hold, in an IATA-compliant hard kennel secured with metal screws. The price depends on the route and kennel size, plus a EUR 150 / USD 170 surcharge for transfers via Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna or Zurich. No pets in the hold on connecting flights via Munich.

Source: Carriage of animals as excess baggage in the cargo hold

Service dogs and emotional support animals

  • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
  • Required paperwork: For flights to/from the USA: the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form and Relief Attestation Form. Elsewhere: a training certificate and Lufthansa's own form..

Source: Assistance dogs

Other details

  • Two young animals (at least 12 weeks), two adult animals of similar size, or a mother with one young animal (0 to 6 weeks) may share a carrier, if they fit and the total stays under 8 kg.
  • Pets that can't fly in the cabin or hold may be able to travel as air freight through a specialist animal shipper and Lufthansa Cargo.

Before you fly

Lufthansa can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 26, 2026. Confirm the rules with Lufthansa before you book and again before you travel.

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