Dogs and cats, who weigh more than 8 kg including their transport container, may not be transported in the cabin. Hares and rabbits must always travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage, regardless of their weight. For dogs and cats the minimum age is 12 weeks; for journeys to/from the USA it is 16 weeks. For rabbits and hares the minimum age is 5 weeks. With this in mind, many animals can fly as pets in checked baggage on Lufthansa Airlines.

Moreover, pets are prohibited from flying in the cargo hold when connecting through the Munich Airport which is ill-equipped to handle and care for live animal cargo in transit. Instead, Lufthansa Airlines suggests you look to travel through Frankfurt Airport to reach your final destination.

Specifications for the transport container:

To transport your pet in checked baggage on Lufthansa, you will need a transport container compliant with current IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations, otherwise Lufthansa can refuse to carry your pet.

The transport container must be secured with screws. Plastic locks are not considered secure methods of fastening and are therefore not acceptable. Different containers are required according to the animal species being transported. You must bring the transport container with you. The airline strongly recommends that you obtain the travel container well before the journey so that your pet can get acclimated.

Below, you will find the container specifications for transporting dogs and cats, as well as hares and rabbits, in the air-conditioned cargo hold.

 

  1. The transport container must be big enough for the animal to be able to stand in its natural position, and also lie down and turn without any restriction.
  2. The maximum size for a container for carriage in the cargo hold of the passenger aircraft is: 125 x 75 x 85 cm (= 49 x 29 x 33 inches).
  3. The container must be escape-proof. We recommend sturdy plastic or wooden cages made from harmless and non-toxic material. The transport container must have ventilation holes in all four sides. The container openings must be small enough to ensure that the animal cannot injure itself by getting any part of its body through them and guarantee protection from biting or scratching by the animal.
  4. The inside of the container must not have any sharp corners, edges or protruding nails to make sure that the animal does not injure itself.
  5. The transport container must be leak-proof and lined with absorbent material, such as a blanket or absorbent pad/mat. Newspaper, cardboard and straw are not permitted.
  6. Food and water bowls (empty) must be attached to the crate and be fillable from the outside.
  7. Castors/wheels are not permitted on the crate.
  8. Spacer bars must be attached centrally on both the long sides.
  9. Please keep your pet’s collar and lead with you in your carry-on baggage.
  10. Only one animal is permitted per crate. Exceptions apply (1)

(1) = up to two young animals of comparable size, which may be between 12 weeks and 6 months old, or two fully grown animals of comparable size and up to 14 kg per animal or a mother animal with one young animal (0–6 months) still dependent on the mother are permitted in the same transport container. The requirement for transporting several animals in the same container in checked baggage is that all the animals in the container must be able to stand, lie down and turn in their natural positions and that they are used to being together.

 

Transport containers for dogs and cats

The container top must not be closed with a mesh or grille. However, ventilation holes are allowed in the top.

  1. Door hinges and latches must protrude above and below the door openings on the horizontal projections by at least 1.60 cm (5/8 in)
  2. Ventilation holes
  3. Rear view
  4. Attached food and water containers
  5. Door latch
  6. Spacers

 

Maximum Size of the Transport Container 

Up to: 60 x 45 x 40 cm / 24 x 18 x 16 inches

Up to: 125 x 75 x 85 cm / 49 x 29 x 33 inches

The size of the transport container will also affect the price of flying pets in checked baggage. For longer international flights across the Atlantic, the cost is $218 for a smaller pet transport container and $437 for a larger pet container.

Find more information about Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policies.

 

* Images from Lufthansa Airlines