🔄 Updated : June 29, 2026

Germany’s largest airline and the heart of the Lufthansa Group (which also includes SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines), Lufthansa flies worldwide from its Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Its dog rules are close to those of Air France or KLM, with one twist: the pricing is less transparent.

In the cabin: up to 8 kg (18 lb)

Lufthansa allows a dog in the cabin if its weight with the carrier does not exceed 8 kg (18 lb). The soft carrier must slide under the seat in front of you. As always, it’s the most reassuring and least stressful option for the animal.

In the hold: above 8 kg (18 lb)

Heavier dogs travel in the hold, in a pressurized, heated compartment, in a rigid IATA crate. Lufthansa treats this transport as excess baggage. Like most airlines, it bans brachycephalic breeds from the hold for respiratory-health reasons.

How much does it cost? The Lufthansa quirk

Unlike Air France or Iberia, Lufthansa does not publish a fixed, public fee schedule for dog transport. The amount is calculated based on the itinerary (cabin or hold, distance, number of segments) and quoted to you by customer service when you book.

It’s a good example of why you should always ask for a precise quote before buying: two trips of comparable distance can be billed differently. Don’t trust an “average” fee found online; only Lufthansa’s customer service quote is authoritative.

How to book

  1. Book your flight, then register your dog with Lufthansa (online animal registration form, then confirmation). Spots are limited.
  2. Ask for the exact fee for your itinerary.
  3. Gather the documents: microchip, rabies vaccination, an EU pet passport (or the health certificate required from your country of departure), and a rabies titer test if needed — see our guide to international travel with a dog.
  4. Prepare an IATA crate (hold) or a compliant soft carrier (cabin).

To get your dog used to its crate and reduce stress, our guides on dog travel anxiety and choosing dog travel gear will help.

If Lufthansa can’t carry your dog

Within the same group, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines apply similar rules (and the same brachycephalic ban in the hold). For a European trip with a large flat-faced dog, the train often remains the better option. Compare everything in our airline pet policy comparison, or see our Air France and KLM fact sheets.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

Dog flight checker Can my dog fly? 62 airlines compared, by departure airport, destination and your dog's weight. Open the checker → IATA crate calculator IATA crate calculator The airline-approved crate size for your dog, using the official IATA formula. Calculate the size → Entry requirements by country Entry requirements checker Country-by-country entry rules: paperwork, vaccines, lead times and official sources. Check the rules →

➡️ Next step : your journey

  1. Check the health requirements
  2. Choose an IATA-compliant travel crate
  3. Prepare your dog for the stress of flying
  4. Compare the 62 airlines

🌍 Where can you fly with Lufthansa? Our entry-requirement guides for its destinations: Germany, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum cabin weight on Lufthansa?
8 kg (18 lb), carrier included. Above that, the dog travels in the hold.
How much does a dog cost on Lufthansa?
Lufthansa does not publish a fixed fee schedule: the price depends on the itinerary and is quoted at booking. Always ask for a quote before buying your ticket.
Does Lufthansa accept brachycephalic dogs?
In the cabin yes, under the 8 kg (18 lb) limit. In the hold, no: flat-faced breeds are banned.
How do you register a dog on a Lufthansa flight?
After buying your ticket, via Lufthansa’s animal registration form, then confirmation with customer service, because spots are limited.

Sources

Lufthansa — Registering animals in the cabin, accessed June 2026. Since Lufthansa does not publish fixed fees, confirm the price and conditions with the airline before booking.