Pet Policy Overview
Lufthansa remains one of Europe's strongest choices for cat travel because it offers both passenger-cabin transport on eligible routes and professional live-animal air freight through Lufthansa Cargo. Cargo animals are handled under IATA Live Animals Regulations, and cats routed through Frankfurt can benefit from the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, where trained animal keepers provide species-appropriate care around the clock. For private individuals, Lufthansa Cargo animal shipments must be booked via a freight forwarder, not directly as a normal passenger add-on.
Key Details
Pet Fee
€60 (domestic) / €80–€110 (intra-EU / intercontinental)
Lufthansa Cargo
Live animals travel with high priority and fast transit times through Lufthansa Cargo. Private individuals must book via a freight forwarder; if you want your cat to travel as excess baggage instead of air freight, use Lufthansa Passenger Airlines' travelling-with-animals process. Lufthansa Cargo also offers Pet Premium for dogs and cats on eligible Frankfurt stopovers, with larger kennels at the Animal Lounge, special-care support, arrival photos, an information sheet, and a dedicated contact, subject to availability.
Pro Tip
For cabin travel, confirm your cat's space with Lufthansa before you buy non-refundable travel extras: availability is limited and rules can vary by aircraft, cabin, route, and operating carrier. For cargo travel, start with Lufthansa Cargo's animal forwarder search or your relocation company early, because the crate, shipper's certificate, import documents, and route availability all need to line up before handover.
Restrictions
Cats in the cabin must stay inside an approved carrier that fits under the seat and meets Lufthansa's current passenger-airline rules. Cargo crates must comply with IATA Live Animals Regulations, and Lufthansa Cargo requires a shipper's certificate before handover. Lufthansa Cargo's March 1, 2026 LH05 kennel update applies to restricted dog breeds, not ordinary cat crates, but cat cargo bookings still need an IATA-compliant kennel sized for natural standing, turning, and lying down.
Cabin vs Cargo
Cabin travel
This is the passenger-airline option for smaller cats that fit Lufthansa's in-cabin carrier and weight rules. Your cat stays with you under the seat for the flight, but space is limited and must be confirmed with Lufthansa before travel. Always check the operating airline on codeshares, because the pet rule belongs to the airline actually flying the aircraft.
Cargo / air freight
This is the Lufthansa Cargo live-animal pathway for cats travelling as manifest cargo, usually for relocations, larger crates, destinations that do not allow cabin pets, or trips handled by a pet shipper. Private individuals must book through a freight forwarder. Your cat travels in an IATA-compliant hard crate and is processed through cargo facilities rather than the passenger check-in desk.
Frankfurt Animal Lounge
Frankfurt is Lufthansa Cargo's major advantage for cat relocations. The Animal Lounge is a dedicated animal station at the Frankfurt hub with 24/7 care, trained animal keepers, handling coordination, and veterinary services under one roof. Import, export, and transit zones are physically separated, and the facility includes quiet zones for cats plus climate-controlled areas for sensitive shipments.
During transit
Animals can be checked, fed, watered, and cared for according to their needs while they wait for the next flight.
Pet Premium
For eligible dogs and cats with a Frankfurt stopover, Pet Premium can include larger kennels, arrival photos, special-care support, and a dedicated contact.
Booking Checklist
- 1Decide the travel pathway first. Use passenger pet booking for an eligible in-cabin cat; use Lufthansa Cargo and a freight forwarder for manifest cargo.
- 2Confirm route limits early. Destination import rules, aircraft type, operating carrier, season, and available animal capacity can all change whether your cat can travel.
- 3Prepare the right carrier. Cabin carriers must fit Lufthansa's under-seat rules; cargo crates must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations and give your cat room to stand, turn, and lie down naturally.
- 4Build the document chain. Expect microchip, rabies vaccination, destination health certificate, import permit where required, and a shipper's certificate for Lufthansa Cargo handover.
- 5Ask about Frankfurt services. If the routing includes FRA, ask the forwarder whether Animal Lounge transit care or Pet Premium is available for your cat's booking.