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Live Animals

Looking after your animal welfare throughout the entire journey.

Update February 05, 2026: Container requirements for restricted dog breeds

Effective March 01, 2026, Lufthansa Cargo will only accept kennels that fully comply with LH05 requirements of the IATA Live Animal Requlations (LAR).
This includes a wooden or steel frame as well as solid or plywood side walls. Metal kennels are not permitted.

Details are specified in the Operator Variations within IATA Live Animals Regulations (LH05). (User account required).

Please note: Private individuals must book via a freight forwarder. Use our Animal forwarder search to find the right provider for you.

Species-appropriate, individualized transport for live animals

From pets, horses, and exotic animals to ornamental fish, insects, and livestock, we ensure animals travel comfortably and with minimal stress. This is supported by species-appropriate accommodation and care throughout the journey, as well as 24/7 care by qualified animal keepers at the Frankfurt Animal Lounge.

Transporting animals quickly, with the best possible care

  • With Lufthansa Cargo, live animals are always transported with the highest priority and fast transit times.
  • Species-appropriate accommodation throughout the journey, including specially developed horse containers and well-ventilated small pet containers.
  • During transit, all animals are cared for according to their needs, examined, fed, and watered.
  • Compliance with the strict requirements of the IATA Live Animals Regulations and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
  • Frankfurt Animal Lounge at our main hub.

For horses

Species appropriated transport for horses

  • Whether you are shipping a sport horse, a young talent, or a leisure horse, you can rely on processing, care, and transport procedures tailored to species-specific needs.
  • Our B777 freighter, specialised horse containers, and the Frankfurt Animal Lounge help ensure horses arrive in a calm condition. Multiple dozen horses can be transported on a single flight.

 

Comfortable stopover in Frankfurt

  • The Frankfurt Animal Lounge is designed for the care of horses.
  • Hard-wearing asphalt floors are better suited to horses than concrete.
  • 42 stalls can be flexibly adjusted to space requirements, with up to 28 m² per horse.
  • High hygiene standards, dust-free sawdust, and quality hay.
  • The General Terms and Conditions (Frankfurt Animal Lounge) apply.

 

Horse containers for more comfort

  • Specialised horse containers developed together with VRR Aviation.
  • Space for up to three horses per container.
  • Lots of room to the sides for a stress-free journey.
  • Wide ramps for easier loading.
  • Light-coloured interior to reduce fear related to dark spaces.
  • Sliding partitions in the upper part of the walls provide better visual separation between the animals.
  • Large windows in the covers allow fresh air to circulate.

 

Greater safety for your horses

  • Better protection from injury, heat, and cold, thanks to cutting-edge modern plastic materials instead of aluminium in the interior.
  • Particularly visible flooring with a stable, non-slip surface for better grip and easier loading.
  • Automatic roll-up covers at the front and back to speed up loading and unloading.

For pets

First class: Pet Premium

  • Pets always fly quickly and safely with Lufthansa Cargo. On flights with a stopover in Frankfurt, you can also book our exclusive service for dogs and cats: Pet Premium.
  • You can rely on our trained team: processing, care, and transport procedures are based on species-specific and individual needs.

 

More comfort and communication

  • More space to relax: accommodation in much more spacious kennels at the Frankfurt Animal Lounge*.
  • Special transport requirements support: whether allergies, administration of medication, or specific food. Our trained animal keepers will take care of it.
  • Arrival update: photos are taken at the Frankfurt Animal Lounge upon arrival, and sent to the owners.
  • Information sheet: provided before the start of the journey, so owners receive all necessary information in a timely manner and can plan accordingly.
  • Personal contact: owners can get in touch with their personal contact at any time via an exclusive email address.

 

Transportation of dogs to the USA

Regulatory update: effective August 1, 2024, new restrictions imposed by U.S. authorities affect the transport of dogs as carry-on baggage in the cabin and in the cargo hold. Dogs can still be transported to the USA as air freight with Lufthansa Cargo’s reliable live animal transport offer.

 

*Subject to availability.

Infrastructure database

Plan ahead with our comprehensive infrastructure database: find out more about our product availability and capability at our stations viaour stations. 

 

Suited to your animal's needs

  • Processes and services tailored to each species.

  • Extensive experience in the transportation of show, recreational, and breeding horses.
  • Pet Premium for household pets, including photo documentation.
  • Transport of ornamental fish includes a black-light veterinary check, with optional oxygen supply possible in the event of irregularities.
  • Tailored, low-stress transportation of zoo and large animals, e.g. for endangered species breeding programs.
  • Transport of eggs and day-old chicks with minimal temperature fluctuations as possible, using Frankfurt air-conditioned storage areas and transport in temperature-controlled vehicles for day-old chicks.

An exclusive domain for animals – at the Frankfurt Animal Lounge

Have a look...

  • The world’s most modern animal station at the Frankfurt hub, measuring 4,000 m²​.
  • 24/7 care, including handling, animal coordination, and veterinary services under one roof.
  • A team of trained staff and animal keepers guarantees the best possible care.

  • Access restricted to authorized staff​.

  • Import, export, and transit zones physically separated, with additional visual and acoustic separation and hard-wearing asphalt flooring.

  • 42 large-animal stalls, 61 dog kennels, 3 quiet zones for cats, 18 climate chambers, 2 aviaries, black light area for examining ornamental fish​.

  • Animals can be collected directly from the Frankfurt Animal Lounge at Gate 26 (including all documents for veterinary and customs clearance*). 

  • If you have any questions about the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, pleaseget in touch with us.

 

*If your animals are transported with an airline other than Lufthansa Cargo, please contact your airline in advance for documentary procedures.​

The Animal Lounge Frankfurt.

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Would you like to take a quick glimpse at our Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge?

On our YouTube channel, you will find a general video about theLufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge, as well as another one dedicated tohorses at the Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge.

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Important information

Travelling with snub-nosed dogs

  • Dogs belonging to snub-nosed breeds have anatomically restricted airways, which can make breathing difficult.
  • The stress caused by transportation, especially high temperatures at the departure and destination airports can cause circulatory issues that may result in breathing problems.
  • For this reason, Lufthansa Cargo applies transport restrictions for snub-nosed dog breeds (temperature restriction list) at high temperatures at the departure or destination airport.
  • To further minimize transport risk, we recommend the ‘Fit to Fly Assessment’ program developed by IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) for these critical breeds.
  • Learn more about BOAS and certified shippersIPATA Brachycephalic Certification Program.

Dry ice and re-icing

  • Provided it is correctly declared, dry ice may be packed in Live Animals shipments if prior approval has been granted by Lufthansa Cargo’s Global Handling Department.

  • However, re-icing of Live Animals shipments cannot be provided, not even in the event of irregularities or if a temperature (range) had been stated on an AWB for a Live Animals shipment.

  • If a shipment requires re-icing or has other special requirements, please choose a relevant Product or Add-on Service, that covers these needs.
  • For more details, please see the other Product pages on this website or ask your Lufthansa Cargo Sales contact.

Want to know more?

Take a look at our commodities, Speeds, and ULD options, as well as our current flight schedule, industry experience, and more.