Lufthansa in-cabin pet policy — and the carriers that fit
Lufthansa allows small pets in the cabin in a carrier up to 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in, soft-sided, stowed under the seat in front of you. Already own a carrier? Enter its measurements below to check it against this limit. In-cabin fee: Charged per flight direction. 1 of the 15 carriers we track clears that published limit.
The Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) is the one that clears it, with 0.6" to spare on its tightest dimension. Lufthansa's 9.1" height ceiling sits mid-pack among the 58 airlines we track (shared with Austrian, Brussels, ITA, SAS Scandinavian, Swiss International, Turkish): Aegean, Air France, Air Transat and Alaska allow more, while EL AL Israel allows only 7".
Will your carrier fit Lufthansa?
Measure the outside of your carrier (bulges included) and enter it below. The check uses Lufthansa’s published 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in limit — height is checked strictly, the footprint may rotate.
Lufthansa pet rules
| Recommended max carrier (soft) | 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in |
| Soft-sided required? | Yes |
| In-cabin fee | Charged per flight direction; Lufthansa publishes no single figure — the price depends on the route and is paid at airport check-in (assistance dogs travel free) · compare all airlines → |
| Species allowed | small dogs, cats |
| Weight | 8 kg (17.6 lb) including the transport container |
| Pets | Max 1 transport container per passenger; normally 1 animal per container, with exceptions allowing 2 animals (two young animals of comparable size min. 12 weeks, two fully grown animals of comparable size, or a mother with one young animal 0–6 weeks) — so max 2 animals per passenger |
| Booking | Register the pet with the Lufthansa Service Center or your travel agency, which checks availability and books it for you — at least 72 hours before departure |
Source: official Lufthansa pet policy · verified 2026-07-23
Carriers that fit Lufthansa
Matched to Lufthansa's published 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in limit (height checked strictly; footprint may rotate). See the full Lufthansa carrier shortlist →
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our specs or which carriers we list.
| Carrier | Size | Fit | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 × 10 × 8.5 in | Fits 0.6" spare | See on Amazon → | |
| 16 × 10.5 × 9.8 in | Flexes — check height | See on Amazon → | |
| 17 × 11 × 10.5 in | Flexes — check height | See on Amazon → | |
| 19 × 11.75 × 11.5 in | Flexes — check height | See on Amazon → | |
| 18.5 × 11.75 × 11.5 in | Flexes — check height | See on Amazon → | |
| 18 × 11.5 × 11.5 in | Flexes — check height | See on Amazon → | |
| 17 × 10 × 10 in | Too tall (10" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 17 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too tall (10.5" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 17 × 8.5 × 10.5 in | Too tall (10.5" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 18.7 × 10.8 × 10.75 in | Too tall (10.75" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 17 × 11 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 16 × 8 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 18 × 11 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 18 × 12 × 12 in | Too tall (12" > 9.1") | See on Amazon → | |
| 22 × 10.5 × 10.5 in | Too big | See on Amazon → |
How to confirm your actual under-seat space
Lufthansa's number is a fleet-wide recommendation, not a promise for your exact seat. Before you buy or fly:
- Check which aircraft operates your flight (in your booking or on a seat-map site).
- Avoid bulkhead and some window seats — they have less (or no) under-seat storage.
- Call Lufthansa to confirm under-seat dimensions for that aircraft, or
- Choose a collapsible / flexible-height carrier that adapts to a tighter space.
More airlines: Air Canada · Alaska Airlines · Allegiant Air · American Airlines · Breeze Airways · Delta Air Lines · Frontier Airlines · Southwest Airlines · United Airlines · all →
Common questions
What size pet carrier does Lufthansa allow in the cabin?
Lufthansa's recommended maximum in-cabin carrier is 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in. It must fit fully under the seat in front of you. Source: the Lufthansa pet policy.
How much does Lufthansa charge for an in-cabin pet?
Charged per flight direction; Lufthansa publishes no single figure — the price depends on the route and is paid at airport check-in (assistance dogs travel free). Always confirm the current fee on the official Lufthansa pet page before you fly.
Which pet carriers fit Lufthansa?
1 of the 15 carriers we track clears Lufthansa's published 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in. The roomiest is the Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small), with 0.6" to spare on its tightest dimension. Full shortlist: /fits/lufthansa/.
Does Lufthansa require a soft-sided pet carrier?
Yes — Lufthansa requires a soft-sided carrier in the cabin. Height is what rules carriers out: Lufthansa publishes 9.1", against 13" at the most generous airline we track.
How many pets can I bring in the cabin on Lufthansa?
Max 1 transport container per passenger; normally 1 animal per container, with exceptions allowing 2 animals (two young animals of comparable size min. 12 weeks, two fully grown animals of comparable size, or a mother with one young animal 0–6 weeks) — so max 2 animals per passenger. Species accepted: small dogs, cats. Weight limit: 8 kg (17.6 lb) including the transport container. Register the pet with the Lufthansa Service Center or your travel agency, which checks availability and books it for you — at least 72 hours before departure