Live Animals
Important Update: Transportation of Dogs to the USA
Effective August 1, 2024, new restrictions imposed by the US authorities will impact the transportation of dogs as carry-on baggage in the cabin or in the cargo hold. It is still possible to have dogs transported to the USA as air freight with our reliable animal transport offer.
Please note: Private individuals need to book through a freight forwarder – find the one that’s right for you with our Animal forwarder search.
Species-appropriate, individualized transportation for live animals
From pets, horses and exotic animals to ornamental fish, insects and livestock: We guarantee that animals travel comfortably, with minimal stress thanks to 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 and with the best possible care
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With Lufthansa Cargo, live animals are always transported with the highest priority and fast transport times
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Species-appropriate accommodation throughout the journey: specially developed horse containers and plastic containers for pets with excellent ventilation
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During transit, all animals are cared for according to their needs, examined, fed and watered
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Compliance with the strict requirements of the IATA Live Animals Regulations and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
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Frankfurt Animal Lounge at our biggest hub
For horses
Customized transport for horses
- Whether it’s a sports horse, youngster talent or recreational horse – with us, you can be sure that processing, care and transport procedures are adjusted to suit their species-specific needs.
- Our reliable B777 freighter, special horse containers and the exclusive Frankfurt Animal Lounge ensure that your four-legged friends arrive relaxed. It is even possible to transport several dozen horses on a single flight.
Comfortable stopover in Frankfurt
- Frankfurt Animal Lounge is geared towards the care of horses
- Hard-wearing asphalt floors, which are better suited for horses than concrete
- 42 stalls, which can be flexibly adjusted to space requirements – up to 28 m² per horse
- Highest hygiene standards, dust-free sawdust and quality hay
Horse containers for more comfort
- Specialized horse containers, jointly developed with the container-specialists VRR Aviation
- Space for up to three horses per container
- Lots of room to the sides for a stress-free journey
- Broad ramps for easy loading
- Interior decorated in light colours to reduce fear of ‘dark boxes’
- Optimal visual protection between the animals due to sliding partitions in the upper part of the walls
- Large windows in the covers allow fresh air to get in
Greater safety for your horses
- Better protection from injury, heat and cold: cutting-edge plastic materials instead of aluminum in the interior
- Particularly visible flooring: stable, non-slip surface for optimal grip and better loading
- Easy handling: automatic roll-up covers at the front and back accelerate loading and unloading
For pets
First class: Pet Premium for pets
- 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 processes 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: Whether allergies, administration of medications or special food – our trained animal keepers will take care of it
- Picture upon arrival: photos taken upon arrival in the Frankfurt Animal Lounge and sent to their owners
- Information sheet provided before the start of your journey: Owners receive all necessary information in a timely manner before the start of the journey and can plan accordingly
- Personal contact: Owners can get in touch with their personal contact at any time using an exclusive email address
*Subject to availability
Infrastructure database
Better planning thanks to a comprehensive infrastructure database: find out more about our product availability and capability at our stations via Our stations.
Suited to your animal‘s needs
- Processes and services adjusted to suit each species
- Extensive experience in the transportation of show, recreational and breeding horses
- Pet Premium service for household pets, incl. picture documentation
- Transport of ornamental fish includes black light veterinary check, 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 as little temperature fluctuation as possible, in 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: 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 from each other, plus visual and acoustic separation within zones, hard-wearing asphalt floor
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 (after import clearance*)
Here are the Terms and Conditions for the Animal Lounge and directions for How to get there
If you have any questions about in the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, please get in touch with us
* If your animals are transported with an airline other than Lufthansa Cargo, please contact your airline in advance for documentary procedure.
The Animal Lounge Frankfurt.
Would like to take a quick glimpse at our Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge?
Easy booking, always informed
- Booking via Lufthansa Cargo Service Centers
- eTracking 24/7 via web and mobile app, proactive notifications selectable
- Private individuals need to book through a freight forwarder – find the one that’s right for you with our Animal forwarder search
- If you do not want your animal to be transported as air freight but as excess luggage, please contact the Lufthansa’s passenger department
- You can find information on entering Germany at BMEL or at the Animal Immigration Office in Frankfurt
- You can find information on entering the European Union at europa.eu
- You can find information on entering United Kingdom at the UK government services
- You can find information on entering the United States at the U.S. centers for disease control and prevention (CDC)
- Please note that you need to fill out a Shipper’s Certificate before handing over your animal shipment
- You can find further useful information in our FAQ
Available Speeds
Available Add-on Services
Other available offer elements
Important Information - travelling with snub-nosed dogs
- Dogs belonging to snub-nosed breeds have anatomically restricted airways with the accompanying difficulty in breathing.
- The stress caused by transportation and 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 these special breeds at high temperatures at the departure or destination airport.
- To further minimize the transport risk, we recommend conducting the ‘Fit to Fly Assessment’ program developed by IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) for these critical breeds.
- Find more information about B.O.A.S. and certified shippers by clicking on the following link: Brachycephalic Certification (ipata.org)
Important information
- Provided it is correctly declared, packing dry ice is generally permissible in Live Animals shipments.
- 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 Product, which covers such needs. Please see the other Product pages on this website for more details or ask your Lufthansa Cargo Sales contact in case of questions.
Want to know more?
Take a look at your choice of commodities, Speeds and ULD Options as well as our current flight schedule, our industry experience and much more.
- Whenever it needs to go: Our schedule
- Whenever it needs to go: Our stations
- Directly to the answers: Contact & Support
- Directly to the answers: FAQ
- Find out more about the transportation regulations:
- Information about restrictions for specifics breeds at high tempertature: Specifica
- Always needed: Shipper's certificate
- For private shipper: Animal forwarder
- Outlined in depth: Terms and Conditions for the Animal Lounge
- How to get there Animal Lounge Frankfurt
- Get to know us and get in touch with us in the Animal Lounge Frankfurt: Take a look and/or contact us
- A perfect fit for your shipments: ULDs for animals
- Your shipment always in view: Track now
- Explained in details: Other Charges
- Outlined in depth: General Terms
- Experience is the key: Premium industry solutions
- At the Speeds of your needs: Our three Speeds at a glance
