FRANKFURT— A passenger has filed a lawsuit against Lufthansa (LH) after claiming a flight attendant’s outburst caused injury to their $2,000 pet cat during an international flight. The incident occurred while traveling from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to Munich Airport (MUC), with a connection to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

The passenger alleges that the flight attendant’s aggressive behavior startled them, causing them to squeeze the carrier and unintentionally harm their cat. The complaint seeks compensation from Lufthansa for physical and emotional damages.

Passenger Files Lawsuit Against Lufthansa

According to court documents filed in the Northern District of California, the lawsuit argues that the pet carrier should be treated as hand luggage, allowing passengers access to it during the flight.

The passenger contends they had the right to comfort their distressed cat, despite repeated warnings from the crew to keep the animal secured under the seat.

The situation escalated when the flight attendant allegedly grabbed the passenger’s shoulder and threatened to divert the flight if they continued to open the carrier. The passenger says this confrontation led to the accidental injury of the cat.

After landing at Munich Airport (MUC), the passenger claims they were temporarily barred from boarding the connecting flight to San Francisco and placed on Lufthansa’s internal “Black List.” They were eventually permitted to continue their journey, but reported feeling humiliated and discriminated against.

Legal Basis of the Claim

The case has been filed under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines liable for injuries sustained during air travel.

The passenger argues they suffered both physical harm—when the crew member allegedly grabbed their shoulder—and emotional distress stemming from the confrontation and near denial of onward travel.

Lufthansa may counter that the passenger’s own actions led to the incident. Ignoring multiple warnings could be interpreted as non-compliance with safety instructions, giving the crew grounds to intervene.

According to PYOK, the court will likely evaluate whether the flight attendant’s response was proportionate or excessive under the circumstances.

Airline Policy on Pets in Cabin

Lufthansa’s pet policy clearly states that animals traveling in the cabin must remain in a soft-sided carrier stored in the footwell for the entire flight.

Passengers are required to sign a waiver acknowledging this rule before boarding. The airline also reserves the right to move pets to the cargo hold if their behavior disrupts the cabin environment.

Pet travel regulations vary significantly worldwide. While it’s common for U.S. and European carriers to allow small cats and dogs in the cabin, other regions maintain stricter rules.

For example, the United Kingdom prohibits cabin pets except for service animals, and Qatar Airways allows falcons on board but bans cats and dogs in the cabin.

Australia recently changed its policy, with Virgin Australia (VA) becoming the first carrier in the country to permit small pets in the cabin, following updated aviation guidelines.

If the court sides with the passenger, airlines may need to revisit their pet travel policies to clarify passenger rights and cabin procedures. Conversely, if Lufthansa prevails, it will reinforce current safety-driven restrictions on accessing pets during flight.

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