Business week recently did an article about how transporting animals is a pretty lucrative freight business for some major airlines such as Lufthansa, Emirates, and Air France / KLM. Lufthansa alone transported over 110 million creatures last year though the number is a bit deceiving when you take into account the tons of worms and tropical fish included in that number.

Lufthansa even has an animal lounge spawning 3750 square meters that includes the latest in comforts for your animals such as slip proof flooring and a roof to keep the animals dry. No word on if there is unlimited alfalfa or upscale birdseed included with your stay. I assume Animal Planet would be playing on the overhead monitors.

Sample cost of flying a horse from Frankfurt to New York runs about $6,000 and you probably don’t even earn any Miles and More miles for the horse. Lufthansa also cautions, “Please also ensure that you arrive at the airport with your animal in plenty of time before departure. In Frankfurt you should be at check-in at least one hour before departure.” I wonder if you’re allowed to ride your horse to the terminal or perhaps walk alongside your pancake tortoise to check in.

They don’t only specialize in horses, but other animals such as rhinos, hippos, penguins, dogs and pigs.

The next time you’re enjoying yourself at a lounge in Frankfurt, just remember that there are some furry friends that are having an equally enjoyable time at the animal lounge and some parakeets are probably enjoying priority boarding.

Thanks to reader Sice for the tip

The Airline World Cup started with 72 airlines. Through regional voting, this was whittled down to 32 airlines.

Cathay Pacific set the tone early with their 103-17 throttling of Finnair. It was on to Air New Zealand where once again a 62-20 result was never in question.

In the elite eight, Cathay demolished Emirates 82-24. Heavyweight Lufthansa was next in the final four and while they put up an early flight, Cathay pulled away 77-35.

This left Cathay and Singapore Airlines in the final. If there was any doubt, Cathay ran away with the final with a whopping 438 votes to Singapore Airlines 163 votes.

The commentors weighed in on the strength of Cathay Pacific. Samuel said “Cathay is far more generous with elite benefits and premium class inventory.”

Emma says ” Cathay Pacific crews are most helpful, I often see them trying their best to help the passengers with their baggage on the overhead lockers”

Jessica stated, “In comparison, with the first elite tier in CX’s Marco Polo Club it already rewards you with basically all the perks you need (lounge access when flying CX/KA, priority check-in, priority boarding, etc.). And then there’s the decent chance of op-ups vs. 0.001% for SQ.”

Lastly, Garryco sums it up: “Well Done CX. Online booking site is another feature of your service. love your lounges. Food is great too – good choice selections.Would prefer a few more inches between seats in Economy but all in all our Preferred airline for all our travel.”

Thanks to everyone who participated by voting throughout the tournament. I will be sending a trophy and a letter of congratulations to Cathay Pacific’s head office which I’m sure they will be displaying prominently.

Make sure and follow Lufthansa Flyer’s tournament as he launches the Airport World Cup where 64 of the most popular airports compete per Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The championship game is here between the final two airlines in the single elimination Airline World Cup. Cathay Pacific vs Singapore Airlines!

Please vote for your favorite airline between these two to determine the winner of the Airline World Cup. The poll will remain open for 72 hours.

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The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the championship match. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the championship match. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

I was surprised that Cathay Pacific crushed Emirates in the round of 8. It was also surprising that Singapore took down Swiss.

We’re now down to four airlines left to battle for the champion of the Airline World Cup. The four remaining airlines are:

Cathay Pacific

Lufthansa

Singapore Airlines

All Nippon Airways

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the next round of the final 4. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the next round of the final 4. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the next round of the final 4. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.

If this or any other voting ends in a tie, a random number generator will be used to determine the winner.

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the next round of the final 4. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

 Loading ...

The downloadable bracket of all the match ups can be found here.