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

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.

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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.

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

The eight airlines left are:

Emirates

Cathay Pacific

American Airlines

Lufthansa

Swiss

Singapore Airlines

All Nippon Airways

Korean Air

Vote for your favorite airline between these two. The winner will advance to the next round of the final 8. The poll will remain open for 48 hours.

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

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

 Loading ...

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

Sign up here for a free $50 voucher for Lufthansa for flights booked until May 1, 2011.

You must fly by August 1, 2011 on flights operated by Lufthansa, Lufthansa Italia and Lufthansa Regional Partner (incl. Lufthansa City Line and Eurowings) originating from the US.

UPDATE: Reader Bart pointed out that it is not only for the USA. When you follow the link, it asks for your country and will give you a voucher amount in your local currency. For example, Belgium was 40 Euro. Eligible countries are: USA, Germany, UK, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, China, Netherlands, UAE, India, Austria, Belgium, Singapore, Canada, Turkey, Russia, Hong Kong, Denmark, Portugal. More details are here here.

Lufthansa is giving a $100 voucher towards your next flight originating from the US.

Sign up here with your email address and the voucher will be emailed to you.

The terms and conditions are:
* The voucher can be redeemed between 02 Feb 2011 and 21 Feb 2011.
* Travel must be between 02 Feb 2011 and 31 March2011.
* Vouchers are only valid for itineraries where all flights are operated by Lufthansa, Lufthansa Italia and Lufthansa Regional Partner (incl. Lufthansa City Line and Eurowings).
* The voucher is only valid for flights departing in United States of America.
* Once a promotion code is applied to a reservation and a booking code is issued, the promotion code is considered used and may not be reapplied, reactivated or replaced.