How Are Fresh Flowers Prepared for International Air Freight?
Lufthansa Cargo has introduced a new Add-on Service Emergency for highly time-critical shipments, giving customers the highest transport priority and guaranteed uplift for selected shipments.
The new service became effective on September 16, 2026, replacing the previous standalone Emergency product with a more flexible add-on model. The change is part of Lufthansa Cargo’s modular service portfolio and is designed to give customers greater flexibility when shipping critical cargo.
The Add-on Service Emergency is designed for shipments that cannot afford significant delays.
According to Lufthansa Cargo, the service provides the highest priority access and uplift for the selected Product-Speed combination. It can also be booked at short notice, subject to the applicable latest acceptance time and available capacity.
The service is intended for situations where normal air freight options may not provide enough urgency or reliability.
Examples include:
Before September 16, Lufthansa Cargo offered Emergency as a standalone product.
The company has now changed Emergency into an Add-on Service.
This means customers can combine the emergency priority option with eligible transportation products and speed options. Lufthansa Cargo says the change follows the logic of its modular service portfolio, providing greater transparency and flexibility.
The previous Product Emergency was discontinued on September 16, 2026, while the new Add-on Service Emergency continues to provide the highest level of transport priority.
The service is available for several cargo categories.
According to Lufthansa Cargo, eligible products include:
The service can be combined with the td.Flash and td.Zoom speed options, subject to applicable conditions and restrictions.
This gives customers more flexibility when selecting a transportation solution based on the urgency and characteristics of their cargo.
One of the most important features of the new service is guaranteed uplift.
For highly time-critical shipments, cargo space and transportation reliability can be just as important as flight speed.
Lufthansa Cargo states that the Emergency service provides the highest priority access and uplift according to the customer’s selected transport plan. It also provides access to the maximum freight capacity of the booked flight, including for short-notice requirements, subject to the applicable conditions.
This can be particularly important for businesses that depend on urgent deliveries to maintain production or supply essential goods.
Lufthansa Cargo is also emphasizing continuous customer support.
The Emergency service can be booked 24/7 through the eBooking platform, subject to available capacity. If the required capacity cannot be booked online, customers can contact Lufthansa Cargo’s local representatives or customer service teams.
The service also includes:
These features are designed to provide greater visibility throughout the transportation process.
Global supply chains increasingly depend on fast transportation.
A delayed shipment can affect production schedules, inventory availability, or customer commitments.
This is especially important for industries such as:
Medical products and samples can have strict delivery requirements and limited shelf lives.
A missing spare part can potentially interrupt an entire production line.
Manufacturers often rely on fast delivery of components to avoid production delays.
High-value electronic components may require rapid and secure transportation.
For these industries, transportation reliability can be as important as transit time.
Dangerous Goods can be transported through Lufthansa Cargo under applicable IATA and safety requirements.
Lufthansa Cargo states that its Dangerous Goods services cover all nine dangerous goods classes, subject to applicable restrictions, and that some shipments can receive higher priority through td.Flash, td.Zoom, or Emergency services.
However, not every Dangerous Goods shipment can automatically use every service option.
Specific commodities, capacity limits, regulations, and flight restrictions may affect availability. Businesses should therefore confirm the applicable requirements before booking.
The introduction of Emergency as an add-on gives businesses another way to customize their air freight solutions.
Instead of selecting a completely separate emergency product, customers can combine transportation products, speed options, and additional priority services according to shipment requirements.
This modular approach may be particularly useful for freight forwarders managing different types of cargo for multiple customers.
For exporters, the key considerations remain:
Companies shipping ultra-urgent cargo should prepare all information before contacting the airline or freight forwarder.
Important preparation steps include:
Accurate information can help reduce booking delays and improve the chances of securing the required transportation solution.
The Lufthansa Cargo update reflects a broader trend in international logistics.
Businesses increasingly require transportation services that combine speed, capacity, visibility, and reliability.
For highly critical shipments, simply booking the fastest available flight may not always be sufficient.
Customers may also need priority capacity, proactive monitoring, dedicated support, and contingency management.
The development of modular emergency services shows how air cargo providers are adapting their products to these increasingly complex requirements.
It is an Add-on Service designed for highly time-critical shipments requiring the highest transport priority and uplift.
The new Add-on Service Emergency became effective on September 16, 2026.
Certain Dangerous Goods shipments can use Emergency, subject to commodity, safety, capacity, and regulatory restrictions.
Yes. Lufthansa Cargo states that Emergency can be booked through its eBooking platform 24/7, subject to available capacity.
The service is particularly relevant to critical pharmaceuticals, medical samples, industrial spare parts, and other shipments where delays can have significant consequences.
Lufthansa Cargo’s new Emergency Add-on Service provides an additional solution for businesses shipping ultra-urgent cargo. Effective from September 16, 2026, the service combines the highest transport priority with guaranteed uplift, 24/7 support, proactive monitoring, and a money-back guarantee under applicable conditions.
For exporters and freight forwarders handling critical shipments, the new service highlights the growing importance of reliability and priority capacity in modern air cargo. As global supply chains become increasingly time-sensitive, specialized emergency air freight solutions are likely to remain an important part of international logistics.
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