Flying with dog from FRA to GRU, some help and advice needed

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a direct flight from Frankfurt (FRA) to São Paulo / Guarulhos (GRU) with my small dog and would appreciate advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

Key points:

• Dog + carrier are below the airline weight limit
• The challenge is carrier height: she is about 5 cm over at the back, and about 10 cm over at the top of her head when standing
• She can turn around and lie down comfortably
• I know some airlines are more flexible, but it often depends on ground staff

Questions:

1. What’s the best way to approach ground staff at check-in in a borderline case like this?
2. Is it better to let them assess quietly, or calmly explain upfront?
3. If initially denied, is it reasonable to politely ask for a supervisor review?
4. Any day-of-travel tips that helped increase your chances?

Thanks a lot for any real experiences or suggestions.