DE runs a tighter operation than most leisure carriers when it comes to pet travel — cabin slots are limited but the booking process is genuinely simple. Nala once watched me fight a different airline's pet booking system for an hour, then we tried DE the following week and were confirmed in under ten minutes. The single decision that determines your timing is the 24-hour cutoff: cabin slots stay open until then but go to whoever asks first.
DE's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How DE treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier max size | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (L × W × H) | 95% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 24 h before departure | 95% |
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not yet documented | — | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 85% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 95% |
Cabin pet reservations on DE close 24 hours before departure. The cutoff is firm and applies across all routes regardless of cabin slot availability. Last-minute travelers cannot add a pet to an existing booking inside that window, even when the cabin is otherwise empty. Confirm and pay for the cabin pet slot at the time of ticket purchase to avoid losing access to the slot.
Frequently asked
- How far in advance must I book my pet on DE?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 24 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
For DE: lock in your cabin pet slot at the same time as your ticket, no later than 24 hours before departure. Confirm carrier dimensions match the airline's standard, and bring printed health documentation even for short EU hops. Build your plan against your departure date in Pawgo before booking — it confirms cabin slot capacity for your specific DE flight and flags any breed restrictions.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.