SunExpress (XQ) is the Turkish-German joint venture out of Antalya and Frankfurt — Cooper hasn't been on one of their routes. Cabin pets only on most flights, with a 72-hour booking window. Pet-prone routes (Turkey holidays from Germany and Northern Europe) tend to fill the cabin pet count early. The booking is handled through their call centre.
SunExpress'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 SunExpress treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cabin | 95% | |
| Carrier max size | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (L × W × H) | 86% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 72 h before departure | 95% |
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the hold | 95% | |
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not yet documented | — | |
| One-way fee | 119.99 EUR | 75% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cargo | 95% |
SunExpress requires the pet booking confirmation by phone at least 72 hours before the flight. Online booking does not include the pet step. Call SunExpress to confirm the pet's presence on board ahead of the 72-hour window; without confirmation, the pet is denied at the airport. The booking call also verifies the carrier dimensions for the operating aircraft.
Frequently asked
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on SunExpress?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, SunExpress charges from 119.99 EUR in the hold, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on SunExpress?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 72 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.
SunExpress is a Turkey-Germany cabin pet carrier with a 72-hour booking lead time. Your plan opens with a call to the SunExpress reservations line at the earliest opportunity, confirms the cabin pet slot for the route, and brings the EU pet passport plus rabies vaccination certificate to check-in. Same-day requests are not on the menu.
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.