ITA Airways Now Allows Large Dogs in the Cabin — Here Is Everything You Need to Know
For the first time in European commercial aviation, a scheduled airline is allowing large dogs — dogs up to 30 kilograms — to travel in the passenger cabin alongside their owners.
ITA Airways, Italy's national carrier and a member of the Lufthansa Group, officially launched its Large Dog On Board service on 3 August 2026. The service follows regulatory approval from ENAC, Italy's National Civil Aviation Authority, and a successful demonstration flight conducted in September 2024 between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino — the first time large dogs had ever crossed Italian airspace in the cabin of a commercial aircraft.
This is the complete, officially verified guide to everything you need to know before you book.
If you want a personalised pet travel checklist - Pet Holiday Club | International Pet Travel Requirements for 194+ Countries
What Is the ITA Airways Large Dog On Board Service?
The Large Dog On Board service allows dogs weighing more than the standard cabin transport limits — and up to 30 kilograms — to travel in the passenger cabin on selected domestic Italian flights. These flights are specifically identified as Large Dog flights in the booking system.
The service is available exclusively on domestic routes within Italy. International flights are not included. Standard weight limits continue to apply on all international ITA Airways routes.
When It Starts and Which Flights Are Eligible
The service launches on 3 August 2026.
Not all ITA Airways domestic flights qualify. Only flights specifically designated as Large Dog flights are eligible. The list of qualifying routes is published on the ITA Airways website. Availability on each flight depends on the type of aircraft, the presence of other animals on board, and the operational conditions of the flight.
Confirmation is always subject to prior verification. You cannot assume a flight is available for this service without confirming through the booking process.
How Many Dogs Per Flight
A maximum of two large dogs are permitted in the cabin per flight, within the following weight bands:
One dog weighing more than 10kg and up to 15kg
One dog weighing more than 15kg and up to 30kg
Exact Seat Configuration — By Aircraft Type
This is the most specific piece of information in the entire policy and the part most sources get wrong. The seating arrangement differs by aircraft.
On Airbus A220:
Dogs over 15kg up to 30kg travel in the first row, left side of the cabin, window seat. The owner sits in the adjacent aisle seat.
Dogs over 10kg up to 15kg travel in the last row, left side of the cabin, window seat. The owner sits in the adjacent aisle seat.
On Airbus A319 and A320:
Dogs over 15kg up to 30kg travel in the first row, left side of the cabin, window seat. The owner sits in the middle seat. The aisle seat remains empty.
Dogs over 10kg up to 15kg travel in the last row, left side of the cabin, window seat. The owner sits in the middle seat. The aisle seat may be assigned to another passenger.
In all cases: the dog cannot sit on the seat. The dog travels on a mat provided by ITA Airways, placed on the floor in front of the dedicated seat. The owner sits in the adjacent seat according to the configuration specified above.
What the Dog Must Wear and Do On Board
On every Large Dog On Board flight, the dog must:
Wear a muzzle, collar, and leash
Wear a crash-tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213 standards — used to secure the dog to the seat belt for the entire duration of the flight
Remain in its assigned area for the entire journey
The harness standard is not optional. If the harness is not present at check-in, boarding will be refused.
Dog Requirements
To use the Large Dog On Board service, the dog must:
Be at least 6 months old
Be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip
Have a valid rabies vaccination and up-to-date core vaccinations
Have received antiparasitic treatment
Be certified as suitable for flight by a veterinarian — both in terms of health and behaviour
Be covered by mandatory RC PET liability insurance
Have a crash-tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213
Documents Required at Booking and Check-In
The following must be presented both when requesting the service and at airport check-in:
Veterinary certificate issued no more than 20 days before the flight — confirming the dog's suitability for travel, including health status, behaviour assessment, and weight
Identification document or pet passport for the animal
Updated vaccination records
RC PET liability insurance certificate
Pet Acceptance Form signed by the owner (downloadable from the ITA Airways website)
Crash-tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213 — verified at check-in
If any required document is missing, or if the harness does not comply with the specified standards, the service cannot be confirmed and boarding will be denied.
How to Book — Step by Step
Step 1: The service can only be requested and purchased through the ITA Airways CIAO Contact Centre. It cannot be added online, through a travel agency, or through standard self-service booking flows.
Step 2: Book as far in advance as possible and at least 4 days before the flight departure date. Confirmation is always subject to availability and compliance verification.
Step 3: Web check-in is not available for this service. Check-in must be completed at the airport.
Step 4: All document and harness verification takes place at the airport at check-in.
If you plan to travel to Italy, check: Italy — Pet Travel Index 2026 | #24 of 194
What It Costs
Purchasing the Large Dog On Board service requires buying two tickets — to guarantee the dedicated space in the cabin — plus a PETX transport fee of €95.
The total cost is therefore: two standard tickets at the applicable fare level, plus €95 per flight. The full pricing example for each fare class is available on the ITA Airways Large Dog On Board page.
Important: Assistance Dogs Have Priority
If a trained assistance dog (SVAN — a dog supporting a person with a physical, sensory, or psychiatric disability) is present on the flight, it takes priority over dogs booked through the Large Dog On Board service.
If one SVAN is on board, only one Large Dog On Board may also travel. If two SVANs are present, the Large Dog On Board service may not be available on that flight at all.
When the Service May Not Be Available
The service will not be confirmed in the following situations:
The flight is not designated as a Large Dog flight
Availability on that flight is exhausted
There are operational or safety restrictions
Required documentation is incomplete or non-compliant
The dog does not meet the specified requirements
The Battesimo dell'Aria — First Flight Certificate
For dogs flying for the first time: ITA Airways offers a Battesimo dell'Aria — an Air Baptism Certificate that can be signed by the flight commander as a memento of the journey. It is available to download from the ITA Airways website.
What This Means for International Pet Owners
The Large Dog On Board service currently applies to domestic Italian flights only. If you are travelling to Italy from another country — from the UK, USA, Georgia, Turkey, France, Germany, or anywhere else — your large dog still travels in cargo on the international portion of your journey. The cabin option becomes available only on the domestic Italian leg.
This also means that international entry requirements for Italy still apply fully. Entering Italy with a dog from a non-EU country requires an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of arrival for UK and most non-EU residents, or a USDA-endorsed health certificate for US residents.
For a complete personalised checklist of what your dog needs to enter Italy from your specific country — visit petholidayclub.com. Pet Holiday Club covers Italy and 193 other countries with government-sourced, vet-verified requirements updated daily.
Why This Matters for Pet Travel Globally
ITA Airways is the first scheduled European airline to operate this service at scale following regulatory approval from a national civil aviation authority. The September 2024 demonstration flight proved operational feasibility. The August 2026 launch proves commercial viability.
The pet travel industry is watching. If ITA's domestic rollout succeeds — and ENAC's regulatory framework holds — the pressure on other European civil aviation authorities to introduce equivalent regulations becomes significant.
For now, Italy is the only country in Europe where you can legally fly with a large dog in the cabin of a commercial scheduled flight.
For everything your dog needs to travel to Italy or anywhere else in the world — and to check whether your documents are correct before you get to the airport — visit petholidayclub.com. Pet Holiday Club is the world's first AI-powered international pet travel platform. 194 countries. Government-sourced. Vet-verified. Updated every day. Global pet travel made simple. 🐾
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I fly with my large dog in the cabin on ITA Airways from August 2026?
Yes, but only on selected domestic Italian flights designated as Large Dog flights. The service starts 3 August 2026, allows dogs up to 30kg, and must be booked through the ITA Airways CIAO Contact Centre at least 4 days before departure. International routes are not included.
Q: What harness does my dog need for ITA Airways Large Dog On Board?
Your dog must wear a crash-tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213 standards. This harness is used to secure the dog to the seat belt for the entire flight. It is mandatory — if it is not present at check-in, boarding will be denied.
Q: How much does the ITA Airways Large Dog On Board service cost?
You must purchase two tickets at the applicable fare level plus a PETX transport fee of €95 per flight. The full pricing breakdown by fare class is available on the official ITA Airways website.
Q: Where does the dog sit on ITA Airways Large Dog flights?
The dog travels on a mat on the floor in front of a dedicated window seat — not on the seat. Seating position depends on the aircraft type. On Airbus A220, dogs over 15kg travel in the first row; on A319/A320, the same weight band uses the first row with the centre seat left empty. Exact configuration is confirmed at booking.
Q: Does my dog need a vet certificate to fly on ITA Airways Large Dog On Board?
Yes. A veterinary certificate issued no more than 20 days before the flight is required, confirming the dog's suitability for travel including health status, behaviour, and weight. An ISO microchip, valid vaccinations, antiparasitic treatment, RC PET liability insurance, and a signed pet acceptance form are also required.
Q: What documents does my dog need to enter Italy from the UK or USA?
The Large Dog On Board service covers in-cabin travel on domestic Italian routes — it does not change Italy's international entry requirements. UK residents need an Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. US residents need a USDA-endorsed health certificate. For a personalised checklist for your specific route visit petholidayclub.com.
