"Farewell, cargo hold: large dogs now allowed in the cabin"

Dogs in the Cabin: Italy Makes Air Travel More Pet-Friendly

Italy has introduced important changes in air travel for dog owners and pet lovers. According to a new resolution by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), pets weighing more than 8–10 kg are now allowed in the airplane cabin. This is groundbreaking news, especially for owners of medium and large dogs who previously had no choice but to send their pets to the cargo hold.

What has changed?

On May 12, 2025, ENAC officially approved a regulation allowing pets in the cabin under specific conditions:

• Dogs can stay in the cabin if placed in an appropriately sized pet carrier.
• The carrier must be secured with seat belts or other fasteners and must not obstruct other passengers.
• The combined weight of the animal and the carrier must not exceed a typical seat load limit (usually around 40–45 kg).
• Each airline is free to set its own policies and limitations for implementing this directive.

What does this mean in practice?

Although the new rules are now in force at the national level, airlines must update their internal procedures individually. That means:

• ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, has not yet officially updated its policy, so large dogs are still only allowed in the cargo hold.
• Other airlines are in the process of reviewing their policies as well.

In summary, legal changes are underway, but implementation will happen gradually—and much depends on how flexible airlines are willing to be.

We’ll be publishing updates as airlines adopt the new rules, so stay tuned to our blog.