‘Large Pet Friendly’ service marks a major shift in Italian aviation policy.
Italy’s flagship carrier ITA Airway on Wednesday confirmed the launch of its “Large Pet Friendly” service, following recent regulatory approval from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC).
Starting in the summer 2026 season, the Italian flag carrier will allow dogs weighing up to 30 kilograms (around 66 pounds) to travel within the passenger cabin on scheduled domestic flights.
Inaugural flight
The move follows a successful demonstration flight conducted last September between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, which proved the operational feasibility of transporting larger animals outside of the aircraft hold.
On board were Honey and Moka, a mixed-breed and a Labrador, becoming the first large dogs in Italy to travel in the cabin of a plane.
Italy’s deputy premier and transport minister Salvini, a driving force behind the initiative, travelled with the animals on board the the inaugural flight, hailing it as a “game changer for millions of passengers”.
Large Pet Friendly
“We have worked to ensure continuity of that experience by transforming it into a “Large Pet Friendly” service available on our domestic flights” – Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said in a statement – “This decision stems from listening to our passengers and the understanding that pets are part of the family: we want every journey to begin and end together, without separation”.
Eberhart added that ITA Airways is committed “to making flights increasingly inclusive, in full compliance with regulations and the highest safety and quality standards.”
New rules
Under the new guidelines, eligible medium-to-large dogs will no longer be restricted to the hold but will instead occupy a dedicated space in the cabin.
While specific commercial details and pricing are expected in the coming weeks, preliminary reports indicate that the service will involve the purchase of a seat or a designated area for the pet, with a likely limit of around six large animals per flight.
This policy significantly expands the previous weight limit, which had been raised from 8 kg to 10 kg in 2024, positioning ITA Airways as a global leader in inclusive air travel for pet owners.
Photo ITA Airways
