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Great news for pet parents in Italy! From May 12, 2025, travelling with your dog just got a whole lot easier, thanks to updated regulations from ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile). Say goodbye to the old restrictions that often forced medium and large dogs into the cargo hold; now, your beloved companion can join you directly in the cabin!
What’s Changing with Italy’s Latest Pet Travel Rules?
These new guidelines from ENAC are set to revolutionise pet travel within and from Italy, offering greater flexibility and comfort for both owners and their furry pals. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:
- Cabin Access for More Dogs: This is the big one! Regardless of their size, more dogs can now access the passenger cabin. No longer just limited to smaller breeds, even your medium or larger dogs can enjoy the flight right by your side.
- Relaxed Weight Limits: The combined weight of your dog and its carrier will be less of a hurdle. While airlines will still set their own limits, the ENAC regulation allows you to exceed previous restrictions, provided the total weight doesn’t surpass that of an average passenger with luggage, which is estimated around 84 kg. This is fantastic news for owners of bigger breeds!
- Secure and Suitable Carriers: Your dog’s safety during the flight is paramount. The carrier must be approved and suitable, ensuring your pet has enough space and comfort. It’s crucial that you securely fasten it using the aircraft’s seatbelts or other compatible restraint systems, and you position it so it doesn’t block emergency exits.
- Essential Documentation: Before you jet off, make sure you have all your pet’s health documentation in order. For travel within Italy, your dog’s health booklet should suffice. For European destinations, a valid pet passport is mandatory, and for non-EU countries, you may need specific international health certificates.
- Book Your Pet’s Spot in Advance: Airlines limit the number of spaces for pets on each flight (whether in the cabin or cargo hold). To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend booking your dog’s place well in advance by contacting your airline’s customer service directly.
Airline-Specific Policies: What You Need to Know for Flights from Italy
While these new ENAC regulations provide a general framework, it’s vital to remember that each airline may have its own specific rules. Always double-check with your chosen carrier before you book.
- ITA Airways: This Italian flag carrier allows pets in the cabin. Currently, the maximum permitted weight is 10 kg for domestic flights (excluding the carrier) and 8 kg for other flights (again, excluding the carrier). Carrier dimensions must not exceed 24 cm high, 40 cm long, and 30 cm wide (20 cm on international flights). ITA Airways also offers transport in climate-controlled and pressurised cargo holds for larger animals, with varying costs.
- Ryanair: This airline largely maintains its policy of not allowing pets on board, with the key exception of guide or assistance dogs on specific routes.
- Other Airlines: Italian and international carriers like Aeroitalia, Air Dolomiti, Lumiwings, and Neos do accept animals on board, but they each have their own specific rules regarding weight, carrier size, and fees. We strongly advise you to check their official websites for the most current details.
Top Tips for a Smooth Journey with Your Dog from Italy
To ensure a positive travel experience for both you and your canine companion, consider these helpful suggestions:
- Always Check Your Airline’s Rules: Never assume! Thoroughly review the specific policies of your airline regarding carrier size, maximum weight, required documents, and any other pertinent details.
- Prepare Your Dog for Travel: Gradually introduce your dog to its carrier in the days or weeks leading up to your trip. Pack essential items like foldable bowls, wipes, a familiar blanket, and, of course, all necessary health documents.
- Book Early: Spots for pets in the cabin (and cargo hold) are limited. Make sure to book your dog’s travel as soon as you confirm your own flight. For example, ITA Airways requires you to book your pet’s travel at least 48 hours in advance via their Customer Information Assistance Office.
- Guide and Assistance Dogs: Recognised guide and assistance dogs (for mobility, visual, auditory, cognitive, or psychiatric disabilities) benefit from special regulations, allowing them to travel in the cabin free of charge, regardless of their size or breed.
- Brachycephalic Breeds – A Note of Caution: If your dog is a brachycephalic breed (with a “snub nose,” like Bulldogs or Pugs), carefully consider the risks of cargo hold transport due to their sensitivity to stress and temperature changes. Many airlines advise against or even prohibit transporting these breeds in the cargo hold for their safety.
Refunds and Other Important Details
Should unforeseen circumstances arise, you may claim a refund for the pet transport service due to the illness or death of the animal itself, or in the case of illness or death of close relatives or other passengers on the same booking. You will need to present a valid veterinary or medical certificate.
The new ENAC 2025 regulations mark a significant step forward for animal welfare during transit and offer greater freedom for owners to bring their pets on holiday. With proper preparation and adherence to the rules, your next flight with your dog is set to be a calm and memorable experience!
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Basically, a nice approach with a good will…
But I still don’t understand, how airlines can allow pets in cabin which are heavier than 8kg legally according to European regulations if not holding an excemption on that. Aditionally, the straint bars underneath a passenger seat are designed and certified to withstand a max. load of 9kg according to CS 25 (building regulation for commecial aircraft) if not otherwise indicated by a max. load plackard. Allowing 10kg or even 12kg would mean an opreation exceeding the structural limits.
Another thing is the IATA Life Animal Regulation (LAR) that all IATA-airlines are obligued to comply with. The LAR clearly states that an animal must be able to move, stand and lie within the carrier. Which kind of dog that is able to stand within 24cm hight is heavier than 8kg?
Concerning the transport of bigger dogs on a passenger seat, up to now, there are no certified carriers available on the market that are capable to be fixed safeley with an aircraft seatbelt. Child restraind devices (CRD) for example, must have a certification placard in order to be accepted for use.
The passenger seatbelts in aircraft are designed to hold humans with legs going down, thats why only a hip-belt is sufficient. I don’t want to imagine, how a hard case carrier is beeing thrown around through the cabin in case of turbulences or a rejected take off if it is not sufficiently attached to the seat.
So first, there must be somone to take the initiative and design and certify such a carrier. Just my 5 cents…
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed comment 🙏 You’ve raised really valid points about weight limits, CS 25 certification, and the IATA Live Animal Regulations.
You’re right — under current EU rules, most airlines cap cabin weight at 8kg including the carrier, and the 24cm height restriction means only very small dogs realistically qualify. That’s why you’ll notice there’s still a lot of inconsistency: some non-EU airlines do allow slightly heavier pets in cabin (10–12kg), often under special exemptions or national regulations, while EU carriers remain more strict.
And yes, you’re absolutely right that safety certification is a big gap. As of now, there isn’t a certified carrier designed to attach securely to a passenger seatbelt — which is why we don’t see larger dogs in cabin legally. Like you said, this would need an official initiative, design, and testing before regulators could ever approve it.
For now, the reality is:
🐾 Small dogs and cats under 8kg in approved carriers can fly in cabin (with variations by airline).
🐾 Larger pets still must travel in the hold unless they’re certified assistance animals.
I really appreciate you highlighting the technical side — I think pet parents often don’t see how much regulation and engineering goes into these rules. Hopefully in the future we’ll see innovation around safer, certified carriers for medium-sized dogs, because there’s clearly a demand.
Thanks again for adding your insights!