ITA Airways expands cabin pet policy to allow large dogs up to 30 kg

ITA Airways announced that, from 3 August 2026, passengers on selected domestic flights in Italy may travel with large dogs weighing between 10 kg and 30 kg in the cabin. The service, called “Large Dog on Board”, limits each flight to two dogs: one between 10 kg and 15 kg and a second between 15 kg and 30 kg. Dogs are placed on a provided mat in front of a designated window seat, while the owner sits beside them; the animals do not occupy a passenger seat. The airline reserves specific seat rows for the service and caps the number of dogs per aircraft, with implementation varying by aircraft type (e.g., Airbus A220, A319, A320). The offering is positioned as a new add‑on product for the Lufthansa Group and may later be extended to international routes.

The change comes amid a broader shift in European airlines’ pet‑travel rules. While many carriers limit cabin pets to a combined weight of about 8 kg in a carrier, low‑cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet do not permit pets at all. ITA’s policy provides a higher‑weight option for pet owners, potentially influencing other airlines to reconsider their own cabin‑pet allowances.