ITA Airways allows cats and dogs to travel both in the cabin and in the aircraft hold. For cabin travel on domestic Italian flights, your pet plus carrier can weigh up to 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
For all other flights, including those within Europe or intercontinental routes, the limit is 8 kg (17.6 lbs). You cannot book a pet online and you must contact ITA Airways’ Customer Center at least 48 hours before your flight.
| Policy Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Cabin Weight Limit | Domestic Italy: 12 kg (26.5 lbs) pet + carrier All other routes: 8 kg (17.6 lbs) pet + carrier |
| Carrier Dimensions | Max 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches), soft-sided |
| Domestic Italy Fee | Cabin: €73 (~$80 USD) Hold: €83 (~$91 USD) |
| International Fee Range | Cabin: €100-€230 (~$110-$253 USD) Hold: €120-€300 (~$132-$330 USD) |
| Booking Method | Customer Center phone or airport ticket office only, minimum 48 hours advance |
| Breed Restrictions | 32 dog breeds and 4 cat breeds banned from hold (cabin allowed if under weight limit) |
Flying In-Cabin with ITA Airways
Only cats and dogs are permitted for cabin travel as of December 1, 2025. Your pet must be at least three months old at the time of travel.
Cabin Weight Limits by Route
Flights Within Italy: Maximum combined weight of pet plus carrier is 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
All Other Flights: This includes international routes within Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and long-haul flights to North America, South America, or Asia. The limit drops to 8 kg (17.6 lbs). Once you factor in a soft-sided carrier weighing around 1-1.5 kg (2-3 lbs), your actual pet’s weight budget is closer to 6.5-7 kg (14-15 lbs).
Cabin Capacity: Only one carrier is allowed per passenger. You can have up to two same-species pets inside one carrier if they fit comfortably under the weight limit. The total number of pets allowed per flight cabin is limited but not publicly specified by ITA Airways.
The shift from a domestic Italian flight to any international flight cuts your weight allowance nearly in half. If you’re connecting through Rome Fiumicino or Milan Linate from another country, the stricter 8 kg (17.6 lbs) limit applies to your entire journey.
Cabin Carrier Requirements
Maximum carrier dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches). The total sum of length, width, and height cannot exceed 118 cm (46.5 inches).
- The carrier must be soft-sided, waterproof, well-ventilated, and leak-proof.
- Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around completely, and lie down comfortably inside.
- The carrier counts as your one allowed piece of carry-on baggage.
- The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
How to Book Your Pet on an ITA Airways Flight
You cannot add a pet during online booking. Follow these steps:
- Contact ITA Airways Customer Center by phone or visit an airport ticket office at least 48 hours before departure. Cabin pet spots are limited, so book as far in advance as possible.
- Provide your flight details, pet species, breed, approximate weight, and exact carrier dimensions.
- Pay the applicable fee immediately during the call or at the ticket office.
- Receive confirmation that your pet booking is linked to your Passenger Name Record (PNR).
- Arrive at the airport at least three hours before international flights.
- Check in at the airport ticket counter, not at a kiosk, even if you checked in online.
- Present all required documents: health certificate, EU pet passport (if applicable), rabies vaccination records, and microchip documentation.
- Expect a gate agent to inspect your carrier before boarding to verify it meets size requirements.
Call the Customer Center early in the morning on a weekday, European time, if possible. Hold times tend to be shorter then. Do not assume your booking is complete until you have written confirmation.
ITA Airways Pet Fees by Route
ITA Airways categorizes fees based on whether your pet travels in cabin or hold, and by geographical route category. Fees are charged per segment (one-way). Verify current rates with ITA Airways before booking, as these are subject to change.
Cabin Pet Fees (One-Way)
| Route Category | Fee (EUR) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Italy | €73 | ~$80 | Up to 12 kg (26.5 lbs) including carrier |
| Europe/North Africa/Middle East | €100 | ~$110 | Up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) including carrier |
| North America (NYC, BOS, MIA) | €210 | ~$231 | Up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) including carrier |
| Ultra Long-Haul (LAX, BUE, TYO) | €230 | ~$253 | Up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) including carrier |
Hold Baggage Fees (One-Way, Accompanying Pets)
| Route Category | Fee (EUR) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Italy | €83 | ~$91 | Brachycephalic breeds banned |
| Europe/North Africa/Middle East | €120 | ~$132 | Brachycephalic breeds banned |
| North America (NYC, BOS, MIA) | €280 | ~$308 | Brachycephalic breeds banned |
| Ultra Long-Haul (LAX, BUE, TYO) | €300 | ~$330 | Brachycephalic breeds banned |
USD conversions based on approximate exchange rate of €1 = $1.10 USD as of February 2026. Payment is due at the time of booking.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Service Animals
Service animals, defined as dogs trained to assist a person with motor, visual, hearing, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities, travel free of charge in both cabin and hold. You must provide at least 48 hours advance notice.
Required documentation: Training certificate on official headed paper or stamped by a recognized assistance dog training center.
In-cabin, the service dog must remain under the handler’s control, harnessed, and may leave its carrier if small enough to stay in the floor space without blocking aisles or exits. A muzzle may be requested by the crew.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are no longer recognized by ITA Airways as a special category, following DOT rule changes in the United States. ESAs are considered regular pets and are subject to all standard rules and fees outlined above.
Cargo Hold Travel for Larger Pets
ITA Airways accepts larger cats and dogs as accompanying checked baggage (AVIH, Animals in Hold) up to approximately 75 kg (165 lbs) including the crate, based on secondary sources. The official maximum weight is not explicitly stated on the policy page. Heavier pets may need to be shipped as manifest cargo, arranged separately.
Hold Travel Requirements
- IATA-Compliant Crate: Rigid fiberglass or plastic construction, metal door with three functioning locks (metal nuts and bolts to secure the door), metal side ventilation, wheels removed or taped over, absorbent lining on the bottom. The crate must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down naturally. Size varies by aircraft type. Confirm exact crate size when booking.
- Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are strictly prohibited from traveling in the hold effective October 26, 2025. See full list below.
- Health Documentation: Acclimation certificate or fit-to-fly letter from a veterinarian is strongly recommended, especially for older animals or those traveling in hot or cold climates.
- Booking: Book through the Customer Center with the same 48-hour minimum advance notice. You will need to provide specific measurements of your crate.
Breed Restrictions: Snub-Nosed Pets Banned from Hold
Effective October 26, 2025, ITA Airways prohibits numerous brachycephalic dog and cat breeds from traveling in the aircraft hold due to increased respiratory risks. Existing bookings made before this date were honored. The ban applies year-round, regardless of temperature.
Dog Breeds Banned from Hold
Affenpinscher, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (English Bulldog), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Mastiff, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Valley Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier.
Cat Breeds Banned from Hold
Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Persian, Himalayan.
Important: These breeds are still permitted to travel in the passenger cabin, provided they meet the standard weight and size requirements outlined earlier. Being unable to fly in the hold means a larger French Bulldog exceeding 8 kg (17.6 lbs) cannot fly on ITA Airways at all on most routes. Consider alternative airlines that allow brachycephalic breeds in cargo under special conditions.
If you own a brachycephalic breed and your pet exceeds the cabin weight limit for your route, you cannot fly them on ITA Airways. Book with an airline that permits snub-nosed breeds in climate-controlled cargo, or consider ground transport alternatives.
Required Documents and Health Certificates
- Health Certificate: Valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of departure, stating the animal is fit to fly and vaccinations are current.
- EU Pet Passport: For travel within EU member states, an EU pet passport is the ideal document. It contains microchip details and rabies vaccination history, issued by an official EU veterinarian.
- Rabies Vaccination: Mandatory. Must be up-to-date.
- Microchip: ISO standard microchip preferred, readable by universal scanner. This is especially important when entering the United States.
- Destination-Specific Requirements: The United States requires a CDC Dog Import Permit and forms. The United Kingdom does not allow pets to enter in the cabin except registered service dogs. Quarantine rules apply in many countries. Always check the latest entry regulations with your destination country’s embassy or agricultural authority well before booking your flight.
Route-Specific Restrictions: Where Pets Cannot Fly in Cabin
United Kingdom: Strict rule. No pets are allowed in the passenger cabin except registered service animals. Emotional support animals are considered regular pets and must be shipped as cargo or manifest, which involves customs clearance and a quarantine facility upon arrival. Arrange this far in advance with an independent pet shipping agent.
Ireland and Malta: Specific restrictions may apply. Verify with ITA Airways Customer Center before booking.
Transit Points: Always verify final destination and transit point requirements using the IATA Travel Centre or by consulting your destination embassy.
Frequently Asked Questions: ITA Airways Pet Policy
Can I bring my dog on ITA Airways?
Yes, dogs and cats are permitted to travel either in the passenger cabin (subject to weight limits of 12 kg/26.5 lbs for domestic Italy or 8 kg/17.6 lbs for all other routes) or in the aircraft hold or cargo (subject to breed restrictions). Brachycephalic breeds are banned from the hold. Book through the Customer Center at least 48 hours in advance.
How much does ITA Airways charge for pets?
Fees vary by route. For example, flying a small dog in cabin from Rome to Milan costs €73 (~$80 USD). Flying the same dog in cabin from Rome to New York costs €210 (~$231 USD) one-way. Hold fees range from €83 to €300 (~$91 to $330 USD) depending on the route. See the fee tables above for complete pricing.
What size carrier does ITA Airways allow?
Maximum carrier dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches). The carrier must be soft-sided, waterproof, and well-ventilated.
Does ITA Airways allow pets in cargo?
Yes, pets can travel as checked baggage (AVIH) in the hold with an IATA-compliant crate. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are prohibited from the hold effective October 26, 2025. This includes French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, and 28 other dog breeds plus 4 cat breeds.
Are emotional support animals allowed on ITA Airways?
No. ESAs are no longer recognized as a special category following DOT rule changes in the United States. ESAs are considered regular pets and must pay the applicable fee and follow standard rules.
This article is for informational purposes only. Airline pet policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with ITA Airways before booking. Last verified: February 2026.
