Flying to Italy with a Dog or Cat in 2026

At a glance

Ryanair: no pets at all, cabin or hold, except certified assistance dogs.

ITA Airways standard: 8kg cabin limit international, 12kg combined domestic.

ITA Large Dog On Board (from 3 Aug 2026): up to 30kg, selected domestic routes only, max two large dogs per flight, book 4+ days ahead by phone, two tickets + €95 fee.

Start by crossing an airline off the list: Ryanair does not carry pets at all, in the cabin or the hold, with the sole exception of certified assistance dogs on select routes. If a trip is being planned around a specific budget carrier, it's worth checking that airline's pet policy directly before booking anything else.

ITA Airways, Italy's flag carrier, is the most consistently pet-friendly mainstream option flying into the country. For standard in-cabin travel, pets are capped at 8kg including the carrier on international flights, and a combined 12kg on domestic flights within Italy; carriers need to fit within roughly 55 x 40 x 23cm. Fees range from about €73 for a domestic route up to roughly €230 for long-haul international flights — always confirm the current fee directly with the airline.

The genuinely new development for 2026 is ITA Airways' 'Large Dog On Board' service, launched 3 August 2026 following approval from ENAC, Italy's Civil Aviation Authority. It allows dogs up to 30kg to travel in the passenger cabin — a first for commercial aviation in Italy — but only on selected domestic Italian routes, not international flights. Booking has to go through the ITA Airways CIAO contact centre by phone, at least 4 days before departure. The total cost involves purchasing two seat tickets plus a €95 pet transport fee. Space is limited to two large dogs per flight — one up to 30kg and one up to 15kg — and there is no web check-in: all document and harness verification happens at the airport.

Beyond ITA, several other European carriers — Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Vueling among them — allow pets in the cabin on many routes into Italy, generally following the more familiar 8–10kg carrier-weight model. For a dog too large for any cabin option flying internationally, the cargo hold remains the usual route — check temperature restrictions carefully, since many airlines embargo hold pet travel during summer heat.

Quick answers

Can I fly a 20kg dog into Italy from the US in the cabin?

Not on a standard international ticket — the 30kg cabin option currently only applies to selected ITA Airways domestic flights within Italy. A dog that size would typically need the cargo hold on an international flight, subject to the airline's own policy.

How far ahead should I book a pet's flight space?

As early as possible — ideally when you book your own ticket, and at minimum 4 days ahead for ITA's Large Dog On Board service specifically.

Rules, fees and policies change. Check the official sources linked in this guide and confirm with your vet, airline or property before you travel. Last updated September 2026. How we use sources.