The first flight with large dogs officially takes off, the new rules

Flying with your dog has never been easier, even with large four-legged friends . They too can enjoy the experience of air travel alongside their owners thanks to ITA Airways , the first Italian airline to introduce this innovation.

It has also opened its cabin doors to large dogs, who can finally travel alongside passengers without the need for a carrier. This change marks a significant step toward a new way of thinking about travel: no longer just about transportation, but rather an experience shared by the entire family, pets included.

The project, developed with the support of ENAC and leading animal welfare associations, aims to establish a new standard of flight, centered on comfort, safety, and well-being. An industry revolution that makes the skies even more pet-friendly .

The first flight with large dogs

September 23, 2025, will mark a historic date for those traveling with their four-legged friends: at 9:00 a.m., flight AZ2029 will depart from Milan Linate to Rome Fiumicino , the first in Italy to accommodate medium-large dogs directly in the cabin alongside their owners. The initiative, launched by ITA Airways as part of the "PET on Board" project, will be celebrated in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma, and the airline's top management.

Described as a "world first" by Di Palma, this demonstration flight is not only a technical achievement, but a true cultural turning point: animals are now recognized as an integral part of the family, in line with the latest legislative developments. After the inaugural Linate–Fiumicino flight, the experience will be presented at the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, with the aim of paving the way for international regulation .

New rules for flying with large dogs

But how will the journey actually take place? The new rules for traveling in the cabin with pets issued by ENAC have defined a precise protocol to ensure safety, comfort, and respect for all passengers . Dogs must travel next to their owner in dedicated seats: one in the front row and one in the back row , away from emergency exits and other passengers. They must be positioned near the window and, if possible, in approved carriers secured to the seats . To minimize any inconvenience, the crew will inform passengers in advance, and "buffer zones" may be set up for those who suffer from allergies or prefer not to have pets nearby.

Specifically, a maximum of two dogs , weighing no more than 25 kg, will be allowed on the demonstration flight. The animals, always wearing a harness and muzzle , will travel on an absorbent mat. No other animals, not even the small ones usually permitted, will be permitted in the cabin.

Essential requirements:

• minimum age of 6 months ;
• ISO microchip ;
• updated vaccinations ;
• veterinary certificate of fitness to fly;
• European animal passport or equivalent document;
• antiparasitic treatment .

This project represents a revolutionary step: if the trial is successful, ITA Airways will be able to gradually introduce the sale of dedicated tickets for large dogs as well, paving the way for a new way to travel together.