ITA Airways launches flights for large dogs in the cabin
ITA Airways introduces "Large Dog On Board", the new service that will allow passengers to travel in the cabin with large dogs up to 30 kg, without the use of a carrier.
The service is already on sale and will be operational from August 3 on a selection of dedicated domestic flights.
The reservation must be made through the Customer Information Assistance Office (CIAO) of ITA Airways at least four days in advance of departure.
The initiative follows the demonstration flight carried out last September between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, during which two large dogs traveled in the cabin without a carrier.
The new service was made possible thanks to the authorization granted by ENAC, based on the new provisions governing the transport of dogs in the cabin.
In this first phase, up to two large dogs will be able to travel per flight: one up to 30 kg in Business Class and one up to 15 kg in Economy Class, in dedicated areas of the aircraft. In the first two months, up to two small dogs will also continue to be allowed in the cabin, placed at least eight rows away from large dogs; later the number will rise to four.
ITA Airways plans to progressively extend the service to other domestic flights and, in the future, also to international connections, compatibly with the evolution of regulations and authorizations from the competent bodies.
With this initiative, the company expands the services dedicated to passengers traveling with pets, introducing a solution that allows owners to share the flight with their dog without resorting to transport in the hold, in compliance with safety procedures and animal welfare.
FAQ - Travelling by plane with a large dog
Can I take a large dog on a plane?
Yes. The guidelines published by ENAC provide for the possibility for medium and large dogs to travel in the cabin, but the activation of the service is not automatic: each airline must adopt specific operating procedures and obtain ENAC's authorization. Not all carriers therefore offer this possibility.
Can large dogs travel in the cabin?
Yes, but only if the airline has adhered to the ENAC guidelines and has obtained the relevant authorization. Transport must take place in compliance with precise conditions of safety, animal welfare and compatibility with other passengers.
Which airlines allow large dogs to travel in the cabin?
The possibility depends on the individual companies. ENAC has established the regulatory framework, but it is up to the carriers to decide whether to introduce the service and submit an operational plan to obtain authorization. ITA Airways is the first Italian company to have started marketing the service dedicated to dogs up to 30 kg.
Do you need a carrier for a large dog?
According to ENAC guidelines, the transport of medium-large pets in the cabin is normally provided with a suitable containment system, safely fixed to the seat and positioned so as not to obstruct emergency exits. However, ENAC may authorise different operating procedures submitted by airlines. It is precisely in this context that ITA Airways has obtained authorization to operate the "Large Dog On Board" service without a carrier, with specific procedures approved by the Authority.
Where is the dog placed during the flight?
ENAC guidelines require that animals be placed in positions that guarantee flight safety, without occupying emergency exits and without interfering with the crew's activity. Accommodation arrangements may vary depending on the aircraft configuration and approved procedures for each carrier.
What happens if there are passengers on board who are allergic or do not wish to travel near a dog?
The ENAC guidelines provide for specific measures to protect all passengers. Airlines must inform the crew and passengers concerned in advance, establish a maximum number of animals that can be transported on each flight and, when necessary, set up "buffer zones", i.e. dedicated separation areas to manage any allergies or other needs.
How much does it cost to bring a large dog into the cabin?
ENAC does not set the rates for the service. The cost is defined by each airline according to its own commercial conditions.
