ITA Airways Pet Policy 2026: What "Large Dog On Board" Means (and Doesn't) for US Pet Owners
Last updated: October 2026. By Mia Sgarlato, founder of Pet Passport Club
The ITA Airways pet policy got its biggest update in years this summer. Since August 3, 2026, ITA has let dogs up to 30 kg ride in the cabin, no carrier, on certain flights. The catch for US owners: those flights are all inside Italy.
Short version: Large Dog On Board runs only on selected domestic Italian flights: €95 plus a second ticket, booked by phone 4+ days out. For US-Italy flights, the ITA Airways pet policy hasn't changed. Cabin pets max out at 8 kg including the carrier, and bigger dogs fly in the hold (up to 75 kg). One-way pet fees from US gateways run $265 to $290 for cabin and $350 to $375 for hold.
Who this is for: This is for US owners planning a move or long trip to Italy who want to know whether the new ITA Airways pet policy helps their dog.
What ITA Airways Launched: Large Dog On Board
ITA ran a demo flight between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino in September 2025, then opened the service commercially on August 3, 2026. Here's how this part of the ITA Airways pet policy works, per ITA's Large Dog On Board page:
Routes: a selection of domestic flights ITA labels "Large Dog flights." Not every domestic route qualifies.
Weight: up to 30 kg. Two large dogs max per flight, one in the 10 to 15 kg band and one in the 15 to 30 kg band. Italian press reports the split as Economy up to 15 kg and Business up to 30 kg.
Seating: the dog lies on an ITA-provided mat on the floor in front of a left-side window seat, with you next to it.
Cost: €95 per dog plus two full tickets.
Booking: only through ITA's CIAO contact center, at least 4 days before departure. No online booking, no travel agents, no online check-in.
Large Dog On Board Requirements
Under the ITA Airways pet policy, the paperwork for a large dog is stricter than for a normal cabin pet. ITA asks for:
A vet certificate issued within 20 days of the flight
An ISO microchip, plus current rabies and core vaccines
Antiparasitic treatment
Pet liability insurance
A crash-tested harness (FMVSS 213 or CMVSS 213 standard), a muzzle, a collar and a leash
A signed admission form
Dogs have to be at least 6 months old, and service dogs get priority for the space.
What the ITA Airways Pet Policy Means for US-Italy Flights
Nothing in the ITA Airways pet policy changes on the transatlantic leg. In-cabin pets still max out at 8 kg including carrier and food on international flights (12 kg domestic), in a carrier no bigger than 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Over 8 kg, it's the hold.
ITA has said it wants to bring the service to its full domestic network and later to international routes, but only once regulators sign off. There's no date. I wouldn't plan a 2027 move around it.
Where it does help: once you've landed in Rome, a mid-size dog can now connect to certain domestic flights in the cabin instead of the hold.
ITA Airways Pet Options Compared
Here's how the three options under the ITA Airways pet policy stack up for a US owner:
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| Option | Where it runs | Max weight | Fee (one way) | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small dog in cabin | Domestic and international, incl. US routes | 8 kg intl / 12 kg domestic, incl. carrier | $265 to $290 from US gateways | Customer service, 48+ hours out |
| Large Dog On Board | Selected domestic Italy flights only | 30 kg (no carrier) | €95 plus a second ticket | CIAO contact center, 4+ days out |
| Hold (checked) | Domestic and international, incl. US routes | 75 kg incl. crate | $350 to $375 from US gateways | Customer service, 48+ hours out |
Bottom line: if your dog is over 8 kg with the carrier, your transatlantic flight is the hold, and Large Dog On Board only matters for travel inside Italy.
How Much Does It Cost to Fly Your Dog to Italy
ITA's pet transportation fee table splits US gateways into two groups. Miami, Boston, New York, Washington and Chicago run $265 cabin or $350 hold. Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco run $290 cabin or $375 hold. Fees are per one-way route and can change at purchase.
The airline fee is only part of it. A rough budget for one dog, US to Italy:
ITA pet fee: $265 to $375 depending on gateway and cabin vs hold
USDA endorsement: $101 per certificate when no lab tests are needed
Vet visit and health certificate: varies by clinic, often a few hundred dollars
Airline-approved crate (hold dogs): varies by size; our kennel calculator helps you size it first
Small dogs in the cabin usually land under $1,000 all-in. Big dogs cost more once you add the crate and any hold logistics.
How to Fly Your Dog From the US to Italy on ITA
Weigh your dog in its carrier. Under 8 kg means cabin; over means hold.
Check your breed. ITA suspended hold travel for snub-nosed dogs (bulldogs, pugs, Frenchies and others) as of October 26, 2025.
Book your own ticket, then call ITA to add the pet at least 48 hours before departure.
Microchip first, then rabies vaccine, then wait at least 21 days, per USDA's Italy requirements.
Get the EU health certificate and have USDA endorse it within 10 days of arrival in the EU.
If you'll fly inside Italy afterward with a dog over 12 kg, call CIAO about Large Dog On Board at least 4 days ahead.
Common Mistakes With the ITA Airways Pet Policy
Assuming the 30 kg rule applies to US flights. It doesn't.
Weighing the dog without the carrier. ITA counts the carrier and food in the 8 kg.
Booking online and expecting to add the pet later with no space left. Call early.
Missing the 10-day USDA endorsement window.
Getting the rabies vaccine before the microchip.
Italy follows EU entry rules, and the order of operations is where people slip. Our EU pet entry guide lays out the full timeline for $19.
ITA Airways Pet Policy FAQ
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No. Under the current ITA Airways pet policy, Large Dog On Board only runs on selected domestic Italian flights. On US routes, the cabin limit is 8 kg including carrier.
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From US gateways, the ITA Airways pet policy lists $265 to $290 one way for cabin and $350 to $375 for hold. Large Dog On Board inside Italy is €95 plus a second ticket.
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No. Since October 26, 2025, ITA has suspended hold travel for brachycephalic breeds. A small Frenchie under 8 kg with carrier can still fly in the cabin.
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ITA says that's the goal, pending approval from aviation authorities. No timeline has been announced.
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Call ITA's CIAO contact center at least 4 days before the flight. There's no online or agent booking.
Planning Your Dog's Flight to Italy
The new rule is good news for getting around Italy with a mid-size dog. For the flight over, it's still the standard airline pet policy: 8 kg in the cabin or the hold. If you want help picking the right option and lining up the paperwork, book a consult call and we'll map it out together.
Ready when you are.
— Mia + Poppy
