For many pet owners, flying with a dog used to be a major source of stress. Standard airline rules typically allowed only small pets in the passenger cabin, leaving larger dogs no choice but to travel in a dedicated section of the cargo hold. Now, one European carrier is shaking things up by testing a more flexible approach. Given space limits and safety needs, however, this new option comes with strict guidelines and extra fees.

A Big Shift from Italy’s Flag Carrier

The move comes from ITA Airways, which rolled out the option to bring larger dogs into the cabin on select routes starting in early August. It is a welcome change for passengers who previously hesitated to book flights simply because they did not want to leave their pets in the cargo hold.

Under the updated policy, dogs weighing between 10 and 30 kg (roughly 22 to 66 lbs) can now join their owners up front—up from the previous 10 kg limit. This is great news for owners of medium-sized breeds like Border Collies. However, space is strictly limited: only two such dogs are allowed per flight (one weighing 10–15 kg and another weighing 15–30 kg). Availability also depends on the aircraft type and whether a service dog has already been booked on the flight.