Even large dogs will be able to travel on planes alongside their owners: Ita Airways flight AZ2029, which will take off tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. from Milan-Linate and land at 10:30 a.m. at Rome-Fiumicino, will be the first flight operated by an Italian airline to accommodate two dogs weighing more than 10 kg (the amount previously permitted for animals not in the hold).

Tomorrow's flight, however, will be a demonstration flight. As the company explained, the service is currently limited to this one route only, but it represents a "fundamental step in Ita Airways' mission" to "make travel more inclusive, comfortable, and responsive to the needs of families who want to be with their pets".

According to the rules established with Enac (Italian civil aviation authority), the Italian carrier will allow a maximum of two dogs to travel, each weighing no more than 25 kg. The maximum weight for dogs traveling is 14 kg in Economy (last row) and 25 kg in Superior (first row). The new rule expands the number of pets allowed on the plane, but does not extend this possibility to everyone. Dogs must also wear a harness and muzzle, occupy a dedicated seat near their owner and the window -away from other passengers- and be provided with an absorbent mat. Other requirements include a minimum age of 6 months, an ISO-compliant microchip (11784/11785), a valid rabies vaccination and up-to-date basic vaccinations, a veterinary certificate of fitness to fly, a European pet passport or equivalent, and mandatory flea and tick treatment. "Airlines are free to comply with the new rules", Enac explained. These also include that dogs will not occupy a seat near emergency exits, that crew and passengers will be notified of the presence of pets, and that a "buffer zone" will be created for those who suffer from allergies or who do not appreciate the presence of animals.

The minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, announced the new measure at the Italian Pet Summit (Milan, 16 September 2025): "We have exceeded the old limit of 8/10 kg for air transport, and the news has brought comfort to Italy and sparked discussion around the world".