Travelling with pets as carry-on is subject to certain conditions:   

• The transport of animals is only possible if they are kept inside an appropriate soft-sided, semi-rigid or rigid carrier;
• The carrier must be properly ventilated and kept closed for the duration of the flight so that the pet cannot get out, even partially;
• For safety reasons, the pet must remain inside the carrier until disembarkation is complete;
• For the duration of the flight, the pet, weighing a maximum of 10kg on domestic flights and 8kg on all other flights, must remain inside a carrier not exceeding the following dimensions:
  • 24 cm in height
  • 40 cm in length
  • 30 cm in width

If the carrier exceeds these dimensions, your pet may not be allowed onboard;

• The carrier must be well ventilated, waterproof and resistant, and must enable your pet to sit, turn and lie down comfortably;

The carrier may be used to carry up to 5 pets of the same species, provided their total weight does not exceed 10kg on domestic flights (8kg on all other flights) and the weight of the carrier does not exceed 2kg, inclusive of the food needed for the flight.

Travelling with pets as cargo is subject to certain conditions:

• The pet must travel in a rigid carrier made of fiberglass or rigid plastic;
• If the carrier comes with wheels, these must be removed; if they are retractable, they must be secured with adhesive tape;
• Dog carriers must necessarily come with:
  • a metal door featuring a locking system with upper, central and lower locks;
  • side air vents; for dogs, these must be made of metal, not plastic;
• The carrier size may vary depending on the aircraft. 

ITA Airways allows passengers to travel with trained and recognized guide and service dogs as carry-on free of charge. For connecting flights, please check the rules of the applicable airlines; if your travel itinerary involves multiple airlines, please check with each airline to ensure your dog is accepted on board.

You will have to submit a training certificate, on headed paper of the relevant dog center/institution or duly stamped by them, certifying that your dog is in fact a service dog. Service dogs are not subject to quotas. The service must be requested at least 48 hours before the departure of the flight and will only be confirmed once the submitted documentation has been checked.

Please note: dogs that offer emotional support are not considered trained service dogs and therefore cannot board our flights free of charge. They can travel for a fee, subject to the procedures for boarding dogs as carry-on or cargo based on their weight. 

For travel outside of Italy, we recommend you read up in time on the regulatory and health requirements of the country of destination.

General travel requirements:
To guarantee flight safety and comfort in the cabin, the dog must be accustomed to obeying and behaving appropriately in public (e.g., it must not bark, growl, or attack people or other animals).

Small dogs do not necessarily have to travel in the pet carrier for the entire duration of the flight. However, if they travel without one, a leash and muzzle must be used (if requested by the captain).

Guide dogs must remain under the seat in front of you and must wear their harness.

On board, the dog must:

• be under the direct control of the passenger at all times;
• not sit on the seats or block the emergency exits.

The dog is entitled to travel for free, even if it travels as cargo.

The passenger will be held liable for any damage or additional cost resulting from travelling with the dog.

• Get your pet used to the carrier at least 5 days before the trip, placing it in it for about two hours at a time and rewarding it immediately afterwards;
• Before departure, ensure it drinks regularly and always in small quantities;
• Feed it up to 4 hours before the flight and make sure it has enough food for the duration of the trip;
•  For utmost travel comfort, we recommend placing a blanket, newspaper or other absorbent material on the bottom of the carrier. Straw is not allowed;
• Inside the carrier, your pet should never wear a leash or muzzle; remember never to leave these accessories inside the carrier;
• Your pet must not be physically fatigued or injured. Consult your veterinarian to ensure your pet is fit for travel and remember to put at least one empty bowl in the carrier; this should be secured and accessible (also when the carrier is closed) for utmost comfort during the flight;

If these conditions are not met or if your pet disturbs the other passengers, the captain may move it to the hold.

Travelling with pets is allowed on all of the airline’s aircraft, although the maximum size allowed onboard may vary depending on the aircraft used. Please inquire in advance with our Assistance.

To travel within Italy, cats and dogs must have:

• Animal Health Certificate or Pet Passport

To travel within the European Union, cats, dogs and ferrets must have:

• Pet passport issued by a veterinarian, showing the vaccinations (your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid and up to date) and general health of the animal
• Legible tattoo or electronic identification system (microchip, transponder)

If you are bringing a dog to the United States, starting from 1 August 2024, there are new steps you need to follow for the dog's entry into the U.S., as specified by U.S. authorities to prevent the risk of spreading canine rabies. These steps depend on whether the countries your dog has been during the last 6 months are considered low or high risk. Click here for detailed information and to apply for a CDC Dog Import Form. A receipt will be emailed to you upon submission of the CDC Dog Import Form. You will need to either print the receipt and carry it with you or show it on your phone.

In addition to having a receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form, remember that the dog you bring:

• must appear healthy upon arrival.
• must be at least 6 months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.
• must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.

Pets are not allowed into the UK, except for service dogs. Please contact the Local Authorities in case of need.

Travel to Israel with cats and dogs is governed by specific regulations. Please check the following link before your trip: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_agriculture_and_rural_development/govil-landing-page

Travel with pets requires an International Zoosanitary Certificate (CZI).

For all other countries, please contact the Embassy / Consulate of the country of destination or check the IATA website: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/index.php

Based on IATA Regulations, the following breeds fall into the above category:

 DOGS

• Affenpinscher
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Bichon Frisé
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Cane Corso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua (apple-headed)
• Chow Chow
• Dogo Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Mastiff
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• King Charles Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso
• Maltese
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• Pekingese
• Presa Canario
• Pug
• Shar-Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Silky Terrier
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Valley Bulldog
• Yorkshire Terrier

 

CATS

• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Persian
• Himalayan 

To travel in the EU, rabbits and hamsters must have:

• a valid veterinary medical certificate of good health,
• a container-cage suitable for carrying this type of animal.

For non-EU travel, please contact our Customer Center.

On ITA Airways flights, parrots and parakeets are not allowed; furthermore, to prevent the spread of bird flu, the European Union and the Italian Ministry of Health have ordered an absolute ban on importing birds from Asian countries, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Romania, and the entire Balkan Peninsula.