A border collie with a blue bandanna sits next to a suitcase in front of an ITA Airways aircraft.

Large Dog On Board

Flying together, even with your large dog

With the new service Large Dog On Board, you can travel in the cabin with your dog even if it is over the standard weight limits normally allowed for pet transport in the cabin.

The service is only available for large dogs up to 30 kg on a selection of our domestic flights identified as Large Dog flights .

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Allergies or particular sensitivity to the presence of dogs on board

If a passenger has an allergy or is particularly sensitive to the presence of a dog in the cabin that is being transported via the Large Dog On Board service, they may contact our CIAO Contact Center to explain their situation and explore possible alternative travel options, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, subject to seat availability and in accordance with applicable regulations.

How the service works

A maximum of 2 dogs can be allowed in the cabin on each Large Dog flight:

  • 1 weighing more than 10 kg and up to 15 kg
  • 1 weighing more than 15 kg and up to 30 kg

Service availability depends on:

  • the type of aircraft;
  • the presence of other animals on board;
  • the operating conditions of the flight.

Confirmation of service is always subject to prior verification.

Airbus A220 aircraft

  • A dog weighing more than 15 kg and up to 30 kg:
    the dog travels in the first row on the left side of the cabin, occupying the window seat. The accompanying passenger sits in the aisle seat.
  • A dog weighing more than 10 kg and up to 15 kg:
    the dog travels in the last row on the left side of the cabin, occupying the window seat. The accompanying passenger sits in the aisle seat.

Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft

  • A dog weighing more than 15 kg and up to 30 kg:
    the dog travels in the first row on the left side of the cabin, occupying the window seat. The accompanying passenger sits in the aisle seat and the middle seat remains free.
  • A dog weighing more than 10 kg and up to 15 kg:
    the dog travels in the last row on the left side of the cabin, occupying the window seat. The accompanying passenger sits in the middle seat, while the aisle seat may be assigned to another passenger.


During the flight, large dogs cannot travel on the seat and must be placed on a designated mat provided by ITA Airways, positioned on the floor in front of their dedicated seat in the cabin. The accompanying passenger sits in the adjacent seat, according to the configuration provided for the aircraft.

During the flight, the dog:

  • must be equipped with a muzzle, collar, leash, and a Crash Tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213 standards, used to secure it to the seat belt for the duration of the flight;
  • must remain in the assigned area for the duration of the trip.

To ensure comfort and safety on board, the total number of pets allowed (in carriers and dogs transported via the Large Dog On Board service) on each flight is limited.

Presence of service dogs

If there is an assistance dog on board that is trained to support a person with a physical, sensory, or psychiatric disability (SVAN), that dog will have priority over dogs transported through the Large Dog On Board service.

In these cases:

  • only one dog may be allowed in the presence of a single SVAN on board via the Large Dog On Board service;
  • if there are two SVANs on board, the Large Dog On Board service may not be available on the requested flight.

How to request and purchase the service

The Large Dog On Board service can be requested and purchased only through the CIAO Contact Center.

It is not possible to:

  • purchase the service online and/or through travel agencies;
  • add it through the standard self-service booking flows;
  • complete online check-in.

We recommend that you request the service as far in advance as possible and, in any case, at least 4 days before the flight departure.

Confirmation remains subject to verification of availability and the applicable requirements.

To travel with the Large Dog On Board service, you must purchase two tickets to guarantee the dog dedicated space in the cabin, and pay the transportation fee on board.

In the table below, you will find an example of how the cost of the service is calculated.

Economy Light


 Quantity Price Total TICKET 2x Light Fare 2x Light Fare PETX FEE 1x €95 €95

Economy Comfort

  Quantity Price Total TICKET 2x Comfort Fare 2 x Comfort Fare PETX FEE 1x €95 €95

Economy Flex


 Quantity Price Total TICKET 2x Flex Fare 2x Flex Fare PETX FEE 1x €95 €95

Business Saver


 Quantity Price Total TICKET 2x Saver Fare 2x Saver Fare PETX FEE 1x €95 €95

Business Flex


 Quantity Price Total TICKET 2x Flex Fare 2x Flex Fare PETX FEE 1x €95 €95

To qualify for the service, the dog must:

  • be at least 6 months old;
  • be identified via an ISO-compliant microchip;
  • have a valid rabies vaccination and up-to-date core vaccinations;
  • have received antiparasitic treatment;
  • be considered suitable in terms of both health and behavior according to veterinary certification;
  • be covered by mandatory Pet Liability insurance;
  • be fitted with a Crash Tested harness that complies with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213.

At the time of the request and check-in, you will need to present:

The presence of a Crash Tested harness compliant with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213, which is mandatory for transport, will also be checked at check-in.

In the absence of the required documentation, the service cannot be confirmed and boarding will be denied.

The first flight is a special moment, even for your dog. To remember this experience, you can download their ‘First Time Flyer’ Certificate and have it signed by the Flight Commander to keep a unique memento of the trip together.

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When the service has not been confirmed

The service may not be available in the following cases:

  • The flight is not identified as a “Large Dog” flight;
  • The service is sold out;
  • There are operational or security restrictions;

When the Company reserves the right not to confirm the service

In the following cases:

  • The required documentation is incomplete or non-compliant;
  • The Large Dog does not meet the requirements;

FAQs

The service is only available on a selection of domestic flights identified as ​Large DogThe link will be opened in a new browser tab. Availability must always be checked at the time of the request.

No. This service can be requested and purchased only through the CIAO Contact Center and is not available through standard online booking channels.

In the event of an allergy or particular sensitivity to the presence of animals on board, passengers may contact the CIAO Contact Center to report their situation and inquire about possible alternative travel options, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on seat availability and applicable regulations.

On dedicated flights, a maximum of two dogs may be allowed, subject to operational restrictions, the aircraft’s configuration, and the possible presence of other animals on board (with or without a carrier).

The required documents include the necessary health documentation, the dog’s identification document (if applicable), a certificate of fitness to fly that also attests to the dog’s weight and good health, liability insurance for the dog, and the Pet Acceptance Form signed by the owner. During the request and check-in phase, you will be required to provide all documents specified by the applicable terms and conditions.

Yes. Confirmation of the service is subject to verification of availability and compliance with all commercial, health, and operational requirements. In the absence of these requirements, carriage will be denied at check-in or boarding.

No. Web check-in is not available for passengers who request the “Large Dog On Board” service. Checks are performed at the airport according to applicable procedures.

We recommend requesting the service as far in advance as possible and, in any case, at least 4 days before the flight departure, to allow all the necessary checks.

The dog must be fitted with a Crash Tested harness that complies with CMVSS 213 and FMVSS 213. The harness is mandatory and must be used to secure the dog to the seat belt for the duration of the flight.