Photo by Kristīne Zāle (Macro Viewpoint) on Unsplash
ITA Airways – Italy’s national carrier – is one of the smaller international airlines that transports pets as well as people. So you might be looking at ITA if you and your four-legged family member are moving to Italy, planning a vacation there, or you’re already in Italy and arranging a trip somewhere else.
You can find full details about the airline’s pet travel policies on the ITA Airways website, but we’ve pulled together the key points for you here.
What pets can fly on ITA?
The first question for any pet parent is whether an airline will accept their specific pet. In ITA’s case, puppies and kittens younger than three months are not permitted. ITA also does not accept pets traveling to the United Kingdom.
ITA accepts trained and recognized guide and service dogs. A service dog may travel in the cabin with you, but must be properly documented and meet specific size and behavior requirements. Although pets in general are not accepted for transport to the UK, guide and service dogs are exempt and may travel with you at no charge. Keep in mind that emotional support dogs are not classified as trained service dogs and therefore are not eligible to travel free of charge. They may still fly with ITA for a pet fee, following the standard procedures for dogs traveling in the cabin or in the hold, depending on their weight.
ITA also allows certain small animals such as pet rabbits, hamsters, and some birds, as long as they meet the airline’s specific requirements and the destination country requirements. You can find more details on ITA’s pet travel pages.
Brachycephalic Breeds
Because of growing concerns about health risks for flat-faced or snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats, many airlines now restrict or embargo these breeds. As of 26 October 2025, ITA will not allow these breeds to travel in the hold. Depending on their size, they may be eligible to travel in-cabin.
Cat breeds:
- Burmese
- Exotic Shorthair
- Persian
- Himalayan
Dog breeds:
- Affenpinscher
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- 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
Where can your pet ride?
Like most airlines, ITA uses different aircraft types for different routes, and not every plane can accommodate pets—especially larger dogs. When you’re planning your pet’s itinerary, you’ll need to look at aircraft type as well as schedule options. In addition, each country sets its own rules about whether arriving pets may travel in the cabin or must be transported as cargo, so you’ll need to confirm both airline and destination-country regulations.
In-cabin
To ride in the passenger cabin, your pet plus their carrier cannot weigh more than 12 kg (26.4 lbs). The carrier must meet IATA standards and fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum carrier dimensions are: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (maximum total of 118 cm).
The airline suggests using a soft-sided or semi-soft carrier. In that case, it may be an inch or two taller because you can compress it slightly when you settle in. Even so, the carrier must provide sufficient ventilation, be sturdy and waterproof, and allow your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Your pet must remain fully inside the carrier at all times while on board.
In the hold
Pets traveling as cargo must be in an IATA-compliant crate made of fiberglass or hard plastic. Any wheels must be removed or retracted and secured. For dogs, the crate must have a metal door that locks at every closure point and metal side-ventilation grates.
Keep in mind that where your pet is allowed to ride is not solely up to the airline. Some countries permit arriving pets in the cabin, while many require incoming pets to arrive as cargo. So even if ITA’s pet policies work for your animal, you will still need to check your destination country’s import rules. (You’ll have to do this anyway, since each country sets its own veterinary, documentation, and quarantine requirements for pets.)
Pet reservation fees
Airlines charge pet fees, just as they do for human passengers. On ITA, the cost depends on your pet’s weight, the routing, and whether your pet travels in the cabin or as cargo. The airline publishes its pet fares, and you can review the current fee chart on their website. In general, domestic flights start at $69 USD and international flights start at $105 USD.
If you’re planning an international move—to Italy or anywhere else in the world—the simplest and most reliable way to choose the right airline and routing for your pet is to let our Starwood team manage the details for you. Knowing that your dog, cat, or small companion animal is being handled by experienced, caring professionals can make a tremendous difference in your overall moving experience and your pet’s safety and comfort.
