Ita Airways has announced a significant change in its pet travel policy, allowing dogs that weigh up to 10 kg to accompany their owners in the cabin on domestic flights. This new regulation comes after the Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (Enac) granted permission for the initiative, aimed primarily at addressing the preferences of passengers who want to travel with their pets. Under the new rules, dogs must wear a muzzle and leash at all times during the flight, and they will be assigned a spot by the window on a special absorbent mat placed on the cabin floor, while their owner's seat will be adjacent.

This development marks a notable shift in how airlines manage pet travel, which has traditionally involved transporting larger dogs in cages in the cargo hold of the airplane. As company CEO Joergo Eberhart noted, pets are increasingly viewed as part of the family, and therefore, they should be allowed to travel alongside their loving owners rather than being isolated from them. Eberhart stressed the importance of creating a travel experience that begins and ends with families together, advocating for a more integrated experience with pets during air travel.

Previously, larger dogs faced challenges regarding their transport, including confinement in cramped spaces, exposure to noise, and drastic temperature changes in the cargo hold. The introduction of this new policy signifies a growing trend in the airline industry that reflects changing societal attitudes toward pets, as more travelers seek to have their pets by their sides while traveling. The decision by Ita Airways may set a precedent for other airlines across Europe to follow suit, potentially transforming the air travel experience for pet owners in the coming years.