Italy: Large dogs are now allowed to fly in the cabin of Ita Airways

Rome (Italy) – Previously, German Shepherds, Dalmatians and Bull Terriers had to go into the hold on flights. Now that is changing. The Italian Lufthansa subsidiary Ita Airways will be the first airline in Europe to take four-legged friends weighing up to 30 kilograms into the cabin. Requirements: muzzle, leash and a place to sit by the window on an absorbent carpet. The master or mistress sits right next to him.

Most airlines previously only allowed animals up to eight kilos in the cabin. Ita Airways already had the limit at ten. Bigger Dogs had to go into the cargo hold – often a nightmare due to the confines, noise and temperature extremes. Many dog ​​owners therefore preferred to drive long distances by car, leave their animals behind or avoid traveling altogether.

Travel “without separations”.

That should now change. Joerg Eberhart, German managing director of Ita Airways, explains the new regulation: “We want every trip to be able to start and end together, without separations.” Pets are part of the family, said the manager. The airline justifies the innovation with the desire of many passengers to take their animals with them on vacation.

Initially, the new rule only applies to domestic flights within Italy. The national aviation authority Enac granted approval. A test flight from Milan took place a few months ago Rom instead of. A specific date for the first scheduled flight with large four-legged friends on board has not yet been set.

Lufthansa is not planning anything similar

The additional space for the animal must be paid extra. Passengers who are afraid of four-legged friends or have allergies can change their seats, the airline announced. That big Animals will be on board in the future, but not everyone will like it.

Minority shareholder Lufthansa, which took over 41 percent of the former Alitalia last year, currently has no similar plans. At the request of the German Press Agency, this was announced Pursue with: “Our airlines generally decide independently when it comes to details about the product range.” In the industry, the initiative is viewed as a pilot project. The Italian one Stands remains the majority owner of the former Alitalia, Lufthansa but wants to further expand its share.