There have always been issues with the size of large passengers on commercial airplanes. For large dogs, it’s basically a given that they will have to fly in cargo.
But starting August 3, ITA Airlines be one of the only commercial airlines allowing dogs weighing up to 66 pounds to travel inside the cabin beside their owners on selected flights.
The dog will be given a dedicated window-seat area and remain secured on a special mat on the floor in front of the seat. His human will get to sit beside him.
Each dog must wear a harness attached to the seatbelt, along with a collar, leash and muzzle.
The service will initially apply only to selected domestic flights in Italy, with strict limits on how many larger dogs can travel on each aircraft.
The policy follows a successful trial between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino. It was approved by ENAC, Italy’s civil aviation authority.
Owners will need veterinary approval, a microchip and liability insurance. They must also purchase two passenger tickets and pay an additional pet fee.
Several other airlines, some of them charters, semi-private or private, also allow big dogs in the cabin. Some let them sit in the seat, while others require the dog lie on the floor in front of the seat:
Aero is a book-by-the-seat jet service offering guests a relaxed and luxurious experience. From its hub in Los Angeles, Aero serves destinations in California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Los Cabos, Mexico. Unlike other small airline companies, Aero owns and operates all of its Embraer Aircraft. No weight limit.
BARK Air: Routes serve the metro areas of New York City, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Lisbon, Seattle, San Francisco, and Madrid. Their motto is Dogs Fly First, as they prioritize pup personalization—from flights staffed with dog experts to private terminals.
JSX provides semi-private flight service with more legroom and private terminals. Serves popular routes from New York to Florida and all across the Southwest. Weight limit is 81 pounds, and the dog must be leashed at all times and lie on the floor in front of their airline seat.
K9 Jets has routes from New Jersey to Paris or Los Angeles to London (additional destinations include Florida, Dublin, Dubai, Toronto and more). The public charter operator requires 75 percent capacity before confirming a flight.
RetrievAir is a public charter operator focused on superlative experiences for both passengers and their dogs of all sizes. Offers flights from major cities across the United States. Smaller pups can join the ride in their human’s laps, while larger furry friends are assigned to seats B and C for extra leg room.
Surf Air offers scheduled semi-private flights and on-demand jet services with business-class seating. The airline currently serves 48 destinations across America, from California to Tennessee to New York (including major destinations like Chicago and Atlanta).
Tradewind Aviation flies to idyllic destinations like East Hampton, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, as well as exclusive Caribbean spots like St. Bart’s, Nevis and Anguilla. Proclaimed the #4 best airline in Conde Nast’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Tradewind offers private and scheduled trips with a pet policy that dogs under 100 pounds fly free.
Vicuna Air has a particular focus on international pet relocation, helping families travel and move with their furry companions. Most Vicuna flights operate as shared private charters, where travelers can purchase individual seats on established routes connecting New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles with London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Brussels.
Other carriers, mostly private jet operators, include Blade, which flies helicopters and seaplanes as well as turboprops and jets; NetJets; and XO.
