In Italy, from May 12, pets are officially allowed to be transported in the passenger cabin of an airplane. This means animals can fly together with their owners even if their weight with the carrier exceeds the previous limits of 8–10 kg. The carrier can be placed either under or above the seat, provided that it is reliably secured. The main requirement is that the combined weight of the animal and its carrier does not exceed the weight of an average passenger.
Only a few airlines worldwide allow pets to be transported in the cabin when their weight exceeds standard limits, and Italy is the first country to adopt such a decision at the state level.
Although, according to the regulations, each airline will decide whether to apply the new rules, the adoption of these standards at all is an important step toward more humane and safer transport for domestic animals. For many owners, this is not just a piece of news, but a relief: they no longer have to worry that their pet will end up in the noisy and cold cargo hold.
