Flying with a dog from the UK to Italy

Flying out of the UK to Italy with a dog in the cabin, and why the return journey needs to be planned first.

The route in one picture

Outbound, the options are continental: ITA Airways direct to Rome and Milan (8 kg in the cabin, 12 kg on the Italian domestic legs), or connections with Lufthansa, SWISS, Air France and KLM. British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air carry no pets, which rules out most of the cheap direct flights.

The return is the constraint that should shape the whole plan: your dog cannot re-enter Great Britain in the cabin. The options are cargo on an approved route, or overland — many owners fly out and come back via Paris and the Eurotunnel, or drive the whole return. Whatever you choose, the tapeworm treatment for re-entry has a precise time window: 24 to 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain.

Verified airlines on these routes

Airlines from our database flying the relevant airports and accepting pets in the cabin, ranked by permitted weight, carrier included.

• Air Canada — up to 10 kg with the carrier, solo trasportino morbido, sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• Vueling — up to 10 kg with the carrier, 45 x 39 x 21 cm, no hold option
• WestJet — up to 10 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, razze brachicefale ammesse, hold up to 75 kg
• Alaska Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 43 x 28 x 19/24 cm sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• American Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido), no hold option
• JetBlue — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, programma JetPaws, no hold option
• United Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, chiuso, no hold option
• Air France — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Austrian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• Delta — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido, consigliato), no hold option
• Etihad Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 40 x 22 cm sotto il sedile (50 x 43 x 50 con posto extra), hold up to 75 kg
• Finnair — up to 8 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, hold up to 75 kg
• ITA Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Iberia — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 35 x 25 cm (somma 105 cm), hold up to 45 kg
• KLM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• LATAM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, solo su voli operati LATAM, hold up to 75 kg
• Lufthansa — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 25 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg
• SWISS — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• TAP Air Portugal — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 30 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 45 kg
• Turkish Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 30 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg

They fly these routes but carry no pets on board: British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, easyJet, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Icelandair, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, Aer Lingus.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I fly London to Rome with my dog in the cabin?
  Yes, outbound: ITA Airways and the continental carriers accept dogs in the cabin within 8 kg including the carrier. The return to Great Britain cannot be in the cabin: plan cargo or the overland route first.
• How do I bring my dog back from Italy to the UK?
  As cargo on an approved route, or overland via France and the Eurotunnel or an approved ferry. The tapeworm treatment must be given 24 to 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain.
• Which airlines fly UK to Italy with pets?
  ITA Airways direct, plus Lufthansa, SWISS, Air France and KLM with connections. British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air carry no pets in the cabin.
• Do I need to book the pet space in advance from UK to Italy?
  Yes, always. Pet spaces are limited per flight and separate from your ticket: add the pet as early as possible and confirm it before paying. A purchased ticket does not guarantee your pet boards.
• Does the weight limit include the carrier?
  Yes, with every airline verified except Air Europa, which sets two separate limits. Weigh pet and carrier together at home: a bag adds 800 g to 1.5 kg.