The Air Dolomiti pet policy for 2024 includes various options for flying with dogs and cats in the cabin, or in the hold as checked baggage, but not cargo. With Air Dolomiti, a pet friendly airline based in Italy, pets flying in the cabin and in the hold must be at least 12 weeks old. Your cat or dog must be able to move around within their carrier, and they have to travel with an adult passenger on an Air Dolomiti flight. The cost of flying your pet with Air Dolomiti varies, depending on your chosen destination and whether your cat or dog will travel in the cabin or hold. Air Dolomiti only accepts qualified Assistance & Service Dogs to travel free of charge in the cabin. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) aren’t permitted under the Air Dolomiti Assistance & Service Dog policy, and must travel under the standard Air Dolomiti pet policy. The cost of flying your pet in the Air Dolomiti cabin or hold varies. Be aware that Air Dolomiti pet travel rules don’t permit pets on certain flights, or to specific international destinations. In addition, some dog breeds aren’t accepted for travel either in the cabin or in the hold as checked baggage. Check out Air Dolomiti pet travel reviews before you fly with your furry friend, or leave an Air Dolomiti review if your pet has flown in the cabin or hold. Of course, you can just read on for the full Air Dolomiti pet travel policy in 2024 for cats and dogs!
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Table of contents
- Does Air Dolomiti Allow Dogs & Cats in the Cabin?
- Does Air Dolomiti Allow Cats & Dogs in the Hold as Checked Baggage?
- Air Dolomiti Pets in Hold as Cargo
- Air Dolomiti Snub-Nosed Cat & Dog Breed Policy
- Dangerous Dog Breeds Air Dolomiti
- Air Dolomiti Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
- Pet Travel Documentation & Vaccines
- Excluded Pet Routes with Air Dolomiti
- Are Pets Safe on Planes?
| Dogs & Cats in the Cabin of the Plane | ✅ |
| Dogs & Cats flying as Checked In Baggage | ✅ |
| Pets flying in Cargo Hold | ❌ |
| Assistance Dogs in Cabin | ✅ |
| Psychiatric Service Dogs in Cabin | ✅ |
| Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Cabin | ❌ |
Does Air Dolomiti Allow Dogs & Cats in the Cabin?
Air Dolomiti allows only small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin with you. Cats and dogs are permitted in Air Dolomiti Economy Class and Business Class flights, provided that the combined weight of your pet and their travel bag doesn’t exceed 8 kg. The dimensions of your pet’s travel carrier also mustn’t be more than L 55 cm x W 40 cm x H 23 cm.
Air Dolomiti is owned by Lufthansa, and the maximum weight for pets in the cabin with Air Dolomiti is pretty standard for Europe, but there are some airlines that allow pets in their travel bags weighing up to 10 kg.
When flying a pet with Air Dolomiti, your cat or dog must be able to stand up and lie down comfortably, and one pet travel bag is permitted in the cabin per passenger.
However, Air Dolomiti only permits two pet travel carriers in the cabin on each flight, so be sure to book early to avoid any last minute panic!
As with all pet friendly airlines, your four legged friend must remain in their carrier during the flight, with the carrier stowed under the seat in front on you.
Reservations must be made by phone at least 48 hours in advance with the Air Dolomiti Customer Service Team.
IATA Regulations for Cats & Dogs Flying in the Cabin
While you need to ensure that your pet’s travel crate meets the maximum dimensions set by Air Dolomiti to fly in the cabin, remember that you must also adhere to the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This includes calculating the minimum inner crate dimensions allowed by the IATA LAR for your cat or dog to fly in the cabin. In addition, the airline pet travel carrier must adhere to the IATA LAR, in terms of ventilation, design etc.
If you’re new to pet travel, check out 8 Purr-fect IATA Compliant Airline Pet in Cabin Carriers!
Cost of Flying a Pet in Cabin with Air Dolomiti
The costs of flying your cat or dog in the cabin with Air Dolomiti depends on the route:
- Domestic flights (within Italy or within Germany) – €50
- Flights within Europe – €60
Does Air Dolomiti Allow Cats & Dogs in the Hold as Checked Baggage?
If your feline or canine weighs more than 8kg, they must travel in the hold with Air Dolomiti. Air Dolomiti only accepts cats and dogs to fly in the hold as checked baggage.
As with pets flying in the cabin, the Air Dolomiti pet policy for 2024 states that a maximum of two pet crates are permitted in the hold on each aircraft. So, it’s vital that you book early!
Be aware that Air Dolomiti doesn’t accept pets in the hold arriving at Munich airport, except for passengers arriving from the USA with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Note that this means your ESA isn’t travelling under the Air Dolomiti Assistance & Service Dog (SVAN) policy, as they would be permitted in the passenger cabin.
Your pet will travel in the ventilated aircraft hold, in their airline pet carrier that complies with current International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. In addition to the type of pet, Air Dolomiti needs to know the three measurements of the pet carrier in centimetres, as well as the combined weight of your pet and their travel kennel in kilograms.
For your cat or dog to fly in the Air Dolomiti hold as checked baggage, the pet travel crate mustn’t exceed the following dimensions:
L 100 x W 65 x H 70 cm
A weight restriction on pets in the hold isn’t applied by Air Dolomiti, provided that the carrier meets theses measurements.
IATA Requirements for Pets Flying in Hold
For the safety of your pet during air transport, the airline travel kennel must meet the legal requirements of the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Therefore, in addition to ensuring that your cat or dog in their travel crate adheres to the maximum weight and dimensions set by Air Dolomiti, the minimum inner kennel dimensions defined by the IATA LAR must also be met.
You can calculate the minimum inner space permitted by the IATA LAR, in addition to learning about the required construction, design etc for the pet in hold travel crate.
Should you need a new travel kennel for your next pet travel adventure, check out 4 Popular IATA Compliant Pet in Hold Crates.
Restrictions for Pets Flying in the Hold
As with all ethical airlines, Air Dolomiti doesn’t transport snub nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of cats and dogs in the hold. This is due to the susceptibility of these breeds to increased risks of respiratory issues when exposed to extreme heat, or stressful situations.
In addition, dog breeds classed as dangerous or fighting dogs by Air Dolomiti must be transported in special crates.
Cost of Flying a Pet in the Hold with Air Dolomiti
For pet carriers with dimensions up to a maximum of:
L 60 x W 45 x H 40 cm
- Domestic flights (within Italy or within Germany) –
- Flights within Europe – €100
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic Flights within Italy or Germany | €80 |
| Flights within Europe | €100 |
For pet carriers with dimensions up to a maximum of:
L100 x W 65 x H 70 cm
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic Flights within Italy or Germany | €160 |
| Flights within Europe | €200 |
If you’re travelling via Frankfurt an additional surcharge of €150 will be added to your booking.
Air Dolomiti Pets in Hold as Cargo
While many other pet friendly airlines in the EU offer a service to allow cats and dogs to fly as cargo, Air Dolomiti only accepts pets in the hold as checked baggage. You can check out the differences between flying pets in the hold as cargo or checked baggage.
As some countries and territories only allow pets to arrive in the hold as cargo, this means that you may not be able to fly your pet with Air Dolomiti on certain routes. For example, all pets flying to the United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland) must arrive as cargo.
Air Dolomiti Snub-Nosed Cat & Dog Breed Policy
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals, such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Persian Cats, can have trouble breathing during the flight, due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, most snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals may not be transported in the hold. This means that these pets can only fly in the Air Dolomiti cabin, they aren’t allowed to travel as checked baggage in the hold of the plane.
When flying with a snub-nosed pet in the cabin, remember that you need to add 10% to your IATA compliant pet carrier calculation.
Air Dolomiti only transports the following cat and dog breeds in the passenger cabin of the aircraft However, if the dog breed is also on the Air Dolomiti strong dogs list, they can’t fly in the cabin.
Air Dolomiti Snub Nosed Dog Breeds
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Bulldog (all breeds except the American Bulldog)
- Bull Mastiff
- Bull Terrier
- Chow-Chow
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Spaniel
- King Charles Spaniel
- Lhasa Apso
- Pekinese
- Pit Bull
- Pugs (all breeds)
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
Air Dolomiti Snub Nosed Cat Breeds
- British Shorthair
- Exotic Shorthair
- Himalayan Cat
- Persian Cat
- Scottish Fold
Dangerous Dog Breeds Air Dolomiti
The following breeds, classed as potentially dangerous dogs, aren’t permitted to fly in the cabin, but they may fly in the hold as checked baggage within a reinforced crate:
- American Bulldog
- Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff)
- Karabash (Kangal Dog, Anatolian Shepherd)
- Caucasian Shepherd (Caucasian Owtscharka)
- Rottweiler
If your dog is of a breed classed as potentially dangerous, they can only be carried in special dog crates approved by Air Dolomiti and the IATA. However, puppies between three and six months of age can travel in a standard IATA approved travel kennel.
You can check out the perfect example of a pet travel crate for strong dog breeds in 4 IATA Compliant Pet in Hold Kennels.
Also, remember that snub-nosed cat and dog breeds are only accepted to travel in the passenger cabin, to ensure their safety during the flight. So, if your dog is both a potentially dangerous and snub nosed breed, they’re unable to fly with Air Dolomiti.
Air Dolomiti Assistance & Service Dogs (SVAN)
You can fly in the cabin with your Assistance or Service Dog free of charge with the Air Dolomiti pet policy 2024. It’s recommended that you make the request during booking, but no less than 48 hours before your departure.
To fly with your Assistance or Service Dog in the cabin with Air Dolomiti, you must ensure that:
- Your dog remains on a leash and fit at the floor space at your feet
- Your dog doesn’t sit on a passenger seat
- You bring a muzzle with you for your dog as an added precaution
If your dog doesn’t behave in the requested manner, Air Dolomiti may transfer them to the hold at an additional cost or refuse to transport them. In this case you’re liable for any damage and additional cost arising from the transport of your Assistance or Service Dog.
To fly your pet under the Air Dolomiti Assistance & Service Dog policy, they must be trained by a recognised organisation, and you must provide evidence of your dog’s certification at the time of booking
Air Dolomiti Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) aren’t accepted by Air Dolomiti. As ESAs are not trained to perform a specific task for their owner, ESAs are unable to travel under the Air Dolomiti Assistance & Service Dog policy. ESAs are therefore subject to the standard Air Dolomiti pet policy for travelling with pets in the cabin or hold.
However, as previously mentioned, animals aren’t permitted to fly to Munich in the aircraft hold, but ESAs are permitted in the hold on flights from the USA.
Trained Psychiatric Service Dogs are accepted for travel to travel on flights to and from the USA, provided that you complete the US Department of Transport Application Form.
Pet Travel Documentation & Vaccines
Air Dolomiti is, an Italian pet friendly airline, so for flights to or within the EU, your cat or dog has to meet the EU Pet Travel Scheme criteria. This means that you’ll need to arrange either a Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate, and ensure that your cat or dog is microchipped and vaccinated against Rabies.
You can check out the pet travel laws for entering Italy, or other worldwide destinations in 2024.
Excluded Pet Routes with Air Dolomiti
Due to government rules, cats, dogs and other animals can’t enter the UK in the cabin of a commercial aircraft. In this case, all pets must fly as cargo, therefore you may wish to check out other pet friendly airlines that fly cats and dogs as cargo.
These rules are in place in some pet friendly destinations that are currently rabies free, in order to protect their borders.
Are Pets Safe on Planes?
If you’re worried about your furry travel companion’s wellbeing when flying, check out our comprehensive post regarding pet safety on planes. While in the USA, a monthly report is provided for airline pet incident rates, there isn’t an equivalent in many other countries at the moment. So, there’s no data available for incidents when flying pets in the hold with Air Dolomiti. Note that even the airline pet incident reports submitted in the USA are only for cats and dogs flying in the hold, and don’t include any in cabin events.
No doubt, at some point your trip will involve a car ride, so have a look at our 12 Essential Pet Car Safety Tips too. Should your cat or dog suffer from motion sickness, we’ve also compared some of the treatments, strategies and medications for pet travel nausea.
It’s important to be aware that you can’t sedate or tranquilize your cat or dog for their flight, whether your pet, or pets, are travelling in the Air Dolomiti cabin or hold.
In addition, to protect your pet’s health and wellbeing in a new country, be sure to keep your cat or dog safe from vector-borne diseases. In particular, Heartworm from mosquitoes and Leishmaniasis from sandflies in Southern European destinations pose a serious threat.
You might also want to check out 10 Pet Friendly Airlines in the EU and Pets in Cabin from the UK, as well as 7 Transatlantic Pet Friendly Airlines.
And don’t forget the all important Essential Pet Travel Accessories!
Prior to booking, always view the Air Dolomiti pet travel policy on their website for any recent changes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some airlines are frequently amending their rules for pets on planes.
Remember to leave an Air Dolomiti pet travel review if you fly your pet in the cabin or hold!
