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If you’re one of the many dog owners who hates leaving your best fur-ever friend behind when you travel, here’s some great news from across the border — Italy has just approved a new regulation that allows dogs to travel Cabin On domestic flights
Yep, that’s right — no more guilt filled, heart-wrenching goodbyes at the cargo drop-off. The big question now is when is Spain going follow?
As of May 2025, Italy has given the green light for dogs under 10kg to travel inside the plane cabin — as long as they’re comfy in an airline-approved soft carrier. Some airlines have even created pet-friendly rows where larger dogs can sit next to their owners. The safety and hygiene of the pet are paramount, but how about their emotional comfort? Priceless.
This change is part of a growing movement in Europe to treat animals as sentient beings — not just cargo. Italian airlines such as ITA Airways, Neos and Volotea, which also fly to Spain, are happy about the change. They see it as a victory for animal welfare The following are some examples of how to get started: customer satisfaction.
Why it matters
Let’s be honest — for most of us, dogs are family. Flying with dogs? It can be a nightmare. It’s a nightmare. The cabin may allow smaller dogs, but the paperwork, weight limits and unexpected fees make it a hassle.
The Italian move is refreshing. It puts both emotional wellbeing and pet safety front and centre, and it recognises that travelling with pets shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be possible, affordable, and stress-free.
Spain, Are You Listening?
Spain is full of animal lovers — around 11 million dogs live in Spanish homes today, and that number keeps growing. Why not follow Italy? It makes sense to follow Italy’s lead.
- Better for AnimalsHeat, noise from baggage, separation stress, and fear? The dogs are better off staying with their owners to protect them.
- Local Tourism Boosts the EconomyMany pet owners will not fly at all to avoid leaving behind their dogs. Many pet owners avoid flying altogether to avoid leaving their dogs behind.
- Spain’s own lawsSpain recognized animals as sentient in 2022. It’s about time that our travel systems caught on to this mindset.
- Rescue and CharitiesThis change would be a huge benefit to adopters, foster families, rescue groups and even those who move assistance dogs around the country.
- Choose Eco-Friendly ProductsIf they knew that their dog would be able to accompany them, some travellers may choose a shorter flight. This could lead to fewer vehicles on the roads.
What’s Next?
If Spain wants to move forward, the first step is teamwork — airlines, local governments, and animal welfare organisations need to sit down and make it happen. To test the waters, it is best to start small. Test pet-friendly flights between major cities, such as Madrid or Barcelona.
Iberia, Vueling and other airlines could set the standard for pet owners who fly within Spain.
Italy has shown us that pet-friendly travel isn’t just doable — it’s smart, humane, and long overdue. As more of us look for ways to explore without leaving our dogs behind, Spain has the chance to lead the way in making travel more inclusive for all family members — paws included.
Because let’s face it — in 2025, flying with your dog shouldn’t be a hassle, air companies should be encouraging it.
