Key Takeaways
• Fiumicino Airport opened Dog Relais, a luxury dog hotel, in May 2025 for traveling pets.
• Italy’s new rules from May 12, 2025, allow medium and large dogs to fly in cabins.
• Dog Relais offers premium pet services including grooming, spa treatments, and 24/7 care.
Rome’s Fiumicino Airport Unveils Dog Relais as Italy Eases Pet Flight Rules
Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) has taken a bold step in making travel more comfortable for pet owners and their dogs. In late May 2025, the airport opened Dog Relais, a luxury dog hotel, just as Italy 🇮🇹 introduced new rules allowing medium and large dogs to travel in aircraft cabins with their owners. This move marks a significant shift in how Italy 🇮🇹 treats pets in travel settings and sets a new standard for airports across Europe.
What’s New: Luxury Dog Hotel and Pet-Friendly Flight Rules
Who? Dog owners, travelers, airport staff, and their pets
What? Opening of Dog Relais, a luxury dog hotel, and new rules letting medium and large dogs fly in the cabin
When? Dog Relais opened in May 2025; new flight rules took effect May 12, 2025
Where? Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy 🇮🇹
Why? To make travel safer and more comfortable for pets and their owners
How? By providing high-end boarding at the airport and changing flight regulations to allow bigger dogs in cabins
Let’s take a closer look at what these changes mean for travelers, airlines, and the airport itself.
Dog Relais: A First for Italian Airports
Dog Relais is the first luxury dog hotel inside an Italian airport. Located next to the long-term car park at Fiumicino Airport, it’s run by Fly Le Dog, a company specializing in pet care. The facility is designed to make both pets and their owners feel at ease, whether they’re traveling or working at the airport.
Key Features of Dog Relais
- Spacious Lodges: Each dog has a private lodge with 4 square meters of indoor space and 10 square meters of outdoor area.
- Comfort and Climate: Radiant panel climate control keeps the temperature just right, and automatic water dispensers ensure dogs stay hydrated.
- Entertainment: Background music helps dogs relax.
- Premium Options: For those wanting extra comfort, there are leather pillows, aromatherapy, video calls with owners, and even spa treatments.
- Grooming and Health: Services include grooming, dental cleaning, and veterinary assistance on request.
- Expert Care: The facility is staffed 24/7 by trained handlers.
Pricing
- Standard Single Accommodation: Starts at €39.9 per night
- Premium Packages: Up to €59.9–€60 per night for exclusive extras
- Double Lodges: €50 per night for up to four small dogs
Both travelers and airport staff can use Dog Relais for boarding or daycare, making it a flexible option for anyone passing through Fiumicino Airport.
Italy’s New Pet Flight Rules: What Has Changed?
On May 12, 2025, Italy 🇮🇹 changed its rules to allow medium and large dogs to travel in the aircraft cabin with their owners. Before this, only small pets—usually under 8–10 kilograms—could fly in the cabin. Larger dogs had to travel in the cargo hold, which often caused stress and safety worries for both pets and owners.
How the New Rules Work
- Who Decides the Details? Each airline sets its own conditions, including fares and carrier requirements.
- Weight Limit: The combined weight of the dog and its carrier must not be more than the average passenger weight allowed for a seat.
- Oversight: Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) makes sure airlines follow the rules, but airlines can still decide on prices and specific travel conditions.
- Safety: The rules are designed to keep flights safe while meeting the needs of modern travelers.
Why the Change?
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, called the new rules a “battle of common sense and civility.” He said the changes make travel more humane and practical for pet owners. ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma added that the move is “in full compliance with flight safety” and meets “new societal needs.”
Step-by-Step: Using Dog Relais at Fiumicino Airport
If you’re traveling through Fiumicino Airport and want to use Dog Relais, here’s how the process works:
- Reservation: Book a spot for your dog on the Dog Relais website or at the airport.
- Drop-off: Bring your dog to the facility, which is next to the long-term car park, before your flight.
- Check-in: Share your pet’s details, choose the type of accommodation, and pick any extra services like grooming or video calls.
- During the Stay: Your dog will be cared for by expert handlers. You can check in with your pet through video calls if you wish.
- Pick-up: Collect your dog when you return or at the end of the daycare period.
This setup makes it much easier for travelers to manage their pets while dealing with the stress of air travel.
Step-by-Step: Flying with Medium and Large Dogs
With the new rules in place, here’s what pet owners need to do to bring their medium or large dog into the cabin:
- Check Airline Policy: Each airline has its own rules, so check their website or call ahead to learn about fares, carrier sizes, and other requirements.
- Book Your Flight: Let the airline know you’ll be traveling with a medium or large dog in the cabin.
- Prepare the Carrier: Make sure the combined weight of your dog and the carrier doesn’t go over the average passenger weight limit set by the airline.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself extra time at the airport for check-in and security.
- Onboard: Follow the airline’s instructions for securing the carrier, usually with a seatbelt or anchoring system.
For more details on official pet travel rules, you can visit the ENAC official website.
Why These Changes Matter: Impacts for Stakeholders
For Pet Owners
- Less Stress: Dogs can stay with their owners in the cabin, avoiding the anxiety and risks of cargo hold travel.
- More Comfort: Luxury boarding and daycare at the airport mean pets are well cared for, even if they’re not flying.
- Easier Logistics: Owners can drop off or pick up their pets right at the airport, saving time and hassle.
For Airlines
- Policy Updates Needed: Airlines must change their rules to allow bigger dogs in the cabin, set new fares, and define carrier requirements.
- Weight Limits: The combined weight of the dog and carrier must not be more than the average passenger weight for a seat.
- Low-Cost Carriers: These airlines, which were often strict about pet travel, may need to adjust their policies to follow the new rules.
For Fiumicino Airport
- Setting a Standard: Dog Relais is the first of its kind in Italy 🇮🇹 and could inspire other airports to offer similar services.
- Modernization: The airport authority (ADR) sees this as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade passenger services and make Fiumicino a leader in pet-friendly travel.
Broader Context: Why Italy 🇮🇹 Changed Its Pet Travel Rules
For many years, Italy 🇮🇹 followed the same rules as most countries: only small pets could travel in the cabin, and larger dogs had to go in the cargo hold. But as more people began to travel with their pets and concerns about animal welfare grew, calls for change became louder.
Growing Demand for Pet-Friendly Travel
- More Pet Owners: The number of people traveling with pets has increased.
- Animal Welfare: Experts and advocates pointed out the risks and stress that cargo hold travel can cause for animals.
- Changing Values: Society’s view of pets has shifted, with more people seeing them as family members who deserve comfort and safety.
Policy Shift
The new rules are part of a larger effort to modernize Italy’s 🇮🇹 travel infrastructure and reflect these changing values. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this move puts Italy 🇮🇹 at the forefront of pet-friendly travel in Europe.
What Makes Dog Relais Unique?
Dog Relais isn’t just a kennel—it’s a luxury hotel for dogs. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Space: Each dog gets plenty of room to move, both indoors and outdoors.
- Comfort: Climate control, soft bedding, and calming music help dogs feel at home.
- Personal Touch: Owners can check in with their pets through video calls, and premium services like aromatherapy and spa treatments are available.
- Health and Safety: Grooming, dental care, and veterinary help are offered, ensuring pets stay healthy during their stay.
- Expert Staff: Trained handlers are on site 24/7, giving owners peace of mind.
This level of care is rare in airports and shows a real commitment to animal welfare.
Reactions from Key Stakeholders
Government and Regulators
- Matteo Salvini (Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister): Praised the new rules as a win for “common sense and civility.”
- ENAC (Civil Aviation Authority): President Pierluigi Di Palma said the changes meet both safety standards and the needs of today’s travelers.
Animal Welfare Groups
- Supportive: Many animal welfare advocates say the new rules are a big step forward, making travel safer and less stressful for pets.
Airlines
- Mixed: While some airlines welcome the clarity and new opportunities, others note that they’ll need to adjust their operations to handle more pets in the cabin.
Travelers
- Positive: Many travelers are happy about the changes, saying it will make trips with pets much easier and more enjoyable.
What’s Next? Future Outlook
Expansion to Other Airports
Fiumicino’s Dog Relais could inspire other airports in Italy 🇮🇹 and across Europe to offer similar luxury pet facilities. As more travelers expect high-quality pet services, airports may compete to provide the best options.
Airline Adaptation
Airlines will likely continue to refine their pet travel policies, possibly introducing new fare structures or services for in-cabin pets. Some may even offer special seating or amenities for travelers with dogs.
Ongoing Regulation
Italy’s 🇮🇹 Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and the Ministry of Transport will keep an eye on how the new rules work in practice. They may make further changes or work with other European countries to create similar standards.
Practical Guidance for Pet Owners
If you’re planning to travel through Fiumicino Airport with your dog, here’s what you should do:
- Check Airline Rules: Before booking, look up your airline’s pet policy to understand weight limits, carrier sizes, and fees.
- Book Early: Reserve a spot at Dog Relais if you need boarding or daycare, especially during busy travel times.
- Prepare Your Pet: Make sure your dog is comfortable with its carrier and up to date on vaccinations.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself extra time at the airport for check-in and security.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on updates from ENAC and your airline, as rules and procedures may change.
For official information on pet travel regulations, visit the ENAC official website.
Conclusion: Italy 🇮🇹 Leads the Way in Pet-Friendly Travel
The opening of Dog Relais at Fiumicino Airport and the new rules allowing medium and large dogs in aircraft cabins mark a major step forward for pet owners in Italy 🇮🇹. These changes make travel safer, more comfortable, and more convenient for both pets and their humans. As other airports and airlines watch how these new policies work, Italy 🇮🇹 is setting an example for the rest of Europe and beyond.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an airline operator, or simply someone who loves their dog, these developments offer new options and greater peace of mind. By putting pets’ needs front and center, Fiumicino Airport and Italy 🇮🇹 are showing that travel can be both modern and humane.
For more details on booking and services at Dog Relais, check the official ADR Dog Relais page. And for the latest updates on pet travel rules, always refer to the ENAC official website.
As Italy 🇮🇹 continues to modernize its travel infrastructure, travelers can expect even more pet-friendly innovations in the years ahead.
Learn Today
Dog Relais → A luxury dog hotel at Fiumicino Airport providing premium boarding and care for dogs.
ENAC → Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority overseeing airline compliance with pet transportation rules.
Cabin Travel → The allowance for pets to accompany owners inside the airplane’s passenger cabin during flights.
Carrier → A container used to safely transport pets aboard aircraft according to airline regulations.
Flight Regulations → Rules set by authorities and airlines governing how pets can be transported on planes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Rome’s Fiumicino Airport launched Dog Relais, a luxury dog hotel, alongside new rules allowing medium and large dogs in cabins, improving pet travel comfort and welfare significantly.
— By VisaVerge.com
