When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Air Dolomi allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air Dolomi? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air Dolomi? All your answers related to Air Dolomi pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No
Where is Air Dolomiti based?
Air Dolomiti [IATA:EN] is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa. The airline’s has hubs are in Munich and Frankfurt International Airports and bases in Verona Villafranca Airport, Florence Airport and Venice Marco Polo Airport. This airline may be a good choice for you if you are traveling within the European Union.
What countries does Air Dolomiti fly to?
Air Dolomiti offers service to pets to the following countries: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands. Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here. NOTE: Due to these new requirements, Air Dolomiti will not fly dogs to the United States in the cabin or as checked baggage until further notice. If you plan to import a dog to the United States, check with this airline to see if this ban has been lifted.
Air Dolomiti Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Dolomiti’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown by Air Dolomiti in the cabin
Small dogs and cats are permitted to fly in the cabin under both Economy and Business Classes. There is a limit of 2 pets per flight. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Pet owners must contact Air Dolomiti at least 48 hours prior to departure to make a reservation for their pet. You must be an adult passenger and your pet will count towards your carry-on allowance.
Age/Weight requirements
Maximum weight including the pet and the carrier is 17 lbs. (8 kg). Pets on domestic flights within Germany can be flown at 12 weeks of age. Pets on intra-EU flights should be at least 15 weeks of age and vaccinated for rabies to conform to European Union requirements for live animal import. Those passengers importing a puppy or kitten to Croatia, Luxembourg or Switzerland should consult with the airline regarding minimum age and vaccination requirements as these countries do accept unvaccinated puppies and kittens. Export conditions may apply as well.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
Maximum measurements for in-cabin pet carriers are 55 x 40 x 23 cm. (19.7″ x 15.7″ x 9″) (L x W x H). One carrier is permitted per passenger. Carriers should be soft sided; however, hard sided carriers that meet minimum requirements will be accepted.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Air Dolomiti requires that passengers carrying pets complete and submit an application form. Pets over 15 weeks of age must conform to EU requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination and EU Pet Passport).
Route restrictions
Although Air Dolomiti serves these nations, no pets will be flown to Jersey or the United Kingdom.
Check in
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
Cost for flights within Germany and Italy: €50
Cost for flights to/from EU Member States: €60
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by professional service animal institution that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
Notify Air Dolomiti at salescenter@airdolomiti.it at least 48 hours prior to departure if you are flying with a service dog.
Air Dolomiti Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Air Dolomiti if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by Air Dolomiti as checked baggage
Dogs and cats are permitted to fly on Air Dolomiti as checked baggage. Only 2 crates per flight are permitted in the cargo hold.
Reservations
Pet owners must contact Air Dolomiti as far in advance of departure to make a reservation for their pet. Minimum advance notice is 48 hours. You must be an adult passenger and your pet will count towards your carry-on allowance.
Age/Weight requirements
Maximum weight including the pet and the carrier measured in kilos should be reported to Air Dolomiti well in advance of transport. Maximum carrier measurements are 100 X 65 X 70 cm (39.4″ x 25.6″ x 27.6″). Pets on domestic flights within Germany can be flown at 12 weeks of age. Pets on intra-EU flights should be at least 15 weeks of age and vaccinated for rabies to conform to European Union requirements for live animal import. Those passengers importing a puppy or kitten to Croatia, Luxembourg or Switzerland should consult with the airline regarding minimum age and vaccination requirements as these countries do accept unvaccinated puppies and kittens. Export conditions may apply as well.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Although Air Dolomiti serves these nations, no pets will be flown to Jersey or the United Kingdom.
Forms Required
Pets over 15 weeks of age must conform to EU requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination and EU Pet Passport).
Check in
Pets should not be checked in more than four hours before departure. Generally, 2 hours is the standard.
Cost
For pet carriers up to (L x W x H): 60 X 45 X 40 cm (23.6″ x 17.7″ x 15.7″)
- Domestic flights (within Italy or within Germany): €80
- Flights within Europe (e.g.: Verona-Munich): €100
For pet carriers up between (L x W x H): 80 X 55 X 55 cm (31.5″ x 21.6″ x 21.6″) or 100 X 65 X 70 cm (39.4″ x 25.6″ x 27.6″)
- Domestic flights (within Italy or within Germany): €160
- Flights within Europe (e.g.: Verona-Munich): €200
Note: if you and your pet are travelling via Frankfurt, an additional transfer surcharge of €150 will be added to your booking cost.
Air Dolomiti Pet Policy – Air Cargo
Air Dolomiti does not offer air cargo services for live animals.
Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood. All crates should be equipped with pet pads or other absorbent material such as shredded newspaper.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Air Dolomiti requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however, it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Air Dolomiti
The following breeds will not be transported by Air Dolomiti in the cargo hold:
Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier , Boxer , Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Bullterrier, Carlino (all breeds), Chow-Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tibetan Spaniel.
Cats: British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan Cat, Persian Cat and Scottish Fold.
Air Dolomiti classifies these dog breeds as potentially aggressive. They will only be flown in reinforced dog carriers conforming to IATA CR 82 crate requirements. Following breeds are classified as fighting dogs/potentially aggressive: American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff), Karabash (Kangal Dog, Anatolian Shepherd) , Caucasian Shepherd (Caucasian Owtscharka), and Rottweiler.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Air Dolomiti airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with Air Dolomiti? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Air Dolomiti pet policy.
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