Planning a trip to Italy or beyond with ITA Airways? Whether you are flying "Economy Light" to Rome or "Business Class" to Tokyo, knowing the baggage rules before you pack can save you serious money at the airport.

At a Glance: ITA Airways Baggage Policy Summary

Here is a quick reference table to help you pack correctly.

1. Carry-On Baggage Rules

ITA Airways allows every passenger to bring hand luggage, but they are known to weigh bags at check-in counters and boarding gates.

The Standard Carry-On

Every ticket (including Economy Light) includes one carry-on bag.

• Weight Limit: Must not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs).
• Size Limit: Maximum dimensions are 55 cm H x 35 cm W x 25 cm D (21.6 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) — including handles, pockets, and wheels.

The Personal Item

In addition to your main carry-on, you may bring one accessory. This includes a handbag, work backpack, or laptop bag.

• Size Limit: Must fit under the seat in front of you (45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm / 17.7 x 14.1 x 7.8 in).
• Labeling: At the airport, ground crew may provide an "Under the Seat" label for small luggage.

Warning for Busy Flights: On flights with a high load factor (completely full), airport staff may collect your carry-on at the gate and place it in the hold for free. This is for safety and comfort.

Always keep valuable items (medication, electronics, documents) in your personal item so they stay with you.

2. Checked Baggage Allowance

Your free checked baggage allowance depends entirely on your travel class and destination.

Economy Light

• Allowance: 0 bags.
• Cost: You must pay to check a bag. It is cheaper to add this online before your flight than at the airport.

Economy

• Standard Allowance: 1 bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs).
• Exceptions:
  • Flights to/from Japan: 2 bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each).
  • Flights to/from Accra and Dakar: 2 bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each).

Premium Economy

• Allowance: 2 bags up to 23 kg (50 lbs) each.

Business Class & Superior

• Allowance: 2 bags up to 32 kg (70 lbs) each.
• Business Classic: On flights to/from Europe and North Africa, the limit is 1 bag at 32 kg (70 lbs).

Maximum Dimensions: The sum of the three dimensions (Height + Width + Depth) must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches).

ITA Airways' April 2026 Pivot: SkyTeam → Star Alliance, Volare → Miles & More NEW

The April 1, 2026 transition is the biggest loyalty and alliance shift in European aviation this year. What used to be an airline with its own Volare program and SkyTeam membership is now — from that date — a fully integrated Lufthansa Group carrier flying under Star Alliance rules with Miles & More as its only frequent flyer program. Here's the timeline of how it happened:

3. Excess Baggage Fees

If you bring more bags than your ticket allows, or if your bags are heavy/oversized, you will face additional fees. Note: Fees vary by route and when you pay.

Extra Bag Fees (Second/Third Bag)

If you are flying Economy and want to add a bag, fees generally range as follows:

• Domestic (Italy): Approx. €60 (~$65) (1st bag) to €75+ (~$82) (2nd bag).
• International (Europe/North Africa): Approx. €70 – €85 (~$77 – $94).
• Intercontinental (USA/Rest of World): Approx. €100 – €250 (~$110 – $275) per bag.

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your bag weighs between 23 kg and 32 kg (50-70 lbs), you will be charged an overweight fee.

• Domestic/Europe: ~€60 – €75 (~$65 – $82)
• Intercontinental: ~€100 (~$110 USD)
• Important: Bags over 32 kg (70 lbs) are not accepted for safety reasons. You must ship these as cargo.

Oversize Baggage Fees

If your bag exceeds 158 cm (62 in) up to a max of 203 cm (80 in):

• Domestic: ~€60 (~$65)
• Europe/North Africa: ~€80 (~$88)
• Intercontinental: ~€300 (~$330 USD)

Pro Tip: Always purchase extra baggage allowance online or via the "Manage My Booking" tool. Airport fees are significantly higher.

The 32 kg / 158 cm Hard Cap: What Won't Fly at Any Price NEW

ITA Airways enforces an absolute hard refusal at 32 kg (70 lbs) per single checked bag. This isn't an overweight fee scenario — it's a physical refusal at the check-in counter. You cannot pay your way through it. The rule follows international ground handler safety regulations designed to prevent lifting injuries, and it applies uniformly across every ITA route.

4. Special Items and Exceptions

Infants and Children

• Strollers: You can transport a foldable stroller free of charge for children up to 11 years old. It must be tagged and usually checked into the hold.
• Infant Baggage:
  • Light Tariff: No checked bag for the infant (stroller only).
  • Standard Tariff: Infants (0-23 months) get 1 bag up to 10 kg (22 lbs).

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment (skis, bikes, golf clubs, surfboards) is considered "Special Baggage."

• Small Equipment (Ski, Golf, Fencing): Fees start around €40–€75 (~$44 – $82) depending on the route.
• Large Equipment (Bicycles, Surfboards, Canoes): Fees start around €60–€125 (~$65 – $138).
• Weight: If the item exceeds 23 kg (50 lbs), excess weight fees apply on top of the sports equipment fee.
• Max Size: Must not exceed 300 cm (118 in) linear dimensions.

Musical Instruments

• In Cabin: Allowed for free in place of your carry-on if it fits (max 115 cm / 45 in linear, max 8 kg / 17.6 lbs). For larger instruments (like a cello), you must purchase an extra seat.
• In Hold: Must be in a sturdy, hard-shell case. Standard checked bag fees or excess fees apply if it exceeds your allowance.

Miles & More Baggage Benefits on ITA: Frequent Traveller, Senator, HON Circle NEW

Since April 1, 2026, ITA Airways has been fully integrated into Miles & More — the Lufthansa Group's loyalty program with over 39 million members across airlines including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish, Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines. Three elite tiers unlock extra baggage benefits on ITA flights. The May 1, 2026 update added enhanced Senator and HON Circle privileges specifically on ITA metal.

Volare Members: How Your Status Matches to Miles & More NEW

Former Volare members received a free, one-time status match into Miles & More when the loyalty transition happened. If you were a Volare Club member, this is what your new Miles & More tier looks like — and what extra baggage benefits it unlocks:

May 2026 Expansion: New Miles & More Perks on ITA NEW

Just one month after joining Miles & More, ITA and the loyalty program announced a significant expansion of benefits on ITA-operated flights, effective May 1, 2026. This wasn't the original April 1 launch — it was a follow-up round of upgrades that specifically improves the value of Miles & More for travelers who fly ITA regularly.

Flying ITA Airways on Star Alliance Partners: Cross-Carrier Rules NEW

ITA joining Star Alliance opens up baggage recognition across every alliance partner — Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish, SAS, Aegean, Air India, Ethiopian, and 13 others. But the recognition works on tier equivalence, not on the Miles & More brand specifically.

ITA Codeshare with Lufthansa Group: Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna NEW

Since April 2026, ITA operates as a full-integration Lufthansa Group airline alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Discover Airlines. That means dense codesharing between ITA's Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate hubs and the German-speaking alliance backbone at Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Zurich (ZRH), and Vienna (VIE). Understanding codeshare baggage on these routes is critical because the aircraft you board may not be the airline printed on your ticket.

Three practical rules for Lufthansa Group codeshare on ITA tickets:

1. ITA's Terminal 1 at Frankfurt and Terminal 2 at Munich — same buildings as Lufthansa mainline since March 30, 2026. Baggage transfers between operating carriers happen behind the scenes; you don't need to reclaim and re-check on connections.
2. Operating carrier's rules apply on each segment for baggage purposes. A "AZ" ticket Rome-Frankfurt-Chicago has ITA rules on the AZ-operated segment and Lufthansa rules on the LH-operated segment. Your booking confirmation shows the operating carrier for each leg.
3. US-touching itineraries follow DOT interline rules — the operating carrier of the first US-touching segment often sets the allowance for the whole ticket. This can help or hurt depending on which airline is generous with that fare class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the "Light" fare include a personal item?

Yes. Even on Economy Light, you get one standard carry-on (8 kg / 17.6 lbs) AND one small personal item (backpack/purse) that fits under the seat.

How much is a checked bag if I buy it at the airport?

It is significantly more expensive. For example, a bag that costs €60 (~$65) online might cost €85 (~$94) or more at the airport counter.

Are pets allowed on ITA Airways?

Yes. Cats and dogs can travel in the cabin (max weight 10 kg / 22 lbs including carrier) or in the hold. You must book this in advance via customer service as there is a limit per flight.

What happens if I have a connection with another airline?

If your flight is a codeshare (e.g., Delta or Air France), the baggage rules of the marketing carrier (the airline code on your ticket) usually apply for flights to/from the US. For other routes, the operating carrier's rules may apply. Always check your ticket confirmation.

When did ITA Airways switch from SkyTeam to Star Alliance? NEW

ITA Airways officially joined the Star Alliance on April 1, 2026, becoming the alliance's 26th member. It had exited SkyTeam in February 2025 following the Lufthansa Group's 41% stake acquisition. From April 1, 2026 onwards, Star Alliance Gold members (via any Star Alliance carrier) receive the standard +1 checked bag benefit on ITA Airways flights. SkyTeam Elite Plus recognition on ITA metal ended.

What happened to my Volare miles? NEW

Volare's ability to earn miles ended on March 30, 2026. Existing Volare points could be redeemed for flights until that date (with travel up to 12 months forward), or for commercial partner products/services until April 30, 2026. Unfortunately Volare points were not convertible to Miles & More miles — the two programs had no mileage bridge. Any Volare points not redeemed by the April 30 deadline expired with no compensation. Volare status, however, was matched into Miles & More under the free status-match offer valid until February 2027.

Do Miles & More Senators get an extra checked bag on ITA Airways? NEW

Yes. Miles & More Senator (Star Alliance Gold equivalent) and HON Circle members receive one extra checked bag on ITA-operated flights — 23 kg / 50 lbs on Economy and Premium Economy, 32 kg / 70 lbs on Business Class. Frequent Traveller (Star Alliance Silver equivalent) also gets +1 extra bag on ITA-operated flights. Attach your Miles & More number to the booking before check-in for the bonus to apply automatically.

Can I use Miles & More miles to book ITA Airways Premium Economy? NEW

Yes, since May 1, 2026. Premium Economy award flights on ITA are now bookable through Miles & More alongside standard Economy and Business Class awards. Additional new options include Child Award Flights, World Award Flights, and 3-Regions Award Flights — all products that were unavailable during ITA's SkyTeam era.

What's the maximum weight ITA will accept for a single checked bag? NEW

The absolute hard cap is 32 kg (70 lbs) per single checked bag on all ITA Airways routes. Bags over 32 kg will be refused at check-in regardless of your willingness to pay overweight fees — this is an international ground handler safety rule to prevent lifting injuries, not a commercial decision. If you have items pushing over 32 kg, redistribute across two bags (paying the extra-piece fee) or ship as ITA Airways Cargo. Oversize items over 203 cm (80 in) total linear also cannot be checked and must ship as cargo.

Final Thoughts

To avoid stress at the airport, weigh your bags at home and ensure your carry-on is under that critical 8 kg (17.6 lbs) limit.

If you know you'll need more luggage, upgrade to a "Classic" fare or buy the baggage allowance online at least 24 hours before you fly to get the best rate.