Airplanes. Liquids, no paperwork required, dogs on board: all the new features for summer 2025
It will be a summer of innovations for those who decide to travel by air. From security checks to new rules for transporting animals in the cabin, many new measures will affect passengers departing from Italian and European airports. Codacons reports. The first concerns traveler security checks: in recent days, ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) decided to eliminate the requirement for passengers to present their personal documents along with their boarding passes at Italian airports. Therefore, this summer, passengers will no longer need to show their passport or ID to airline staff to board a plane. This measure, on paper, should streamline boarding procedures and speed up airport operations.
Liquids allowed in the cabinThe second new measure comes into force today, Saturday, July 26, and will allow passengers to carry liquids in containers larger than 100 ml in their carry-on luggage without having to remove perfumes, spirits, wines, and other products from their trolleys at security checkpoints and place them in the hold. This is thanks to next-generation scanners capable of analyzing the contents of passengers' luggage with the utmost precision.
But there are also changes for pets: last May, a resolution by ENAC authorizes passengers to bring pets weighing more than 8/10 kg into the cabin , as long as the animals travel in suitable carriers, secured to the seat and placed near the window.
Towards the right to a second piece of hand luggageAnd while these are the new regulations already in place, others could be introduced soon: on June 24, Codacons points out, the European Parliament's Transport Committee approved a proposal granting passengers the right to bring two personal bags on board free of charge. However, the second carry-on bag, in addition to the standard personal bag or backpack, must be smaller, with a total height, width, and depth of 100 cm and a maximum weight of 7 kg.
But Europe could also introduce measures to the detriment of passengers: the EU Transport Council has proposed amendments to Regulation 261/2004 on air transport. Under the proposed new rules, compensation for passengers in the event of flight delays of more than three hours—currently €600 per passenger, depending on the route—will not only be lower, up to a maximum of €500, but also more difficult to obtain, as it will only be payable for delays of more than six hours for flights over 3,500 kilometers, and only after four hours for flights under 3,500 kilometers.
It's not all gold...However, according to the consumer association, the new air travel regulations are far from free of challenges and problems, and could lead to inconvenience and additional costs for passengers. For example, the ability to carry liquids over 100 ml in a trolley bag only applies to airports equipped with new-generation scanners (in Italy, Milan Malpensa, Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Bergamo, Catania, Bologna, and Turin). This means the risk of returning to or transiting through an airport where liquids are not permitted in carry-on luggage, requiring passengers to check in their trolley bags or abandon creams, perfumes, wines, and other products at security.
Disputes over animals and documentsThe measure regarding pets in the cabin is also highly controversial: it is a voluntary initiative, and each airline will be able to decide independently, apply its preferred rate, and continue to prohibit the entry of large dogs and cats on planes.
Not to mention security checks: "Italian airports appear to be applying random procedures regarding ID checks at the gate," the association states. This measure generally fails to guarantee air travel safety and poses several security risks, with passengers potentially flying with someone else's boarding pass or masking their appearance to avoid being recognized at the airport.
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