Virgin Australia has become the first airline in Australia to officially welcome small pets into the cabin. While Virgin Australia will begin accepting small dogs and cats in the cabin, it will start out as a small trial. This trial kicks off mid-October and will initially cover two routes.
While this may be good news for those wanting to travel with their furry friends, not everyone is a fan. Some travellers have raised concerns such as allergies, and Virgin has plans to address these concerns.
Virgin Australia Pets Trial
The Pets in Cabin trial kicks off on 16 October, and will initially be available on just two routes:
- Flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast (limited to small dogs to begin with)
- Flights between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast (both small dogs and cats)
To begin with, the trial will run through to 30 January 2026. During the trial, Virgin Australia says that it “will use the trial to capture important customer insights and feedback”. Following the trial, it plans to rollout the service across its domestic network during 2026.
For passengers wishing to take their pets on one of these flights, here are the main rules:
- Price: The introductory price is $149 per animal, per flight
- Bookings: Bookings will need to be made through the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre
- Pet type: Small dogs or cats only. The dog or cat must remain in a carrier at all times
- Carrier Requirements: The dog or cat and its container must weigh no more that 8kg combined. The soft-sided leak-proof carrier must measure no more than 44 centimetres (L) x 26 centimetres (W) x 28 centimetres (H)
- Flight Limits: There is a maximum of four pets per flight. Pets will need to be in the designated seats 18A/F and 20A/F.
- Vaccination proof: Pets must be up to date with vaccinations prior to travel.
- Health and safety: Pets with existing health conditions, including those that are pregnant, are recovering from surgery or injury, are between 8-12 weeks of age, are over 12 years of age or are brachycephalic breed, must have a veterinary-issued certificate confirming the pet is fit to fly.
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson said the airline is thrilled to go on sale with Australia’s first-ever Pets in Cabin flights.
Our guests have been telling us for years how much they want to travel alongside their pets and now they finally can. It’s a model that’s proven successful in the US and Europe and we’re thrilled to bring it to Australia.
Pets in Cabin
While this is all of interest to those wanting to travel with their pet, there are those that do not. Some may have concerns such as allergies. Virgin are taking a number of steps to help alleviate these concerns.
Virgin has identified specific locations in the cabin where pets will travel. These will be 18A and 18F, and 20A and 20F. These are all economy seats – pets will not travel in the Business cabin.
In addition, to limiting pets to specific seats, Virgin also points to air filtration and circulation dynamics. Firstly, Virgin Australia says aircraft are fitted with HEPA filters which will remove most airborne particles. Secondly, the air in the cabin flows from top to bottom and is renewed 20-30 times per hour.
However, if passengers still aren’t happy, for example, if they have an allergy, Virgin says staff can move you to alternative seating further away from the pets.
FInal Words
Virgin Australia first floated the ‘pets in the cabin’ idea in 2024. Since then, they have been working out the details of how it would all work.
