Virgin Australia Will Introduce Australia’s First Pet-Friendly Cabin Travel

Imagine soaring through the skies and beyond with your furry companion by your side – well, under the seat in front.

Virgin Australia is set to launch the nation’s first in-cabin pet flights within 12 months, making domestic travel with your four-legged friend a reality!

For pet-loving Aussies, the prospect of air travel is often tinged with a touch of heartache due to the challenging separation from their furry companions. In a country where 69% of households own a pet, this sentiment has fuelled a desire for a more inclusive and pet-friendly approach to air travel in Australia – a heartening trend that’s currently embraced by leading airlines such as United Airlines and Air Canada.

According to Virgin Australia’s social media surveys, the majority of respondents have expressed a preference for travelling with their pets in the cabin. Currently, domestic pets can only be transported as cargo via approved pet carrier services. Now, Virgin Australia is changing the game.

‘Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights’, said Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka. ‘We expect the pets in cabin concept will prove a popular offering and we look forward to working with Virgin Australia to make it a reality.’

Here’s what we know so far:

• The service is limited to small cats and dogs on specific domestic routes
• Pets on board will be required to remain in airline-approved pet carriers under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight
• Pets won’t be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps
• Virgin Australia will charge a fee to bring pets onboard. The cost will be announced soon
• Pets will be limited to a small number of designated rows on eligible routes
• Approved assistance animals will still be able to travel in the cabin of Virgin Australia aircraft at no additional cost
• Virgin Australia will continue to offer pets to be transported as cargo through approved pet carrier services
• Further details, including available routes, will be announced at a later date

Melbourne Airport will also be collaborating with the airline to ensure the seamless delivery of this service.

‘We’ve been investing significant effort into providing relief areas for assistance animals and these facilities have ample capacity to serve Virgin Australia’s new guests’, said Lorie Argus, Melbourne Airport’s CEO.

Upon contacting Virgin Australia to ask how pets are expected to relieve themselves on flights, we were told that this is a detail still being worked out.

How will this redefine the way Australians travel?

This approach to travel unlocks a new world of possibilities for nature-loving Australians seeking outdoor escapades with their loyal companions across the country. No longer confined by the constraints of leaving pets behind, the prospect of sharing hiking trails, campsites, and beachside getaways in different states and cities with their loyal companions will bridge the gap between the skies and the great outdoors.

Read more: Dog Friendly Adventures in Australia

The service could also foster opportunities for businesses to adapt to this market by offering accommodation and hospitality options that welcome and cater to pets and their owners.

‘Almost 70% of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country. It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia’, said Ms Hrdlicka.

Let’s goooo! | Photo by Josh Geelen

More information on this announcement is available on Virgin Australia’s website.

Images thanks to Virgin Australia