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Virgin Australia has officially launched its trial of pets in cabins, with bookings now on sale and flights to begin next month.
Pets will be allowed in the cabin on flights between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne and the Gold Coast, starting 16 October. The trial will gather insights and feedback from customers until 30 January 2026, before a broader domestic rollout next year.
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The only pets allowed on board will be small dogs or cats in approved carriers, at an extra charge of $149. The combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 8kg, and only four animals in total will be allowed on board, to be stowed under seats 18A, 18F, 20A, and 20F.
Carriers must be soft-sided and leak-proof, and pets will not be allowed out during the flight. Owners should also make use of external animal relief areas before entering the airport.
“With almost 70 percent of households owning a pet, we expect the service to be embraced by pet lovers all around the country. Beyond convenience for pet owners, the service is also set to boost the pet-friendly travel sector, including hotels and tourism operators,” said Virgin CEO Dave Emerson.
“Pets on flights is another example of Virgin Australia leading the way with new and improved service offerings and first-to-market experiences for our guests.
“Innovation has always been a hallmark of Virgin Australia. We were the first airline in the country to offer online check-in, baggage tracking, and globally, we were the first airline to reward guests for sitting in the middle seat (through our Middle Seat Lottery promotion).
“It’s this innovation and relentless focus on our customer that’s at the core of who we are in the market.”
In response to allergy and hygiene concerns, Virgin Australia group medical officer Dr Kelly Bofkin said the airline had “carefully reviewed customer feedback since our 2024 announcement to inform every decision”.
“We have looked to best medical evidence, worked with other airlines who currently carry pets and consulted with peak allergy bodies in developing our policies and procedures,” said Dr Bofkin.
“Our aircraft are fitted with advanced HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems, which capture more than 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander.
“Cabin airflow dynamics are such that air circulates from top to bottom and the cabin air is renewed 20-30 times per hour, which greatly reduces the risk of airborne allergen transfer.
“Additionally, the creation of ‘buffer zones’ (two rows behind and two rows in front of the allocated pet rows) ensures that the risk to guests of allergen exposure is significantly reduced.”
Service animals will continue to be allowed on flights as normal, and guests may still arrange to have pets transported in the hold as cargo.
