Virgin’s letting the dogs out!

Virgin Australia announcement. . Picture: Alex Coppel
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Virgin Australia has announced its intention to be the country’s first airline to operate flights with pets onboard under a plan unveiled today.

    The Australian-first service, which will have pet-lovers rejoicing around the nation, is subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to launch within 12 months.

    In a social media survey of Virgin Australia’s Facebook followers in 2021, 85 per cent of respondents voted in favour of the airline launching pets in cabin flights.

    A more recent research conducted by Virgin Australia with Australian pet owners highlighted nearly 70 per cent of respondents advised they would travel with their pet in the cabin, with 57 per cent saying they would fly more regularly if the service was a reality.

    Almost all major carriers in North America offer pets onboard service for domestic flights, including United Airlines and Air Canada.

    Proposed pets in cabin in-flight experience

    For the comfort of all guests, Virgin Australia has today announced several parameters for pets in cabin flights:

    The service will be limited to small cats and dogs on specific domestic routes. Pets will be restricted to a limited number of designated rows and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps and pets must also be carried in a Virgin Australia approved pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight

    Virgin pets on board. (Supplied)

    Speaking at a press conference at Melbourne Airport, Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said Virgin Australia is thrilled to finally reveal its plans to be the first Australian airline to offer pets onboard flights.

    “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 Ms Hrdlicka.

    “Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality. It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well.

    “Almost 70 per cent of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country.

    “It’s also a great thing for pet-friendly accommodation providers who will benefit greatly from increased connectivity and the ease for travellers to fly with their pets.

    “It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia.”

    Melbourne Airport CEO, Lorie Argus, said the airport is looking forward to helping Virgin Australia deliver the plan.

    “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,” she said.

    “Animals being carried on board Virgin Australia flights will be required to remain in their approved pet carriers at all other times within the terminal.

    “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.”

    No changes to assistance animals

    The proposed pets in cabin flights will not result in any change to approved assistance animals being able to travel in the cabin of Virgin Australia aircraft at no additional cost.

    The existing procedure for assessing the eligibility of these assistance animals to travel onboard will not change. Additionally, Virgin Australia will continue to offer pets to be transported as cargo through approved pet carrier services, as this remains an important part of the Virgin Australia pet offering.

    Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

    virgin australia

    Latest News

    • Destinations

    Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

    Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

    • Appointments

    Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

    Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

    • Appointments

    Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

    Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]