Virgin Australia launches pets-in-cabin flights: Where else can your dog fly too?
September 23, 2025
Virgin Australia is trialling a “Pets in Cabin” service beginning October 16, 2025.
The airline will permit small cats and dogs on selected domestic flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.
The trial will continue until January 30, 2026, after which Virgin may expand the service to other markets.
Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin flights
The airline’s policy allows pets to fly in their carriers, provided they weigh no more than 8 kg in total. The pet carriers must be soft-sided and stowable under the seat in front of the human companion.
Specific seats (window seats in designated rows) will be allocated for pet-friendly bookings. Virgin Australia has marked “pet seats” with a red paw on its reservations system.
The airline will charge a fee of AU$149 per flight for flying pets. Pet owners will also need to present vaccinations and veterinary certificates.
Virgin Australia welcomes pets onboard to please their owners
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said the airline is introducing Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights in response to customer demand. In a 2021 social media survey of Virgin Australia’s Facebook followers, 85% voted in favour of the airline launching ‘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,” Emerson said in the airline’s announcement.
The airline also cites recent research from Tourism and Transport Forum Australia, which found that over 63% of pet owners leave their pets with a sitter or a friend when travelling due to the lack of in-flight pet travel options available in Australia.
“With almost 70% of households owning a pet, we expect the service to be embraced by pet lovers all around the country,” Emerson added. “Beyond convenience for pet owners, the service is also set to boost the pet-friendly travel sector, including hotels and tourism operators.”
Veterinarian and pet expert Dr Katrina Warren called the launch of Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin service a milestone for pet-loving travellers.
“As both a vet and pet owner, I understand how deeply Australians love their pets and treat them as cherished family members,” Dr Warren said. “Flying with pets in the cabin has already proven successful overseas, and I’m thrilled to see Virgin Australia leading the way with this Australian first. It’s a meaningful step forward, making travel more accessible for pet owners and acknowledging the important role pets play in our lives.”
Ensuring the health of pets and passengers onboard
Virgin Australia has indicated that the welfare, safety, and comfort of both animal and human passengers will be central to assessing the trial’s success. Dr Kelly Bofkin, Virgin Australia Group Medical Officer, said the airline has been rigorous in addressing allergy and cabin hygiene.
“Ensuring the health and comfort of all guests has been central to the development of this service, and we’ve carefully reviewed customer feedback since our 2024 announcement to inform every decision,” she said.
“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.”
Virgin Australia aircraft are equipped with advanced HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems, which capture more than 99% 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,” Dr Bofkin added. “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.”
Global airline pet policies vary
Around the world, airlines are increasingly reevaluating their policies for accommodating animals in the cabin.
Korean Air has previously reported a 29% year-on-year increase in the number of travellers flying with pets in its SKYPETS programme. The airline permits dogs, cats, and pet birds over eight weeks old, with dedicated pet-friendly cabins and a handler.
Many major carriers in the United States and Europe allow small pets (dogs and cats) in the cabin, provided they fit in a carrier that can be stowed under the seat. Many also require valid health documentation, have weight and dimension restrictions, and in-cabin behaviour rules.
ITA Airways has begun accepting larger pets following Italy’s passage of new regulations that permit larger dogs in the cabin. Under the new rules, dogs weighing more than 22 pounds (10 kg) may fly in the cabin under certain conditions, provided they are transported in approved carriers that can be anchored to a seat or otherwise secured.
Several prominent carriers remain restrictive on pets. Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines generally permit only service or assistance animals in the cabin; non-service pets are usually required to be transported in the hold as cargo.
Japan’s StarFlyer leads a policy shift
In Japan, long-standing policies by ANA and JAL have prohibited pets in the cabin except for assistance dogs. Most Japanese carriers require pets to fly in the hold.
However, in response to public demand, regional carrier StarFlyer introduced a service allowing small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin on all domestic routes.
It’s a pricey service; the fee for one pet is ¥50,000 (nearly $340) for a one-way trip. Only two pets in all can fly on any one flight, one pet per passenger. Only small dogs and cats that fit into a specified cage are permitted, and the cage must be secured near the window seat in the aircraft’s rear-most row, allowing the pet owner to sit beside it.
For safety reasons, pets are considered carry-on baggage, meaning they cannot be removed from their cages during an emergency evacuation and must be left on the aircraft. Before flying, pet owners must sign a waiver acknowledging the evacuation rule.
Bark Air’s luxury niche pet flying service
Alongside mainstream carriers, niche services are emerging that place pets at the centre of the travel experience.
Bark Air launched in the United States as a “dog-first” airline. It carries dogs of (almost) any size under breed and safety guidelines. Pets travel in cabins designed for their comfort.
Fares are significantly higher than standard commercial flights. For example, a doggie flight from New York to London can cost around $9,150.00 (per dog and human), according to the carrier’s website.
The service includes pet-centric amenities, veterinary and paperwork assistance, and ground logistics.
The semi-private carrier, JSX, permits small dogs and cats as well as medium to large dogs (up to 70lbs) to travel in the cabin, provided the owner purchases an extra (adjacent) seat. Dogs must generally lie on the floor in front of that seat. The carrier requires the dog to be well-behaved and the owner to comply with the requirements and regulations.
What to watch for as more pets fly
Virgin Australia’s trial, StarFlyer’s policy shift, and the increasing visibility of pet travel demand could prompt more airlines to revisit their pet-restrictive policies.
There are still issues to address, including ensuring animal welfare (especially regarding stress, temperature, ventilation, and safe carrying). Still, these are also pressing concerns for pets that travel in the hold.
There is a need for consistent international regulatory frameworks that ensure equal treatment of pets on airlines. Airlines must balance the desires of pet owners with the concerns of other passengers regarding allergies, noise, and cabin cleanliness.
