It’s a crushing feeling, packing your bags for a holiday under the sorrowful gaze of your pets. Well, soon you won’t have to leave your furry friends behind, because Virgin Australia is planning to welcome pets on board. Subject to regulatory approval, this will make them the country’s first airline to operate flights with pets in the cabin. This service is expected to launch within 12 months, which means you can start daydreaming about soaring through the skies along with your adorable cat or dog.
Pets on planes with Virgin Australia
Almost all major carriers in North America, including United Airlines and Air Canada, welcome pets onboard domestic flights. And in the near future, Australia will finally get to join in on the fluffy flying fun.
“Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality,” said Jayne Hrdlicka, Virgin Australia Group CEO. “Almost 70 per cent of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country.”
Of course, there are a number of rules in place to make this a safe experience for everyone. The service is limited to small cats and dogs on specific domestic routes. Pets won’t be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps. All pets must be carried in a Virgin Australia approved pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the whole flight. Pets will also be restricted to a limited number of designated rows.
There will be no changes to approved assistance animals, who are able to travel in the cabin at no additional cost.
More details, including available routes for pets and the cost for bringing a pet onboard, will be announced in the future. This proposal is subject to regulatory approval, and is pending planning and stakeholder consultation. In the meantime, pets can continue to be transported through the cargo hold. Find more information here.