Paws in the air: Virgin Australia makes history with pet-friendly flights

Virgin Australia has unleashed a game changer for Aussie travellers, officially launching the nation’s first Pets in Cabin flights.

From Wednesday, passengers can book tickets for their furry companions on select routes between Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast, with the inaugural flight set to take off from Melbourne Airport on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

The service, which allows small cats and dogs on-board for an introductory $149 per flight, will run as a trial until January 30, 2026, before being rolled out across Virgin Australia’s domestic network next year.

However, the offer isn’t without its restrictions. Only small cats and dogs weighing under 8kg (including their carrier) will be allowed in the cabin, with a maximum of four pets permitted per flight.

They must remain in an approved soft-sided, leak-proof carrier stowed under the seat in front of their owner for the entire journey.

Passengers travelling with pets will be seated in designated window seats (18A, 18F, 20A and 20F), and during the trial, cats will not be permitted on Melbourne–Gold Coast services.

All animals must be up to date with vaccinations, and pets under eight weeks or over 12 years old, as well as those with certain health conditions or breeds such as brachycephalic dogs, will require a veterinarian’s certificate confirming they are fit to fly.

The move follows overwhelming public support, with a 2021 Virgin Australia Facebook poll showing 85 per cent of respondents in favour of in-flight pets.

Animal welfare and passenger health have been front of mind in developing the service, according to Virgin Australia group medical officer Kelly Bofkin.

“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,” Dr Bofkin said.

She said advanced HEPA air filtration systems on Virgin aircraft removed more than 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander, while new “buffer zones” around allocated pet seating would further protect passengers with allergies.

Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson said the airline was excited to deliver a service Australians had been calling for.

“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,” Mr Emerson said.

“With almost 70 per cent 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.

“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.”

Veterinarian and media personality Katrina Warren described the launch as 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.”

Virgin joins major international airlines such as United Airlines, Air France and Air Canada, which already allow pets on-board certain domestic flights.

Mr Emerson said the new offering was in keeping with Virgin’s track record of industry “firsts”, from being the first local airline to offer online check-in to its quirky “Middle Seat Lottery” promotion.

For now, it’s a trial, but if successful, it could soon be commonplace to see cats and dogs becoming “paw-sengers” right across Australia’s skies.