Virgin Australia takes off with Australia's first Pets in Cabin flights

Virgin Australia has today made history, launching Australia’s first ever Pets in Cabin service on flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast and Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.*
The service has initially launched as a trial until 30 January 2026, before a planned expansion to all eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights by late 2026.
Eligible pets (small dogs and/or cats only) can travel for an introductory price of $149 per animal, per flight.*
Over 50 per cent of Pets in Cabin bookings made to date are for the summer holiday season.
More information on the Pets in Cabin service is available here.

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Thursday 16 October 2025: Virgin Australia has officially unleashed a new era of travel, making history with Australia’s first Pets in Cabin flights taking off between Melbourne, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

The Pets in Cabin service will initially launch as a trial until 30 January 2026 in order for the airline to gather important feedback from customers. Virgin Australia plans on expanding the service to all eligible domestic flights by late next year.

With more than 50 per cent of Pets in Cabin bookings made to date for the summer holiday period, the service is already proving popular among Aussies who are looking to holiday with their four-legged companions for the first time or find an alternative solution to pet boarding services.

To celebrate today’s first Pets in Cabin flight (VA733 from Melbourne to the Gold Coast), Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson shared a special audio message over the aircraft PA. Guests were also gifted 10,000 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points - enough Points to redeem a one-way domestic flight on Virgin Australia.

Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said the airline is excited to once again be making Australian aviation history.“Launching Australia’s first Pets in Cabin flights is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of, ” said Mr Emerson.

“We’re excited to give Australians a new way to holiday. Pets are part of the family, and this new service is about making sure every member, human or furry, can enjoy the journey together.

“We’re very confident the Pets in Cabin trial will be a success. It’s an offering that’s worked effectively in the US and Europe for decades, and something Australian travellers have waited for, for years.

“Innovation has always been in Virgin Australia’s DNA. From being the first airline in Australia to offer online check-in and baggage tracking, to being the first airline in the world to reward guests for sitting in the middle seat (through our Middle Seat Lottery promotion), we’ve consistently led the way. That spirit of innovation, combined with our focus on our customers, is what sets us apart in the market,” he said.

Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, said: “I'm thrilled to see Virgin Australia once again rewriting the rule book of aviation, ” said Sir Richard.

“Allowing pets to travel in the cabin speaks to Virgin Australia’s spirit of doing things differently and I can’t wait to see the joy this new service brings to travellers and their four-legged companions, ” he said.

Important information on the Pets in Cabin service:

Pet type: Small dogs or cats only.* Please note, cats will not initially be permitted on flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Pet limit: A limit of four (4) pets weighing under 8 kilograms (combined with the carrier) will be permitted on each eligible flight.
Carrier requirements: Pets must travel in an approved soft-sided leak-proof carrier measuring no more than 44 centimetres (L) x 26 centimetres (W) x 28 centimetres (H). Absorbent mats must be placed inside the carrier when travelling. Suitable carriers are available for purchase from leading pet supply retailers.
Pet containment: Pets must be secured in a pet carrier which must be
stowed under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight. Pets are not permitted outside of the carrier at any time whilst onboard the aircraft. More information here.
Seating allocation: Guests travelling with pets will be seated in window seats in two designated rows only (seats 18A and 18F and 20A and 20F). Pets will not be permitted to be stowed under any other seat on the aircraft. Refer attached diagram.
Vaccination proof: Pets must be up to date with vaccinations prior to travel.
Health and safety: Pets with existing health conditions, including those that are pregnant, are recovering from surgery or injury, are between 8-12 weeks of age, are over 12 years of age or are brachycephalic breed, must have a veterinary-issued certificate confirming the pet is fit to fly. Pets under eight weeks old are unable to travel.
Allergy-safe seating: Virgin Australia aircraft are fitted with advanced air filtration systems removing 99 per cent of airborne particles including pet dander, providing peace of mind for guests with allergies, even when seated near pets. Additionally, guests with allergies can choose alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge. More information on health onboard here and air filtration here.
Lounge access: In accordance with food standards regulations, pets are not permitted in any food and beverage service areas, including Virgin Australia Lounges.
Booking the service: To book a Pets in Cabin service on flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast and Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.

No changes to assistance animals

The Pets in Cabin service will not result in any change to approved assistance animals being able to travel in the cabin of all Virgin Australia flights at no additional cost. The existing procedure for assessing the eligibility of these assistance animals to travel onboard will not change.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

Virgin Australia will continue to offer pets to be transported as cargo on all eligible domestic services through approved pet carrier services. More information here.
Approved assistance animals will continue to be able to travel in the cabin of Virgin Australia aircraft at no cost. More information here.
For more information on the Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin service, please visit the airline’s website here.
In a survey by Animal Medicines Australia in 2022, it was found that 69 per cent of Australian households own a pet, with almost 29 million pets calling Australia home. Read the full report "Pets in Australia: A survey of pets and people", here.
Virgin Australia conducted market research in April 2023 of 643 Australian travellers. Out of the 426 that were pet owners, 286 selected more than zero to the question "If it was allowed by the airline, how often would youmost likely fly with your pet(s) in the cabin?". 164 pet owners selected they would take at least one extra return flight a year to the question "Would being able to fly with your pet in the cabin increase the number of flights you take per year?”

HOW THE PETS IN CABIN SERVICE WILL WORK:

Booking Pets in Cabin:

Guests wanting to fly with their pet in the cabin will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 to book. Guests will need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions to proceed with thebooking.

Airport Arrival:

Guests will need to arrive to the airport with their pet in a secure approved carrier with cable ties securing all but one opening and an absorbent mat placed inside.
The pet must already be fitted with a harness or collar and leash.
Pet owners should use the external animal relief area prior to entering the airport. Please note, animal relief areas differ at each airport.

Check in:

A Virgin Australia Guest Services team member will ensure the carrier meets the requirements; the owner will then sign the Pet Acceptance Form.
The carrier will be fitted with a “Live Animal” tag and the owner will be given a green security seal. Once this process has concluded, guests will be able to check-in as usual.

Security:

The pet owner will proceed to security and once their carry-on baggage has been placed through the screening point, they will be instructed on when the pet must be taken out of the carrier.
Please note, the empty pet carrier will go through security screening just like carry-on baggage.
The pet owner will proceed through screening point and undertake screening with the pet, before placing their pet back inside the carrier and locking the carrier with the green security seal.
Please note, security procedures may differ slightly at each airport. Pet owners must follow the directions of the airport security teams for protocols and requirements.

Boarding and in-flight:

The pet will remain secured in the carrier at all times when inside the airport, with exception to the security checkpoint.
Once at the departure gate, the pet owner will preboard the aircraft before sitting in the designated Pets in Cabin seats in either rows 18 or 20 (seats 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F).
Once seated the owner must place the pet carrier under the seat in front of them on top of an absorbent mat.
The pet must remain in the carrier for the duration of the flight. Once the aircraft has landed in the destination, the pet owner must remain in their seats until majority of guests have disembarked the aircraft.

Arrival

The pet must remain in the pet carrier at all times at the destination airport, with exception to the animal relief area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What if I have an allergy?

Virgin Australia recognises the importance of addressing guests' concerns, including allergies. To ensure a comfortable experience for all guests, the airline has limited the number of pets allowed per flight to a maximum of four pets per flight and will assign the pet owner to designated seating areas across two rows (seats 18A, 18F, 20A, 20F). The pet carrier must be stowed in its carrier under the seat in front for the duration of the flight.

Virgin Australia aircraft are equipped with advanced HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems. These systems refresh cabin air 20 to 30 times per hour with sterile air, flowing from ceiling to floor. As a result, most guests can comfortably be seated just a few rows away from pets without experiencing allergic reactions. More information here.

If requested, Virgin Australia staff will happily accommodate guests with allergies to alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge.

Guests with any medical concerns should follow the existing medical guidelines here.

2. How will Virgin Australia manage if a dog relieves itself on the flight?

Virgin Australia has engaged a veterinarian to develop guidelines regarding exercise, feeding, hydration, and toileting prior to the flight. These recommendations will be communicated to all guests purchasing the Pets in Cabin service to help ensure the comfort and wellbeing of their pets.

In addition, airports that operate pet-friendly flights all have a suitable animal relief area.

To manage any unexpected incidents, pet carriers must have a leak-proof base, and absorbent mats must be placed both inside and beneath the carrier.

3. How will a pet carrier fit under the seat?

All pet carriers will need to fit specific requirements including size that will allow the carrier to fit under the seat in front of the pet owner. More information here.

4. Are pets allowed in the Virgin Australia Lounge?

In accordance with the Australia Food Standards Code, non-assistance animals are prohibited from entering inside food establishments. As Virgin Australia airport lounges serve and prepare food, pets are not permitted access to these areas.

5. Will I know if pets are on my flight?

The trial Pets in Cabin service will be available on all Virgin Australia flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast and Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*Cats are not permitted on flights to/from the Gold Coast Airport during the trial period. Virgin Australia may vary its published Pets in Cabin fees at any time. The applicable Pets in Cabin fee will be the price published to you at the time you purchased the service. Fees are per animal, per sector. Pets in cabin services are limited and subject to availability. This service may not be available on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. Refunds are not permitted for this fee if you cancel your booking or the service, but may be requested for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions apply.