Virgin Australia Confirms Its Intent to Continue and Expand Pets in Cabin Service

Virgin Australia has today confirmed its intention to continue offering Pets in Cabin services on eligible domestic flights, subject to airport approvals.
The airline also plans to expand its current Pets in Cabin network to include select Adelaide and Launceston services, subject to final airport approvals, at a date to be announced after the Easter holidays.
If approved, the expansion of Pets in Cabin flights would significantly increase Virgin Australia’s current Pets in Cabin network, with more airports set to launch in the future.
Virgin Australia is on track to carry its 1,000^th pet onboard this month.

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Thursday 26 February 2026: Virgin Australia has confirmed its intention to offer Pets in Cabin services on eligible domestic flights on an ongoing basis and expand its current network to include select services to and from Adelaide and Launceston following the Easter holiday period (pending final airport approvals).

The announcement comes as Virgin Australia is on track to welcome its 1,000th pet onboard this month, underscoring the rapid uptake and growing popularity of Pets in Cabin flights, as the airline continues to work with more airports on a potential future expansion of the service.

Current Pets in Cabin network*

Melbourne > Gold Coast
Gold Coast > Melbourne
Melbourne > Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast > Melbourne

First launched in October 2025, the Pets in Cabin service has transformed Australia’s domestic aviation market, unlocking economic opportunities for the tourism and pet travel sectors, while opening new travel possibilities for Australians and their small four-legged companions (cats and dogs).

Commentary

Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue said the response to the Pets in Cabin services has been extraordinary.

“This month marks a huge milestone for our Pets in Cabin services, with our 1000^th furry friend on track to take to the skies. The response to our Australian-first Pets in Cabin offering has far surpassed our expectations which shows the sheer demand for the offering,” said Ms Minogue.

“For many Australians, pets are family, and being able to travel together removes a major barrier to taking a holiday or visiting loved ones.

“Our intention to continue offering Pets in Cabin services reflects how strongly the service has resonated with our customers. We are also continuing to work with our airport partners to expand the service to additional locations, including Adelaide and Launceston, meaning even more Australians will soon be able to enjoy flying with their four-legged family members.

“We will continue to review the service to ensure it operates safely and reliably for all guests.

“Virgin Australia is making a real difference to the Australian aviation market, and we are proud to continue innovating. We were the first airline to offer online check-in, baggage tracking, and premium extra legroom Economy X seating for domestic services. Pets in Cabin builds on our legacy of customer-led innovation,” she said.

Veterinarian and pet expert, Dr Katrina Warren said: “The success of Pets in Cabin shows just how much Australians value travelling with their pets and keeping them close. Taking steps to broaden the service is a positive move for pet families, and it’s encouraging to see momentum building.”

Velocity Frequent Flyer members can continue to book Pets in Cabin flights using just 18,600 Velocity Points per eligible sector, in addition to their own fare.

For more information on the Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin service, please visit here.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT

Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs, corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Virgin Australia will confirm an on-sale date after the Easter holiday period for proposed Pets in Cabin services to and from Adelaide and Launceston, subject to final airport approvals, connecting Melbourne, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Eligible pets can travel for an introductory price of $149 per animal, per flight.^
Velocity Frequent Flyer members can continue to book Pets in Cabin flights using just 18,600 Velocity Points per eligible sector, in addition to their own fare.
Approved assistance animals continue to be able to travel in the cabin of all eligible Virgin Australia domestic services at no cost. More information here.

Important information on the Pets in Cabin service:

Pet type: Small dogs or cats only.
Pet limit: A limit of four (4) pets weighing under 8kgs (combined with the carrier) are 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). The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kilograms. 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 in the airport, or 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: 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 or are over 12 years of age must have a veterinary-issued certificate confirming the pet is healthy to travel. All pets that are brachycephalic breed must arrive with a veterinary-issued ‘Brachycephalic Fit-To-Fly assessment form’, Pets under eight (8) 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 the 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.

THE PETS IN CABIN CHECK-IN AND TRAVEL PROCEDURE:

Booking Pets in Cabin:

Guests wanting to fly with their Pet in 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 the booking.

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 and 20 (seats 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F).
Once seated the owner must place the pet carrier under the seat in front of pet owner 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.

FOOTNOTES

*The current Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin routes remain under a trial basis and on sale until 30 June 2026. Further announcements on these routes will be made in due course.

^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 purchase the service.

Prices are per Pet in Cabin per sector (flight) and are additional to your own fare. Prices are in applicable booking currency, being the country of origin specified in your booking purchase.