- Virgin Australia has today marked a major milestone in the expansion of its Australian airline-first Pets in Cabin service, with its first service taking off from Adelaide Airport.
- The flight is the first Pets in Cabin service from an airport outside the program's launch network, signalling the next phase of expansion for the popular service.
- The Pets in Cabin Adelaide network will initially include flights between Adelaide and Melbourne and Adelaide and the Gold Coast (both directions).
- Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services are now available to book for travel between Adelaide and Melbourne until 31 January 2027, with all other services available to book for travel until 30 September 2026*.
- 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.
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Tuesday 23 June 2026: Virgin Australia has taken off with its first Pets in Cabin flight from Adelaide today, giving South Australian pet owners the opportunity to now travel with their small cats and dogs in the cabin on eligible flights.
The expansion of the Australian-first service to Adelaide follows strong customer demand since first launching in October 2025, with almost 1,500 pets having travelled onboard in that time.
Two Chihuahuas, Pickle and Jet, were the first pets to fly on the inaugural service, VA 218, from Adelaide to Melbourne, alongside owners, Prue Burston and Zahra McDonald, marking the beginning of Pets in Cabin services for South Australian customers.
Adelaide Airport joins Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports in the growing the Pets in Cabin network, with services now operating between Adelaide and Melbourne, and Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
Pets in Cabin network*
Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services are now available to book as follows:
- Adelaide > Melbourne
- Melbourne > Adelaide
- Adelaide > Gold Coast
- Gold Coast > Adelaide
- Melbourne > Gold Coast
- Gold Coast > Melbourne
- Melbourne > Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
- Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) > Melbourne
Commentary
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said the addition of Pets in Cabin services in Adelaide reflected the successful rollout of the program across the airline’s network.
"Since launching Pets in Cabin services, we've welcomed almost 1,500 pets on board and have continued to receive positive feedback from customers across our network," said Ms Minogue.
"Importantly, 90 per cent of travellers without pets who have travelled on a Pets in Cabin service reported they were unaware a pet was on board, demonstrating how seamlessly the program has been integrated into the travel experience.
"The introduction of the service in Adelaide is another positive step forward as we continue to provide more Australians with the opportunity to travel alongside their pets.
"By extending Pets in Cabin services to Adelaide, we're not only providing greater choice and convenience for pet owners, we're also supporting tourism and local businesses by making South Australia more accessible to a growing segment of travellers who want to holiday with their pets.
"South Australia is a fantastic destination for travellers with pets, with a growing range of pet-friendly accommodation, outdoor experiences and regional tourism offerings that make it easier for Australians to explore the state alongside their furry companions,” she said.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager, Corporate, Alicia Bickmore, said it was great to partner with Virgin Australia to bring the Pets in Cabin network to Adelaide.
"Pets are cherished members of the family, and this initiative ensures our passengers no longer have to leave their four-legged friends behind. We are supportive of providing customers with greater choice to bring their pets on holidays and look forward to working with Virgin Australia to deliver an enhanced, stress-free travel experience for our customers,” said Ms Bickmore.
Veterinarian and pet expert, Dr Katrina Warren said:
“For many Australians, pets are cherished members of the family, so having more opportunities to travel with dogs and cats is a welcome step. It's wonderful to see Virgin Australia recognising the important role pets play in our lives and making it much easier to include them in travel plans”.
Among the first customers to experience Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin service on the inaugural Adelaide flight, Zahra McDonald said: “Pickle is a big part of my family, so being able to travel together is so exciting. The Virgin Australia team made the experience easy from check-in to boarding, and it was reassuring to know Pickle could stay close by throughout the trip.”
Also travelling on the inaugural Adelaide Pets in Cabin service, Prue Burton said: “Jet and I regularly travel between Adelaide and Melbourne, and until now that has usually meant a long drive so we could stay together. Having the option to fly with him is a real game changer, making the journey much quicker and giving us more time to enjoy our trip once we arrive.”
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.
First introduced in October 2025, Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services have reshaped Australia's domestic aviation landscape by providing a new travel option for eligible cats and dogs while creating new opportunities across tourism and the pet travel sector.
The expansion of the Pets in Cabin network to Adelaide builds on Virgin Australia's track record of customer-led innovation. In recent years, the airline became the first in Australia to offer baggage tracking and rewards for sitting in the middle seat. More recently, it was the first to launch a dedicated app within ChatGPT, an Australian-first all-in-one flight search tool on its website, as well as slashing the check-in time by up to 50 per cent# across 10 domestic airports through new technology upgrades.
More information on Pets in Cabin services is available here.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.
NOTES TO EDITOR
- To book a Pets in Cabin service, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89. Guests will need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions to proceed with the booking.
- The current Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin routes remain under a trial basis and are available to book for travel until 30 September 2026, with services between Adelaide and Melbourne available to book for travel until 31 January 2027. Further announcements on these routes will be made in due course.
- 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 Australian 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, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.
THE PETS IN CABIN CHECK-IN AND TRAVEL PROCEDURE:
Airport Arrival:
- Guests will need to arrive at 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.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
*Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Gold Coast routes remain under a trial basis and available to book for travel until 30 September 2026, excluding services between Adelaide and Melbourne which are available to book for travel until 31 January 2027. 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.
#Based on analysis of historical transaction time data compared with future state performance observed during a one-week live trial at Mackay Airport where the upgrades were deployed. The trial incorporated transaction timing analysis, user testing and behavioural observations across a sample of travellers, indicating check-in times of up to 50% faster.
