Animals in Cargo

Search online for a pet shipper, or explore our trusted transport partners listed below.

Your animal’s welfare is important to us.  If you are booking via a Commercial Pet Transport Company, we recommend you ask them to book your animal through Virgin Australia Cargo for a great pet travelling experience.

Please note that if you are sending non-domesticated animals, zoo animals, sea animals, endangered species or animals requiring a licence or permit, you or your Commercial Pet Transport Company will need to submit an Exotic and Special Animal Request form (prior to booking) to cargocontrolcentre@virginaustralia.com.

While we love welcoming our brachycephalic breeds, there are specific welfare factors that need to be considered when travelling. Their anatomy can make it harder for them to breathe and stay cool, especially when they’re stressed.

Due to this, you must book Brachycephalic animals on one of our Brachycephalic approved commercial pet or animal transport companies – they' re experts in the special transport requirements for these vulnerable breeds and will be happy to help with your travel arrangements (unfortunately direct bookings cannot be accepted with Virgin Australia Cargo). 

You’ll also need a registered vet to check your animal and complete a special Brachycephalic Veterinary Assessment Form to confirm they’re fit to fly safely (this includes cross breeds with the below animals).

The list of brachycephalic breeds includes, but are not limited to:

Dog breeds

• Affenpinscher
• American Bully
• American Bulldog
• Australian Bulldog
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon / Griffon Bruxellois
• British / English Bulldog
• Chow Chow
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• English Toy Spaniel / King Charles Spaniel
• French Mastiff
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug (Chinese Pug, Dutch Pug, Japanese Pug)
• Shih-Zhu (Tsu) (Tzu)
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Valley Bulldog

Cat breeds

• Exotic Shorthair Cat
• Himalayan Cat
• Persian Cat

Connecting flights and uplifts with Brachycephalic breeds

Brachycephalic breeds are not permitted on connecting flights on the same day and will not be accepted for travel on flights departing between 09:00 and 18:00 (local port time). 

Brachycephalic breeds are only permitted for uplift between the following cities: 

• Adelaide (ADL)
• Brisbane (BNE)
• Canberra (CBR)
• Gold Coast (OOL)
• Hobart (HBA)
• Launceston (LST)
• Melbourne (MEL)
• Newcastle (NTL)
• Perth (PER)
• Sydney (SYD)

Approved brachycephalic Commercial Pet Transport Company are noted in the list above.

Dog breeds

Please note that the following dog breeds (including crossbreeds) are prohibited from travel in compliance with the Australian “Customs Regulations 1956” and the “Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999”:

• Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (Czechoslovakian Vlcak) 
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Kunming Wolfdog (Kunming Dog)
• Lupo Italiano (Italian Wolfdog)
• Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario)
• Pit Bulls (including all sub breeds)
• Saarloos Wolfdog (Saarloos Wolfhound)

Cat breeds

Domestic/non-domestic (cats) hybrids cannot be imported to Australia in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

• Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed with serval cat (Felis serval)
• Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
• Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
• Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Animal limits per container

If you’re travelling with multiple dogs or cats 

We typically only allow one animal per container. However, we have a few exceptions where up to three animals can travel in the same container if they are:

• All from the same litter; and 
• Under 6 months old; and 
• Under 14kg each.

Or, if you have two animals that are comparable size and are; 

• Under 14kg each and; 
• Are compatible to travel together.

If you’re travelling with birds 

• Limits are in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations (LARs). See their website for further requirements.

If you’re sending non-domesticated animals, zoo animals, sea animals, endangered species or animals requiring a licence or permit, you or your commercial pet transport company will need to submit an exotic and special animal request form before booking.

Finally at the time of lodgement, please ensure you comply with the following requirements.

We try to maintain the temperature in the cargo hold to be consistent to the temperature experienced in the passenger cabin. To maximise your pet or animal’s comfort, the lighting in cargo will also be dimly lit.

It is important to remember that your pet or animal maybe exposed to high levels of airport operation noise whilst waiting to be loaded into the aircraft hold.

Accidents happen. To avoid them, we recommend not feeding your pet or animal for at least eight hours before travel. It’s also important to give them lots of time to go to the toilet before travelling.  

If your pet or animal soils the crate before boarding, they will not be loaded onto the aircraft. For safety reasons, our airline staff and contractors are not permitted to take animals out of their container. In these situations, we may require you (if you booked directly with Virgin Australia Cargo) or your commercial animal transport company to clean the container before re-accepting your pet or animal for departure.  

In the event this cannot happen in time, we may call out a commercial animal transport company on your behalf to clean the crate. This may be charged back as an additional amount.

Our priority is to safely and securely transport your animal from point A to B.

However, due to the complex environment surrounding airport operations, unforeseen disruptions can happen. If they do, your animal will be moved to a shaded, well-ventilated area and frequently monitored by our team. 

If the delay exceeds 2 hours or if we are unable to place your animal on another service on the same day (including, but not limited to cancellations and or missed connecting flights), our team will contact you to organise alternative travel options.

Sedation is not recommended, however, if your vet does recommend sedation, your animal must travel with a valid veterinary certificate and travels at the owner's risk. If your vet doesn’t recommend sedation, they’ll be able to advise you on other ways to manage stress. For further information on why sedation is not recommended refer to the IATA site; IATA - Traveler's Pet Corner.

If you have any questions, get in touch with your animal transport specialist. 

If you booked directly, reach out to our friendly Virgin Australia Cargo team.   

13 82 87 
cargo@virginaustralia.com