- Virgin Australia will take off with its first Pets in Cabin flight from Adelaide on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with services now available to book.
- 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*.
- Subject to final airport approvals, Virgin Australia intends to make Pets in Cabin services a standard offering on eligible flights from next year.
HOW-TO GUIDE (YOUTUBE LINK HERE)
Tuesday 9 June 2026: Virgin Australia has today announced that its first Pets in Cabin flight departing Adelaide will take off on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with services now available to book.
The expansion to Adelaide, first announced in February 2026, marks the latest growth of Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, following strong customer demand for the Australian airline-first service. Since launching in October 2025, almost 1,500 pets have taken to the skies, giving Australians more flexibility, choice and value when travelling with their four-legged family members.
Virgin Australia is working closely with airport partners to assess further expansion opportunities, with additional Pets in Cabin destinations expected to be announced in the coming months.
The inaugural flight from Adelaide, VA218, will depart for Melbourne at 11:50am on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with guests and their pets set to enjoy a special send-off at the departure gate.
How to book Pets in Cabin Adelaide services
To book a Pets in Cabin service departing Adelaide, 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.
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
Booking dates extended
Virgin Australia has also extended the travel dates for majority of its Pets in Cabin services through to 30 September 2026*, with services between Adelaide and Melbourne (both directions) available to book until 31 January 2027. The extended travel dates for Adelaide-Melbourne services will give pet owners more opportunity to travel with their pets over the Christmas and summer holiday season.
Subject to final airport approvals, the airline intends to make Pets in Cabin services a standard offering on eligible services from next year.
Commentary
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said the expansion marks another milestone in the airline’s commitment to innovative, customer-led travel experiences.
“We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the Pets in Cabin service, with almost 1,500 pets travelling on Virgin Australia flights since the program launched in October,” said Ms. Minogue.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate.
“We’re thankful for the support of Adelaide Airport and our airport partners around the country as we continue expanding the network and making the service available to more guests and their pets.
“We’re laser focused on improving the travel experience and giving customers more choice, value and flexibility in how they travel, and our Pets in Cabin services are a testament of that,” she said.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager, People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill, said the airport was excited to join Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, offering an improved experience for customers.
“We’re looking forward to being a part of what has already proven to be a very popular initiative with Virgin Australia’s customers. Pets are part of the family so it’s great that travellers will now be able to travel with their four-legged friends,” said Mr O’Neill.
First introduced in October 2025, the Pets in Cabin service has reshaped Australia’s domestic aviation landscape, creating new economic opportunities across tourism and pet travel, while expanding travel options for Australians and their small four-legged companions.
The expansion of the Pets in Cabin network to Adelaide reflects Virgin Australia’s continued focus on delivering customer-led innovation. In recent years, the airline has introduced a range of industry-leading initiatives, including baggage tracking, rewards for guests who sit in a middle seat, an Australian-first all-in-one flight search tool, enhanced mobile app functionality, and a new airport check-in experience that reduces check-in times by up to 50 per cent# at participating airports.
More information on Virgin Australia 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.
