Dogs on a plane: Virgin launches pet-friendly flights
Get ready for the fur to fly, quite literally, when the controversial pet-friendly flights take-off next month...
By David Flynn, September 17 2025
- Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin flights launch from Melbourne on October 16
- Broader rollout across Virgin’s domestic network next year
- Passengers will pay $149 per animal, per flight
Virgin Australia’s pet-friendly flights have been cleared for take-off, with dogs and cats allowed to sit with their owners in the cabin on selected flights from Melbourne starting October 16.
Although flagged as a trial until January 30 2026, Virgin says the Pets in Cabin service will be expanded “to all eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights next year.”
In addition to their own airfare, passengers will pay “an introductory price of $149 per animal, per flight.”
Your furry best friend can now travel with you on selected VA flights.
Qantas has previously stated it has no plans to follow Virgin and all animals – apart from service dogs – must travel below decks, although this in a special area where the temperature and noise are similar to the cabin.
Virgin’s first ‘pets on planes’ routes
From October 16, small dogs and cats will be allowed to travel in the cabin on all Virgin Australia flights between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.
Small dogs will also be permitted on board Virgin flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast, although the airline says “cats will not initially be permitted on those flights.”
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus has previously said the airport was looking forward to helping Virgin deliver the Australian-first service and “investing significant effort into providing relief areas for assistance animals and these facilities have ample capacity to serve Virgin Australia’s new guests.”
Virgin notes these two Melbourne-Queensland routes will serve as a “trial to capture important customer insights and feedback before planning a broader rollout of the service across its domestic network next year.”
Virgin Australia will roll out its Pets in Cabin service on more routes next year.
“With almost 70 percent of households owning a pet, we expect the service to be embraced by pet lovers all around the country,” says Virgin Australia Group CEO Dave Emerson.
“It’s a model that’s proven successful in the US and Europe and we’re thrilled to bring it to Australia.”
In addition to closely studying how overseas airlines operate pet-friendly flights, Virgin says it has “consulted closely with animal welfare organisations and accessibility groups, and addressed feedback from frequent travellers to develop a service that prioritises animal welfare and guest comfort.”
Pets in Cabin: what you need to know
Four window seats in two rows of Virgin’s Boeing 737 economy cabin will be designated for passengers travelling with pets (the business class cabin will remain pet-free).
These will be 18A and 18F, and 20A and 20F.
These four seats will be available for passengers with pets.
Virgin Australia Group Medical Officer Dr Kelly Bofkin says the Boeing 737s “are fitted with advanced HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems, which capture more than 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander.”
“Cabin airflow dynamics are such that air circulates from top to bottom and the cabin air is renewed 20-30 times per hour, which greatly reduces the risk of airborne allergen transfer” and other passengers experiencing an allergic reaction.
Still not a fan of sitting near a dog or a cat?
Virgin says that upon request, staff “will happily accommodate guests with allergies to alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean changing to a different flight, especially as all flights on these routes will be open to pets in the cabin – it’s more than you can be moved to a seat as far away as possible from these designated pet rows, towards either the front or back of the cabin.
Flying with your furry friend
Passengers will be allowed to fly with one small dog or cat, at least eight weeks old, with up-to-date vaccinations, with bookings for your plus-one pet made through the Virgin Contact Centre on 13 67 89.
Pets will be confined to an “approved soft-sided leak-proof carrier” measuring no more than 44cm long, 26cm wide and 28cm high, and fitted with an absorbent mat.
Your dog or cat must fit inside, and stay inside, a compact soft-sided carrier.
The pet carrier will count as one of your two permitted carry-on bags, and the combined weight of pet + carrier must not exceed 8kg.
Here’s the deal-breaker: the pet carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight, while also allowing sufficient room and ventilation for the pet.
This will prove a tight fit for poodles and pugs, let alone medium-sized mutts.
Once on the plane, the pet carrier stays under the seat in front of you.
High-flying dogs and cats will have to remain in their carrier at all times – not just during the flight, but also in the airport – except at any security checkpoint, when they’ll be carried by their owner while the pet carrier goes through security screening just like carry-on baggage.
Virgin suggests that pets “should use any external animal relief area prior to entering the airport.”
Additionally, an absorbent mat must be placed beneath the leak-proof carrier when it’s in position under the seat “to manage any unexpected incidents.”
Small bag = small dog or cat.
And before you ask: you can’t take your dog or cat into the Virgin Australia lounge, as the Australia Food Standards Code prohibits “non-assistance animals” from entering anywhere food is stored, prepared, packaged or served.
Travellers’ opinions unleashed
A poll taken by Virgin Australia on its Facebook page in 2021 saw 85% of respondents in favour of the airline allowing pets in the cabin.
The airline has cited additional research claiming nearly 70% of Australian pet owners would travel with their pet in the cabin, while Tourism and Transport Forum Australia claims over 63% of pet owners leave their pets with a sitter or loved one due to the lack of inflight pet travel options available in Australia.
However, public response to Virgin’s announcement remains sharply divided.
Social media comments following the initial announcement appear almost evenly split for and against, while a snap poll conducted by Executive Traveller when Virgin floated the concept of pet-friendly flights saw 53% of people against Virgin’s new pet-friendly policy and 47% in favour.
As always, we welcome your take on pet-friendly flights in the Comments section below: just keep it reasoned and civil, and add to the conversation rather than unleash a rant.
14 Feb 2015
Total posts 17
Personally, I think this is has potential for trouble. Even with the filters and airflow many of us are quite allergic to cat fur and I guarantee this will not help if we end up stuck by a shedding cat.
06 Feb 2021
Total posts 71
I'd be more concerned about the consequences of a nervous sh*tting cat than a shedding cat. I guess it is one way for Virgin to ensure customers will be wanting to book their tickets, and select seats, early to be in the front section of the plane. Or it could mean more people will choose Qantas to avoid the risk of being stuck in the same row as an unhappy (and letting everyone know it, ) Fluffy or Fido.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 865
I think you're quite right, who would ever select a seat in front of that designated as 'pet friendly'. Even if there were no other seats on THAT flight, I'd rather catch a later/earlier flight (irrespective of whether the 'pet friendly' seat was occupied or not.
22 Mar 2013
Total posts 14
Any clarification on what an eligible domestic flight will be in the future? That caveat sounds like some airports might opt out.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 404
I am sure if that information was available, it would have been in the article
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 177
I agree this is going to cause more trouble it's worth, for pet owners and other passengers and the crew. Even the pets may not be happy, cramped up in a bag under a seat for hours.
Has anybody thought how the dogs can be given water during that time? I know, water can lead to "accidents" but the alternative is dehydrated animals which is not fair and possibly cruel.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1084
Animals should not be allowed in the main airline cabin. Flights are already confined spaces, and animals bring unpredictable noise, odors, and hygiene issues. I’ve flown in Europe where pets freely occupied cabins—it was disruptive. In Australia, it would be a shocker, especially with smells, shedding, and even animals passing wind and not to forget the humans who accompany the animals.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 865
It'll be interesting to see if the pet-friendly seats are listed as being $149 more expensive than nearby seats, in which case many will fly un-occupied, or whether pax without a pet can select the seat, reducing the available pet-friendly seats from 4 to 3. And what happens if other pet-free flyers select the other 3 seats? VA will need to quickly learn that flights during peak times (i.e. 0700-1000 and 1600-1930) ought not have pet-friendly seats AT ALL, thus 'shovelling' the pet flyers into off-peak flights.
:-) You're welcome Dave, more where that came from. BTW, my fee is 4,000 SCs and 'Life Time Gold'. :-)
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1084
So what happens when flights get cancelled? Ten tired terriers and a cat crammed in the lounge, counting the clock till tomorrow’s pet-friendly places already packed by prior pet-friendly passengers.
I'm sure it's a Jayne Hang-Over
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 39
Gee there just doesn't seem to be a lot of space there. I can't imagine many cats or dogs would like being in a carrier let alone shoved under a seat. I could only imagine if the animal becomes distressed that the natural reaction would be that the owner would want to lift it up from underneath the seat to try and comfort it. Good luck with this. It will be interesting to see how it goes
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 171
Well at least it’ll be something happening in the VA economy cabin. Nothing much else does.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 74
Hopefully the "funk" wont float into Business class being that far back on the plane... Didnt think Jetstar would ever be an option over Virgin...
30 Mar 2014
Total posts 23
It will be a disaster for all of the hygiene / allergy reasons mentioned by others, and the first time that there is an emergency where someone is injured by a panicking dog / cat, or people die because someone refuses to leave their precious pet behind during an emergency evacuation and slows down everyone else's exit, there will be a re-think......
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Sep 2021
Total posts 30
No, thanks.
QFF
17 May 2017
Total posts 16
Moving on from considerations of hygiene etc and a dog or cat being small/light enough to actaully fit in the bag - ergonomics for people poo poo it from what I can see.
I wonder where passengers legs & feet will actually go? - the photo of the passenger in her seat & pet bag in situ is not the best example.
It looks like it’s a Virgin photo as the Pet Bag Tag has a Virgin logo but there is not a lot of leg/foot room, plus her right left foot appears to disappear into the carpet, and so does not intrude into the neighbours space as it would in reality.
So for the journey - Legs have to stay crossed (for a dose of DVT)?; Intrude into the nest seat space?; Sit awkwardly sideways (book a trip to the chiro); or knees tucked under the chin?
Anyway, my 2 cents and all that
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 74
IKR, could they have found an older or skinner lady to take pictures of with her pet bag ? Even she had to cross her legs... no way would you want the middle seat next to any of these "pet zones "
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 33
That carrier isn't under the seat it is just in the foot well. With an 8kg weight limit only very small - not medium - animals would fit. And there is no such thing as a "leak-proof" carrier!
As much as I'd love to take my pet everywhere I just don't see this as workable.
QFF
17 May 2017
Total posts 16
Good point BrisbanePE about the bag only in the footwell - still wonder why a (photo-shopped) snap was included of how it will NOT be when seated.
24 Apr 2017
Total posts 83
ah well, back to Qantas it is...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 74
Where did they find the 85% who wanted this ?? Ive spoken to a large cross section of people in my line of work and NONE say this is a good thing.. Just fly in the states and youll see....
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 Sep 2015
Total posts 31
A bad idea just to raise more revenue, as a Platinum flyer it is not good and who were consulted , certainly not FF I am sure
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 865
It would have been a wide-ranging and detailed survey, probably on FB, with maybe 10-20 respondents (curiously all within 5 minutes of the idea being floated). Yeah, I'm Platinum and didn't receive a darn thing about it (as best I recall).
12 Sep 2024
Total posts 16
Apart from placing these pet seats in the front, they should be relegated to the back of the plane. This will come back to "bite" Virgin as others would want to bring their pet duck, rooster, lizard, snake, etc as well. Why discriminate? Remind me of plane rides in those good old days in undeveloped countries where anything goes!!
The cabin is reserved for humans. Another "woke" idea!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 74
Yup with the pigs and chickens running up and down the isle 🤣
18 Aug 2021
Total posts 6
I really cannot see how the pet carry case can fit under the seat in front of the passenger with the pet. For a start, the seat width on the Virgin 737 is 44 cm, which is also the same length of the carry case, so there would be almost zero room on either side of the carry case. So where do the passengers legs and feet fit? I would also be surprised if the case can fit "UNDER" the seat in front as it is 28cm high and 26 cm wide, which might explain why the picture shows the carry case under the legs of the passenger and not under the seat in front.
It would have to be a very small dog and even cat to fit in the case, and even then it would seem quite cruel to keep them inside the case while in the airport and jet, which is probably minimum 2 hours and more likely 3 or 4 hours.
Lastly, I would not like to be the passenger sitting in seat 19 A or F, with a dog in front and one behind your seat. Although sitting in 19B or 19E next to a dog might be worse!
Sorry Virgin, but if I could not make sure I could book seats far away from the Doggy rows, I would take a different flight (or airline). Perhaps the strategy is to get all passengers to pay for seat selection. Is allocating 4 seats for pets on a flight really worth the additional $596 revenue?
12 Sep 2024
Total posts 16
"Virgin suggests that pets “should use any external animal relief area prior to entering the airport.”
The best well trained animal in the world will do what it wants to and when it wants to. It will not put up a "paw" to ask for permission to use the Rest Room when it wanna go!! Goodness!
I, like the rest, will vote with my feet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2016
Total posts 5
Allergies not withstanding, I can't imagine a small pet could be any worse than your average unchecked toddler these days. My most recent flight was nearly five hours spent in the row in front of a child who, when wasn't emitting frequent high pitched squeals for no apparent reason, was playing a game on an iPad "on loud" complete with annoying music. At least a small pet can't kick the back of my seat for hours on end.
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 8
We as usual are just catching up the rest of the world where pets are common practice on most airlines in Europe and the Americas. I would rather sit next to a dog that some humans
11 Jul 2024
Total posts 6
Not worried about pets in the cabin but I can't wait to be in the security line with the passenger carrying their pet while the pet carry bag is put through the Xray machine. There will be more delays as other passengers fawn over the cute dog/cat and want to pet it. And then dogs/cats that escape whilst passenger fiddles around with laptops, mobiles, wallets etc for the Xray machine. Would be hugely entertaining to see an escaped pet go through the security checkpoint while the passenger is still on the other side.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1084
Seriously, if that happened they may have to clear the terminal and all passengers back through security.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2014
Total posts 128
8kg or less basically excludes every dog
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Feb 2018
Total posts 4
People will not keep their pet in the carrier in the carrier for the whole flight, there will always be an excuse not to and enforcement will fall back on the Cabin Crew. Wong decision for safety and passenger comfort (dog/cat faeces and vomit). BTW I am a dog friendly person; mine have always flown in the hold. I like Virgin - I’ll prefer Qantas.
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