Virgin Australia has taken Australia a step forward this week by beginning to allow dogs on planes – well, cat-sized dogs at least.
The catch?
They have to fit into a carrier that slots neatly under the seat in front.
As the owner of two thirty-kilogram canines, I can only sigh and accept that it’s unlikely I’ll be jetting off with my four-legged friends any time soon.
How to fly with a dog!!
It’s rare that I envy the United States, but this is one area where they seem to have got it right.
With a larger population to support such ventures, airlines in America not only allow dogs (including reasonably sized ones) in the cabin, but they also boast a whole airline devoted entirely to dogs.
Yes, you read that correctly. In May 2024, BARK Air was launched with the simple idea that dogs deserve the same VIP treatment as their humans.
Over the past year, it’s been flying across the US with a service designed entirely around canine comfort. Forget cramming into a plastic box: pups are given plush seats, treats on tap, and the freedom to stretch out mid-air.
Owners, meanwhile, get the joy of seeing their pooches pampered while sipping champagne – because why should only one species enjoy the perks of business class?
BARK Air doesn’t just tolerate dogs on board, it celebrates them.
Flight attendants are trained to fuss over furry passengers, dog-friendly menus replace the usual plastic-wrapped snacks, and walkies are factored into layovers.
The airline even insists that its clientele are “dog passengers with humans,” not the other way round. It’s a concept that sounds like something out of a whimsical sitcom, yet it’s flying weekly routes and attracting both media buzz and devoted repeat customers.
Could something like BARK Air ever take off in Australia? Realistically, probably not.
Our smaller population and stricter aviation rules make it hard to imagine a fleet of dog-first flights cruising between Sydney and Melbourne.
Still, Virgin’s new policy feels like a tentative paw in the right direction. Who knows, perhaps one day my thirty-kilo companions will finally get to swap the back seat of the car for 3A and 3B in the sky.
