The service will initially launch as a trial on flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast and Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, with the inaugural flight scheduled to take off from Melbourne on October 16.
Tickets for furry companions (small dogs and/or cats only) are available for an introductory price of $149 per animal, per flight.
Since announcing its intention to launch Pets in Cabin flights in March 2024, Virgin Australia has actively engaged and collaborated with leading international airlines already operating similar services.
The airline also 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.
Virgin Australia will use the trial to capture important customer insights and feedback before planning a broader rollout of the service across its domestic network next year.
“Our guests have been telling us for years how much they want to travel alongside their pets and now they finally can,” said Dave Emerson, Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer.
“It’s a model that’s proven successful in the US and Europe and we’re thrilled to bring it to Australia.
“With almost 70 per cent of households owning a pet, we expect the service to be embraced by pet lovers all around the country. Beyond convenience for pet owners, the service is also set to boost the pet-friendly travel sector, including hotels and tourism operators.”
In a 2021 social media survey of Virgin Australia Facebook followers, 85 per cent voted in favour of the airline launching Pets in Cabin flights.
More recent research from Tourism and Transport Forum Australia found that over 63 per cent of pet owners are leaving their furry companions with a sitter or loved one due to the lack of inflight pet travel options available in Australia.
Pets in Cabin services are already a standard airline offering across major carriers in North America and Europe, including United Airlines, Air France and Air Canada, which offer pets to travel onboard on domestic routes.
Dr Katrina Warren (pictured left), Veterinarian and pet expert, welcomed the new service, calling it a milestone for pet-loving travellers.
“As both a vet and pet owner, I understand how deeply Australians love their pets and treat them as cherished family members,” Dr Warren said.
“It’s a meaningful step forward, making travel more accessible for pet owners and acknowledging the important role pets play in our lives,”
For more information on the Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin service, visit the airline’s website here.
