Passengers Can Bring Pets on Select Australian Flights
Virgin Australia will become the first airline in Australia to allow small pets to travel in the cabin, with bookings now open. The service will initially operate on flights between Melbourne to the Gold Coast, as well as Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, starting 16 October 2025. Passengers can bring small dogs or cats on board for a fee of $149 per pet per flight, giving travelers the option to keep their pets close during domestic trips.
The service was designed with input from international airlines, animal welfare bodies, accessibility groups, and frequent travelers. Passenger feedback is being collected during the trial to assess pet safety, traveler comfort, and the efficiency of airline procedures. Insights from this initial phase will inform whether the service expands to other routes across Virgin Australia’s domestic network in the future.
“With almost 70 percent 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."
It is important for passengers to understand certain requirements to maintain safety and comfort for all on board. For travelers, the service introduces specific requirements for pets and their owners:
- Pets must travel in soft-sided, leak-proof carriers.
- The combined weight of pet and carrier cannot exceed 8 kilograms.
- Carriers must remain stowed under the seat throughout the flight.
- Cats are initially not permitted on flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast.
- HEPA filtration systems on board remove over 99 percent of airborne particles, helping limit exposure to pet dander.
- Reserved seating rows with buffer zones minimize allergen exposure for nearby passengers.
Additional measures have been introduced to protect the safety of pets and maintain passenger comfort. Additional guidelines outline how pets should be managed during flights:
- Up to four pets are allowed per flight in designated window-seat rows.
- Pets that are very young, elderly, pregnant, recovering from surgery, or of brachycephalic breeds require veterinary certification.
- All pets must be up to date with vaccinations.
The introduction of the Pets in Cabin service marks a new development in domestic air travel for pet owners. The introduction of the service marks an important shift in domestic travel options for Australians. The service allows pet-owning households more flexibility in planning travel and helps ensure pets can fly safely without disturbing other passengers. The trial will offer practical information to refine policies and prepare for a possible expansion of pets traveling in the cabin across domestic routes.
