Aviation safety regulator to open door to pets travelling in plane cabins

Australia’s aviation safety regulator will open the door to pets travelling in aircraft cabins later this year, leaving the decision in the hands of airlines.

Nicole Schonk says she would be thrilled to fly with her three-year-old Boston terrier Hunter if he was allowed in the cabin with her. Picture: Jane Dempster

Strict regulations banning the carriage of pets in the cabin of aeroplanes will be relaxed later this year, leaving it up to airlines to ­decide whether cats and dogs can sit with their owners on flights.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s changes to general flight and operating rules take ­effect from December 2, in a significant first step towards allowing pets in the cabin other than designated service dogs.

Under the changes, responsibility for allowing pets in the cabin would be passed to the pilot-in-command, with a few general guidelines to be observed.

“When giving permission, you may need to consider the type of animal and how it is carried, contained and restrained; its reaction to noise and being out of its natural environment; nuisance to other passengers; distraction to flight crew; and how excrement or fluids will be contained,” the new CASA rules state.

“A large animal should always be secured so as not to damage or affect the balance of the aircraft in flight. A small or medium-sized animal carried in the cabin would normally need as a minimum to be restrained during takeoff and landing and in turbulence.”

In the US and Europe, pets are routinely carried on domestic and international flights, with some airlines imposing weight restrictions of a maximum 8kg for animals and their carry bag.

Charges for pets range from as little as €40 ($63) in Europe up to $US200 ($263) in America.

In the case of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, up to three animals can be carried on board providing they are in a travel bag, while Swiss Airlines and Lufthansa allow two pets per passenger.

Delta Airlines’ pet carriage policy extends to household birds, and various European carriers allowed rabbits and hares on board as well as dogs and cats.

Sydney dog lover Nicole Schonk said she would fly a lot more if she could take her three-year-old Boston terrier Hunter in the cabin with her.

“We never want to put him in the cargo hold, so as a result we ­always drive when we go on holidays,” Ms Schonk said.

“I would only want to fly if he could be with me the whole trip. I’d be happy to pay the cost of an extra seat to do that.”

Although Qantas and Jetstar immediately ruled out allowing pets in the cabin in response to the CASA changes, Virgin Australia is leaving the door open.

“We’ll consider the regulatory changes as part of a wider pet travel review we’re currently undertaking,” a spokesman said.

“Regardless of the outcome, designated service dogs will still be able to travel in the cabin.”

Currently, pets in Australia are restricted to travelling in the cargo hold of aircraft, with airlines “outsourcing” much of that work to pet transport companies.

Dogtainers’ chief operating officer Vince Ford said demand was strong. “Over the next four days, we have 221 pets travelling on one airline,” Mr Ford said, adding: “People are passionate about taking their pets with them.”

He was not concerned about any move towards allowing pets in the cabin of aircraft, but said there would need to be a lot of hurdles cleared before that could happen in Australia.