Virgin Australia sets 2025 date for pets in cabins

Virgin Australia’s plan to allow pets inside aircraft cabins is officially out of the bag, but there’s a 12-month wait on getting furry friends on-board.

Qantas and Jetstar remain adamant they will not follow Virgin Australia and permit pets on board with their owners, even as flight attendants welcome the move.

After two years of contemplation, Virgin Australia announced on Thursday it would allow small dogs and cats into the main aircraft cabin from next year, providing they were contained in a carrier.

A Qantas Group spokeswoman said their policy on pets remained unchanged with only certified assistance dogs allowed in the cabin.

Rex had no immediate plans to permit furry friends on aircraft, and budget carrier Bonza was also unmoved by the Virgin Australia decision.

“We love all creatures great and small at Bonza, but for now with the exception of approved assistance dogs, we don’t accept animals on-board or in the cargo hold,” said a Bonza spokesman.

An online poll by The Australian showed the majority of readers were opposed to pets in the cabin, with 70 per cent voting no.

The result was at odds with an Instagram poll by Virgin Australia taken in 2021, that found 68 per cent of followers were in favour.

Flight Attendants Association of Australia federal secretary Teri O’Toole said there was ongoing consultation with Virgin Australia on what role cabin crew would play in the new policy.

She said the FAAA was generally in favour of the move, and recognised that many people wanted to have their pets with them in the cabin rather than stow them in the cargo hold.

“It’s our understanding that dogs and cats will remain in special carriers for the duration of the flight, and they will be the responsibility of the pet owner,” said Ms O’Toole.

“There will be designated rows for passengers with pets; they won’t be scattered through the cabin so people who are concerned about their allergies won’t be around them.”

Ms O’Toole said concerns about smells, noise or mess were likely to be unfounded, given the sort of people likely to go to the effort to bring their pets on board.

“There’s a good chance those pets have more grooming visits than most of us have in the salon,” she said.

“I think it’s great. For a lot of people during Covid, pets became their family and I know a lot of people don’t trust putting them in the cargo hold because of stress.”

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority confirmed the regulations allowing pets to be carried in the main cabin of aircraft took effect in late 2021, and Virgin Australia would not need to seek regulatory approval.

The regulations stated that it was “the responsibility of the operator and pilot-in-command to ensure the safety of the flight when an animal was carried on an aircraft”.

Worldwide numerous airlines allowed pets in the cabin of aircraft, including United Airlines, American, Delta, Alaska Air, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Air France.

Korean Air even offered a loyalty program for pet passengers, known as “skypets”.

In most cases restrictions on the size of the pet applied, and while some airlines allowed all manner of pets including snakes, birds and rabbits, others permitted dogs and cats only.

Prices typically started at about $100 for a one-way domestic flight and $250 for international.

Virgin Australia was yet to determine what it would charge, or what routes would be designated as “pet friendly”.

Ms O’Toole said there were also some decisions to be made about pet carriers in emergency situations — and whether passengers would be allowed to carry them down inflatable slides.

“These are things that we’ll work through in the consultation process, such as what happens if a passenger with a pet becomes incapacitated, who takes responsibility?” she said.

Virgin Australia surveyed followers on Instagram in 2021 to gauge public support for pets on planes. Picture: Instagram.

More details on available routes, and the cost will come later.

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, who was set to leave the airline before the change took effect, said pets were a part of almost 70 per cent of Australian households.

“Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality,” Ms Hrdlicka said. “It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well.”

Virgin Australia has announced plans to allow small dogs and cats in the cabin within 12 months. Picture: Virgin Australia

Australian Airports Association chief executive James Goodwin said major gateways were working with Virgin Australia to make the plan a reality.

He said terminals already had facilities for assistance and therapy dogs.

“Australians love their pets and will appreciate the option of being able to travel with their furry friends,” Mr Goodwin said.