Want to travel with your small dog or cat? Virgin Australia might soon let you bring them along for your next flight!
Why now?
American airlines have allowed customers to travel with pets in the main cabin for some time now. And Virgin says an “overwhelming” number of customers in Australia want to do the same.
How will it work?
In an announcement today, the airline has signalled its intent to allow you to travel with your pets in the main cabin. Initially only small cats and dogs will be allowed on specific domestic routes, and an additional fee will apply.
Pets will need to remain in an approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. For those looking to travel with larger animals or animals of different species, you’ll need to continue using Virgin’s existing cargo pet transfer service.
“Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights,” outgoing Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka said in a statement today.
The decision is subject to regulatory approval and further consultation with unions. But Virgin is expecting to receive approval within the next 12 months.
Virgin says that there’ll be a selection of “designated rows” for those with pets. The airline also says that they don’t expect barking or meowing to be an issue.
For those that suffer allergies from pets, Virgin is confident that between limiting the designated rows for pets and cabin airflow dynamics this shouldn’t be an issue.
What about assistance animals?
Importantly, the new rules also won’t apply to those who need assistance animals such as Guide Dogs. Those arrangements will remain the same as they are today, and travel will remain free of charge for these animals.
Melbourne Airport says it looks forward to helping Virgin deliver on its plan, and has put “significant effort” into facilities for assistance animals. These new facilities also have the ability to also cater to Virgin customers, the airport says.