Major update on Virgin Australia's pets on planes policy
Share and Follow

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Virgin Australia will allow dogs and cats to fly in its cabins by Christmas, making it the first airline in the country to allow pets to travel alongside their owners.

The airline has secured Food Standards Australia New Zealand approval to carry small animals in the cabin, overcoming the key regulatory hurdle that had delayed the change since Virgin announced the plan last year.

Those bringing pets on board will be assigned to designated rows apart from other passengers, with the animals to remain inside approved carriers at all times and be  able to be stowed under the seats.

Virgin Australia first announced the service in March last year; however the approval process took longer than anticipated.

‘There were a lot of regulatory changes that needed to be put in place including … that under aviation regulations, an aeroplane is considered to be a restaurant for the purposes of food service regulation,’ Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said.

‘And so, you’re not allowed to bring pets into a restaurant, so we had to go get the rules changed and get an exemption.

‘That process is now finally completed, so we’re looking forward to launching pets onboard before the end of the year.’

Virgin’s bid to amend the Food Standards Code was approved by FSANZ last month, clearing the way for small pets in carriers to be stowed beneath their owner’s seat.

Virgin Australia will be the first  airline in the country to allow pets to travel in the cabin beside their owners (stock)

Virgin Australia will be the first  airline in the country to allow pets to travel in the cabin beside their owners (stock)

Virgin Australia has announced it will allow dogs and cats to fly in its cabins by Christmas

Virgin Australia has announced it will allow dogs and cats to fly in its cabins by Christmas 

‘We assessed the microbiological food safety risks and found that, with appropriate risk management controls in place, the presence of pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins presents a low risk to passengers,’ a FSANZ statement said.

While the regulatory change clears the way for pets, the final on whether to allow any individual animal on board rests with the pilot, who has broad powers under CASA regulations to refuse them if they pose any risk to safety or operations.

Virgin Australia has been consulting with doctors and vets over how to manage the issue of dog and cat hair allergies among fellow passengers.

Virgin Australia plans to trial ‘pet-friendly’ flights on popular routes, such as Melbourne to Sydney.

Although it would be a first for Australian skies, most major airlines in North America offer a pet service, including United Airlines and Air Canada.

Qantas and Jetstar currently only allow accredited service dogs in the cabin and other approved animals are flown in the cargo hold.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump slashes refugee intake to 7500. It'll be mostly white South Africans

Trump Administration Cuts Refugee Quota to 7,500, Prioritizing White South Africans

The Trump administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits annually…

Australian Survivor Shares Harrowing Experience of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Key Points Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica and is the…
New laws to give Queensland parents access to child sex offender registry

Queensland Parents Gain Crucial Insight with New Child Sex Offender Registry Access Laws

Queensland parents will soon be able to access the names and photos…

AFP Chief Highlights Emerging Threat Amid Investigation of Australian Connections to Paedophile Network

This article contains references to violence and child abuse. The Australian Federal…
Tributes pour in as legendary Australian radio star dies at age 54 just months after being diagnosed with aggressive cancer

Australian Radio Icon Passes at 54: Tributes Flood In Following Battle with Aggressive Cancer

Renowned Australian and New Zealand radio host and media executive Kim Blair…

Israel’s Strikes on Gaza Amidst US Claims of Ceasefire Stability: A Complex Conflict Unfolds

Israeli planes launched strikes in Gaza City on Tuesday after Prime Minister…
'Every four hours': Shock stat reveals Australia's illegal gun crisis

Stunning Statistic Unveils the Reality of Australia’s Illegal Gun Crisis: An Incident Every Four Hours

More than 2000 guns are stolen every year in Australia, averaging out…
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea.

Trump Reduces Tariffs Following Productive Talks with China

US President Donald Trump has described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi…