The first pet-friendly commercial flights have taken off in Australia this week.
Operated by Virgin Australia, the flights allow pet owners to bring their furry friends inside the airplane cabin for the duration of the flight.
Here’s what you need to know about the new service.
What animals can be brought into the cabin?
Passengers are only permitted to bring cats and small dogs onboard.
The combined weight of the pet and its carrier must be no more than 8 kilograms.
There are some further restrictions, too.
Pets must be older than eight weeks, be up to date with vaccinations and may need to have a valid veterinary certificate.
They also can’t have given birth within the seven days prior to the flight.
Breeds prohibited by governments are not allowed onboard.
Under Queensland and Victorian laws, there are five prohibited dog breeds.
Who can bring their pets on a flight?
Only a few people per flight will be allowed to bring their pets into the cabin.
Virgin will assign the passenger one of four pet-friendly seats in the cabin. Those are 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F.
With the designated seats separated, encounters between pets onboard flights is unlikely.
Pets can’t take just any flight, either.
Pets will need to remain in a carrier under the seat for the entirety of the flight. (Supplied: Virgin Australia)
Bookings are currently limited to a select few routes.
Those are the Melbourne and Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne and Gold Coast routes.
It’s even more limited for cats, which are only permitted to travel between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.
There are also limitations on who can bring their pet onboard.
Passengers will not be permitted to book a spot for their pet if they are:
- Travelling alone with a baby
- An unaccompanied minor
- Also travelling with an assistance animal
Can pets walk around the cabin?
No.
Pets must remain inside a carrier under the seat in front for the entire duration of the flight.
They also can’t be let out of their carrier inside airports unless in the animal relief area or when going through security screening.
Is there a toilet for pets on the plane?
No.
Pets aren’t allowed outside of their carriers for the duration of the flight.
There are animal relief areas in the airport, however.
What happens if a pet goes to the toilet on the plane?
Virgin Australia says accidents cannot be dealt with until pet owners get to a designated “animal relief area” at the destination airport.
That’s because the carrier cannot be taken out from under the seat in front for the entire duration of the flight.
The airline recommends using extra absorbent mats inside the carrier and carrying wet wipes and plastic bags to deal with any accidents that may occur.
Only small dogs, like this one, will be allowed onboard. (Pexels)
How will pet-friendly flights affect people with allergies?
Allergens from cats and dogs (such as their hair, fur and saliva) are largely encountered through direct contact.
Because pets must remain in their carrier, Virgin Australia expects allergen risks to be minimal.
The airline says aircraft ventilation systems also significantly reduce passengers’ risk of coming into contact with allergens, “as the airflow is from top to bottom and is refreshed using high efficiency particulate air 20-30 times per hour”.
“With the pet carrier being placed underneath a seat, dander will be carried out of floor-level vents and filtered out, rather than recirculated,” the airline has said on its website.
“Therefore, for most guests, being seated a few rows away from pets will greatly reduce the likelihood of an allergen trigger occurring during the flight.”
It’s recommended passengers with severe allergies identify themselves to the airline in advance.
Is flying safe for pets?
Air travel can present health risks for some animals because of higher altitudes, cabin pressure and temperature changes.
Because of those risks, Virgin Australia says it may require a veterinary certificate for some pets to confirm they are ready to fly.
That includes if the pet:
- Has a medical condition
- Has had surgery in the two weeks prior
- Was recently injured
- Is a brachycephalic breed
- Is younger than 12 weeks or older than 12 years
- Is pregnant
- Needs to be sedated
How do you book a pet in cabin spot?
To secure a pet’s spot, passengers will need to book in advance by calling Virgin’s Guest Contact Centre.
Bookings must be made at least 72 hours before take-off.
Do pet-friendly flights work the same way overseas?
Most overseas airlines that have pet-friendly policies have similar requirements that the pets stay inside their carriers and underneath the seat in front for safety reasons.
Several private jet charter companies allow pets to travel in the airplane cabin with their owners and may not require carriers.
