As Australia prepares for the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, you could say Virgin Australia is gearing up for the “dog days” of summer. That’s because the Brisbane-based airline now allows passengers to bring eligible pets — small dogs or cats only — into the cabin on select flights for the first time.

Initially launched as a trial, the ‘Pets in Cabin’ service is available on flights linking Melbourne with the Sunshine Coast (MCY) and the Gold Coast (OOL) until 30 January 2026, though cats are not presently permitted on the latter route. The program will be expanded to all eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights by late 2026.

“With more than 50 per cent of Pets in Cabin bookings made to date for the summer holiday period, the service is already proving popular among Aussies who are looking to holiday with their four-legged companions for the first time or find an alternative solution to pet boarding services,” says Virgin Australia.

Citing ‘overwhelming’ demand, as exemplified by its own market research, the airline started putting the wheels in motion to change its fur baby policy after Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority altered its ‘carriage of animals’ regulations in December 2021, enabling airlines to decide for themselves if they would permit pets in the cabin. Previously, all animals except service animals had to be checked into the aircraft cargo hold.

“We’re excited to give Australians a new way to holiday. Pets are part of the family, and this new service is about making sure every member, human or furry, can enjoy the journey together,” says Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson.

Qantas Group carriers haven’t signaled their intent to do the same.

Cognizant that passengers who are allergic to cats and dogs might be concerned about their carriage in the cabin, Virgin Australia is limiting the number of pets permitted on board to four and designating the window seats in two specific rows — seats 18A and 18F and 20A and 20F — as pet friendly.

“Pets will not be permitted to be stowed under any other seat on the aircraft,” stresses Virgin Australia, adding that guests with allergies “can choose alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge.”

The airline also points out that its aircraft are fitted with advanced air filtration systems that remove “99 per cent of airborne particles including pet dander, providing peace of mind for guests with allergies, even when seated near pets.”

Whether or not Virgin Australia’s assurances will assuage the fears of allergic passengers remains to be seen. But the airline is confident the Pets in Cabin trial will be a success.

“It’s an offering that’s worked effectively in the US and Europe for decades, and something Australian travellers have waited for, for years,” Emerson notes.

The airline is charging $149 per pet, per sector though it reserves the right to change its published fee at any time. There is a bit of a bonus here: guests traveling with pets will have the opportunity to preboard in order to place the pet carrier under the seat in front of them on top of an absorbent mat, before the scrum begins.

Refunds are not permitted for the $149 fee if a passenger cancels their booking or the service.

Importantly, the Pets in Cabin service does not change any aspect of Virgin Australia’s policy around approved service animals being able to travel in the cabin of all Virgin Australia flights at no additional cost.

Let’s look at Virgin Australia’s new policy.

Each pet must weigh under 8 kilograms (17.6 lbs) when the weight of the pet carrier is included. An approved pet carrier must be used, and the pet must fit comfortably in it under the seat in front of the passenger.

The “soft-sided leak-proof carrier” must measure no more than 44 centimetres (L) x 26 centimetres (W) x 28 centimetres (H) and feature “absorbent mats must be placed inside the carrier when traveling,” says Virgin Australia.

The pet must be older than eight weeks, up to date on their vaccinations, have not given birth within the last seven days, and must be already fitted with a harness or collar and leash before travel.

“Pets with existing health conditions, including those that are pregnant, are recovering from surgery or injury, are between 8-12 weeks of age, are over 12 years of age or are brachycephalic breed, must have a veterinary-issued certificate confirming the pet is fit to fly,” says the airline.

Prohibited breeds, including the American pit bull terrier are not permitted on board.

The Pets in Cabin program is limited to the cabin environment; pets will not be in any food and beverage service areas on board or indeed on the ground, including in Virgin Australia Lounges.

In order to book the Pets in Cabin service on flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, guests are being advised to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre. They will have to sign a Pet Acceptance Form at the airport, their pet carrier will be fitted with a “Live Animal” tag and the owner will be given a green security seal.

Pets must always be secured inside their carrier at the airport and on the aircraft, unless in the airport animal relief area or when going through security screening. The empty pet carrier will go through security screening just like carry-on baggage.

Virgin Australia says the pet must remain in the carrier for the duration of the flight. And once the aircraft has landed, the pet owner must remain in their seats until the majority of guests have disembarked the aircraft.

For Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, the airline’s decision to buck domestic trends by allowing pets in the cabin shows that it is “once again rewriting the rule book of aviation.”

“Allowing pets to travel in the cabin speaks to Virgin Australia’s spirit of doing things differently and I can’t wait to see the joy this new service brings to travellers and their four-legged companions,” he says.

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All images credited to Virgin Australia