Carry-on waggage: Virgin to allow pets on domestic flights

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka (left) announcing the airline’s pets-on-board service at Melbourne Airport. (Image: Virgin Australia)

Virgin Australia will become the first Australian airline to allow pets to be carried in the cabin on some domestic flights.

The service, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to launch within 12 months and will permit small cats and dogs in selected rows on specific domestic routes. Pets must be in approved pet carriers stowed under the seat in front, and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit in laps.

Extra fees will be charged for bringing a pet on board, though pets will still be eligible to be carried as cargo through approved pet transport services, while approved assistance animals will still be permitted to fly within the cabin at no additional cost.

The move follows several surveys by Virgin Australia of pet owners, with the airline pointing to market research last year that found 70 per cent would travel with their pet in the cabin and 57 per cent would fly more regularly if the option was available.

According to Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, guests “overwhelmingly” say they want to travel with their pets, a model that has been “proven to work well” overseas.

“Almost 70 per cent of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country. It’s also a great thing for pet-friendly accommodation providers who will benefit greatly from increased connectivity and the ease for travellers to fly with their pets. It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia,” she said.

“Pets on flights is another example of Virgin Australia leading the way with new and improved service offerings and first-to-market experiences for our guests.

“Innovation has always been a hallmark of Virgin Australia. We were the first airline in the country to offer online check-in. This year we were the first Australian airline to launch baggage tracking and a fully integrated self-service disruption management tool. It’s this innovation and first-to-market drive that underpins who we are in the market.”