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Virgin Australia is bringing its pets-in-cabins service to Adelaide ahead of a planned wider network rollout next year.
Flight VA218 to Melbourne on 23 June will be the first Adelaide service to allow pets in the cabin, with tickets available to book for travel until 31 January 2027. Melbourne and the Gold Coast will initially be the only two destinations for pet-friendly flights.
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“We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the Pets in Cabin service, with almost 1,500 pets travelling on Virgin Australia flights since the program launched in October,” said Virgin Australia chief marketing and customer operations officer Libby Minogue.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate.
“We’re thankful for the support of Adelaide Airport and our airport partners around the country as we continue expanding the network and making the service available to more guests and their pets.
“We’re laser focused on improving the travel experience and giving customers more choice, value and flexibility in how they travel, and our Pets in Cabin services are a testament of that.
The news follows an announcement by Virgin in February that pets-in-cabin flights would be expanded to Adelaide and Launceston. The airline also revealed this week that most existing destinations will now see the trial extended to the end of September.
Adelaide Airport has welcomed the move, with its executive general manager for people, culture and customer, Dermot O’Neill, calling it “an improved experience for customers”.
“We’re looking forward to being a part of what has already proven to be a very popular initiative with Virgin Australia’s customers,” he said.
“Pets are part of the family so it’s great that travellers will now be able to travel with their four-legged friends.”
The only pets allowed on board Virgin flights are small dogs or cats in approved carriers, at an extra charge of $149. The combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 8kg, and they must be stowed under the seats in front at 18A, 18F, 20A, and 20F.
Carriers must be soft-sided and leak-proof, and pets will not be allowed out during the flight. Owners should also make use of external animal relief areas before entering the airport.
Service animals will continue to be allowed on flights as normal, and guests may still arrange to have pets transported in the hold as cargo.
Virgin’s main rivals, Qantas and Jetstar, do not plan to follow suit and allow pets at this stage.
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