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Virgin Australia has officially expanded its pets-in-cabin network to Adelaide.
The inaugural flight, VA218 to Melbourne, took off from Adelaide just before noon on Tuesday with two Chihuahuas on board alongside its human passenger contingent. Adelaide has now joined Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast as a destination for the new services.
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“Since launching Pets in Cabin services, we’ve welcomed almost 1,500 pets on board and have continued to receive positive feedback from customers across our network,” said Virgin Australia chief marketing and customer operations officer Libby Minogue.
“Importantly, 90 per cent of travellers without pets who have travelled on a Pets in Cabin service reported they were unaware a pet was on board, demonstrating how seamlessly the program has been integrated into the travel experience.
“The introduction of the service in Adelaide is another positive step forward as we continue to provide more Australians with the opportunity to travel alongside their pets.
“By extending Pets in Cabin services to Adelaide, we’re not only providing greater choice and convenience for pet owners, we’re also supporting tourism and local businesses by making South Australia more accessible to a growing segment of travellers who want to holiday with their pets.”
Pets-in-cabin flights can be booked to and from Adelaide until 31 January. According to Adelaide Airport executive general manager, corporate, Alicia Bickmore, the airport is proud to be the first outside the launch network to see the service.
“Pets are cherished members of the family, and this initiative ensures our passengers no longer have to leave their four-legged friends behind,” she said.
“We are supportive of providing customers with greater choice to bring their pets on holidays and look forward to working with Virgin Australia to deliver an enhanced, stress-free travel experience for our customers.”
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 earlier this month that most existing destinations will now see the trial extended to the end of September.
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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