Virgin Australia has confirmed its plan to allow small pets in the cabin is on track to launch by the end of 2025, marking a first for Australian commercial aviation.
The airline received regulatory approval from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) to amend some food safety rules that previously classified aircraft as restaurants, thereby prohibiting animals onboard.
CEO Dave Emerson cited this exemption as a key milestone, enabling pets like cats and dogs to travel on airline-approved carriers stowed under the seat on select domestic routes.
Under the new policy, pets must weigh no more than 8kg (including a carrier), remain contained at all times, and be restricted to designated rows separate from general seating.
While demand is reportedly strong, Virgin has not confirmed whether passengers can opt out of sitting near animals.
Importantly, final approval for pet carriage on any flight rests with the pilot in command, as per Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules. Pilots retain discretion to deny animals onboard if safety or operational integrity is at risk.
Virgin’s move aligns with practices in North America and Europe, where carriers like Delta and United allow small pets in cabins for a fee.
In Australia, leisure travel with pets has historically been limited to cargo hold transport, with Qantas and Jetstar maintaining restrictions.
Virgin’s rollout will begin with high-traffic routes such as Sydney–Melbourne, and is expected to expand based on customer feedback and operational feasibility.
