Virgin Australia reveals game-changing pet policy
- Replies 23
In a groundbreaking announcement that could reshape domestic air travel, Virgin Australia has unveiled plans to allow small pets to accompany their owners in the cabin on select flights.
This marks a significant departure from the standard industry norm where pets, regardless of size, are usually transported in the cargo hold.
Former Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka shared the news with eager pet owners on March 7, adding that this would be a first for the airline industry in Australia.
Subject to regulatory approval, the launch of pet flights on certain domestic routes is expected to transpire within the coming year.
Picture this: there will be exclusive rows dedicated to pet owners travelling with their furry companions. Dogs or cats, large or small, no need to part ways before boarding.
The only thing to bear in mind is that pets must be small enough to fit comfortably in a pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner.
For the safety and comfort of all the passengers, pets will not be allowed to wander around freely or sit on their owner's laps during the entirety of the flight.
'Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us that they wish to travel with their pets, and now, we're on the pathway to making it a reality,' Hrdlicka shared.
'This is a common practice overseas and has proved to work quite well,’ she added.
Considering that nearly 70 per cent of Australian households own pets, this change could have a huge impact on a lot of travellers.
‘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,’ the former CEO said.
‘It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia,’ Hrdlicka continued.
It should be stressed, however, that the current arrangements for approved service animals will remain unchanged.
And for those passengers travelling with larger pets, they can still utilise the existing option of having their pet transported as cargo at an additional cost.
Many individuals have shown their enthusiasm regarding the recent announcement on social media.
One traveller posted: ‘This is such great news! Thanks for making travel with pets easier–can't wait to fly Virgin with our puppy in the near future!’
‘Finally! We’re so far behind the rest of the world in terms of animal travel,’ another wrote.
While some may welcome the news, others have raised concerns about the impact of allowing pets in the cabin on other passengers.
Noise disturbance and allergies among passengers are the top concerns.
‘That’s me done, Qantas my only option in this case, unfortunately. I am highly allergic to cats so not a chance I could be on board a flight with one,’ one social media user said.
Another asked: ‘What happens if you have an allergy? How can you find out if you’ll have a dog/cat sitting beside you?’
To which the airline responded: ‘It’s really important to us that there is minimal impact to guests who are not carrying a pet, and for this reason, we will be using the next few months to design a safe proposition with strict rules. Rest assured; all of this is being taken care of!’
It is also important to note that airlines need to ensure adequate cleaning and sanitising of cabins between flights, given the higher risk of spills, shedding and incidentals due to pets.
Moreover, findings from the University of Melbourne indicate that a mere 11.1 per cent of Australian seniors are pet owners. This shift may not be received favourably, considering the majority of individuals within this age bracket do not have pets.
Nevertheless, there's no denying that Virgin Australia's announcement is a step towards making air travel more inclusive and pet-friendly in Australia.
If successful, it could pave the way for other airlines to follow suit, truly revolutionising the way we travel with our furry friends.
What are your thoughts on this proposal, members? Share them in the comments below!
This marks a significant departure from the standard industry norm where pets, regardless of size, are usually transported in the cargo hold.
Former Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka shared the news with eager pet owners on March 7, adding that this would be a first for the airline industry in Australia.
Subject to regulatory approval, the launch of pet flights on certain domestic routes is expected to transpire within the coming year.
Virgin Australia announced a game-changing pet policy. Image source: @VirginAustralia/X (Twitter)
Picture this: there will be exclusive rows dedicated to pet owners travelling with their furry companions. Dogs or cats, large or small, no need to part ways before boarding.
The only thing to bear in mind is that pets must be small enough to fit comfortably in a pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner.
For the safety and comfort of all the passengers, pets will not be allowed to wander around freely or sit on their owner's laps during the entirety of the flight.
'Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us that they wish to travel with their pets, and now, we're on the pathway to making it a reality,' Hrdlicka shared.
'This is a common practice overseas and has proved to work quite well,’ she added.
Considering that nearly 70 per cent of Australian households own pets, this change could have a huge impact on a lot of travellers.
‘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,’ the former CEO said.
‘It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia,’ Hrdlicka continued.
It should be stressed, however, that the current arrangements for approved service animals will remain unchanged.
And for those passengers travelling with larger pets, they can still utilise the existing option of having their pet transported as cargo at an additional cost.
Many individuals have shown their enthusiasm regarding the recent announcement on social media.
One traveller posted: ‘This is such great news! Thanks for making travel with pets easier–can't wait to fly Virgin with our puppy in the near future!’
‘Finally! We’re so far behind the rest of the world in terms of animal travel,’ another wrote.
While some may welcome the news, others have raised concerns about the impact of allowing pets in the cabin on other passengers.
Noise disturbance and allergies among passengers are the top concerns.
‘That’s me done, Qantas my only option in this case, unfortunately. I am highly allergic to cats so not a chance I could be on board a flight with one,’ one social media user said.
Another asked: ‘What happens if you have an allergy? How can you find out if you’ll have a dog/cat sitting beside you?’
To which the airline responded: ‘It’s really important to us that there is minimal impact to guests who are not carrying a pet, and for this reason, we will be using the next few months to design a safe proposition with strict rules. Rest assured; all of this is being taken care of!’
It is also important to note that airlines need to ensure adequate cleaning and sanitising of cabins between flights, given the higher risk of spills, shedding and incidentals due to pets.
Moreover, findings from the University of Melbourne indicate that a mere 11.1 per cent of Australian seniors are pet owners. This shift may not be received favourably, considering the majority of individuals within this age bracket do not have pets.
Nevertheless, there's no denying that Virgin Australia's announcement is a step towards making air travel more inclusive and pet-friendly in Australia.
If successful, it could pave the way for other airlines to follow suit, truly revolutionising the way we travel with our furry friends.
.png){kind=icon}
