Virgin Australia is pushing ahead with plans to expand its Pets in Cabin program across most of the country after Thursday’s latest route launch – but there’s one big problem for Australia’s dog owners: most pets still won’t qualify to fly.
The airline has added Cairns-Melbourne as the second expansion of the pet-friendly scheme since it launched in October last year, allowing cats and dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners for an added fee of $150.
But despite Virgin’s national ambitions, its rules mean only small pets with a combined pet-and-carrier weight of no more than 8kg can come on-board.
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That means millions of Australian dog owners are effectively locked out.
According to Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets in Australia Survey, there are 7.4 million pet dogs across the country.
More Virgin routes now allow pets in the cabin, yet most Australian dog owners are still locked out by the airline’s 8kg rule.
The nation’s 10 most popular breeds are the Cavoodle, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Groodle, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Miniature Dachshund and Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
Yet of those top 10 breeds, only the Miniature Dachshund and a Toy Cavoodle would generally fit within Virgin’s 8kg limit.
For many Australians dreaming of taking the family pet on holiday, that’s a serious catch.
Still, the program has proved hugely popular since launching, with more than 2000 cats and dogs already travelling on eligible flights between Melbourne, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Cats and dogs under 8kg can travel in the cabin with their owners for an added fee of $150.
On Thursday, Virgin launched its first pet-friendly flight between Cairns and Melbourne, with Maddie Gavin and her five-month-old dachshund Bailey the first passengers to take off on flight VA1290.
“I’m just really excited that I don’t have to look for a pet owner,” she told 7NEWS.
“He can come with me.
“So, for a week, it can be up to $1000 for Bailey to be sat, so to be able to bring him is gonna be a big saving for us.”
There are 7.4 million pet dogs in Australia, according to Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets in Australia Survey, but only two of the nation’s 10 most popular dog breeds meet Virgin’s weight requirements.
Virgin Australia chief customer officer Andrew Cleary said the latest expansion would give more Australians the chance to holiday with their pets while boosting tourism in far north Queensland.
“It is also great news for Cairns locals and tourism businesses, giving more pet-owning visitors the opportunity to stay, dine and explore locally, helping support accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions and tourism operators across the region,” he said.
“We know pets are part of the family, so for many Australians, being able to bring them along when they travel is really important.
“We know people are also thinking carefully about how they spend their holiday budget, and bringing your pet along means the whole family can enjoy the getaway together, without having to organise separate care at home.
“With Pets in Cabin flights now available on flights between Melbourne, Adelaide, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Cairns, we’re giving more customers the choice to travel with their pets as they plan their next getaway.”
Pets must be stored in a carrier for the duration of a flight.
Virgin says the service will eventually be rolled out across most of its network, but for now the fine print means the vast majority of dogs remain grounded unless they are recognised service animals.
Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services are now available to book as follows:
Departing Melbourne:
Melbourne > Adelaide
Melbourne > Gold Coast
Melbourne > Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
Melbourne > Cairns
Departing Adelaide:
Adelaide > Melbourne
Adelaide > Gold Coast
Departing Gold Coast:
Gold Coast > Adelaide
Gold Coast > Melbourne
Departing Sunshine Coast:
Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) > Melbourne
Departing Cairns:
Cairns > Melbourne