Pet-friendly flights on Virgin Australia are set to officially take off from Adelaide, marking another expansion in the trial program.
The first Adelaide Pets in Cabin service, first announced in February 2026, will take off on Tuesday, June 23, with services now available to book.
Virgin Australia is expanding its Pet in Cabin service to Adelaide. Supplied/Virgin Australia
The latest expansion of the service across the network follows strong customer demand for the Australian airline-first service, Virgin said.
Since launching in October 2025, almost 1,500 pets have taken to the skies.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate,” Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said.
“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.”
Which routes offer the Pets in Cabin service?
The pet flights first took off in October and are available to book on the following routes:
- Adelaide > Melbourne
- Melbourne > Adelaide
- Adelaide > Gold Coast
- Gold Coast > Adelaide
- Melbourne > Gold Coast
- Gold Coast > Melbourne
- Melbourne > Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
- Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) > Melbourne
Cats were originally only able to fly on the Sunshine Coast route but since January, they have been able to travel on all Virgin Australia pet flights.
The pet flights first took off on a trial basis in October 2025. Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Gold Coast routes remain under a trial basis and available to book for travel until 30 September 2026.
Services between Adelaide and Melbourne are available to book for travel until 31 January 2027.
Virgin Australia said it is “working closely with airport partners to assess further expansion opportunities”. Additional destinations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
How to book Pets in Cabin flights
To book a Pets in Cabin service departing Adelaide, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.
Guests will need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions to proceed with the booking.
Pets need to remain in an approved carrier under the seat in front. Supplied
What is the pet policy on Virgin Airlines?
Virgin Australia will allow small pets like cats and dogs to travel in carriers that can be stowed under the seat, just like hand luggage.
The carrier and the pet must weigh no more than 8kg total. Carriers must meet strict size and ventilation requirements.
Pets must remain in their carriers at all times during the flight – no roaming or sitting in their owners’ laps.
Travellers with pets will be seated in separate rows from general passengers.
Pet owners will preboard the aircraft before sitting in the designated Pets in Cabin seats in either rows 18 and 20 (seats 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F).
There is a limit of four pets weighing under 8kgs (combined with the carrier) permitted on each eligible flight.
Will I know if pets are on my flight?
The trial Pets in Cabin service will be available on Virgin Australia flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast and Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast.
There are designated rows for pets. Supplied
What if I have allergies?
Addressing allergy and hygiene considerations has been an important part of the process.
“Our aircraft are fitted with advanced HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems, which capture more than 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander,” Virgin Australia Group Medical Officer, Dr Kelly Bofkin, said previously.
“Cabin airflow dynamics are such that air circulates from top to bottom and the cabin air is renewed 20-30 times per hour, which greatly reduces the risk of airborne allergen transfer.
“Additionally, the creation of ‘buffer zones’ (two rows behind and two rows in front of the allocated pet rows) ensures that the risk to guests of allergen exposure is significantly reduced.”
Guests with allergies can choose alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge.
Can pets come into the Virgin Australia Lounge?
In accordance with the Australia Food Standards Code, non-assistance animals are prohibited from entering inside food establishments. As Virgin Australia airport lounges serve and prepare food, pets are not permitted access to these areas.
