Virgin Australia has expanded its popular Pets in Cabin service to Adelaide, giving more travellers the opportunity to fly with their cats and dogs on selected domestic routes. The move marks the latest step in the airline’s push to make air travel more flexible for Australian pet owners, following strong customer demand since the program was first introduced last year.
The first Adelaide pet-friendly flight, VA218, is scheduled to depart on June 23. Under the expansion, passengers can now travel with eligible pets between Adelaide and Melbourne and between Adelaide and the Gold Coast in both directions.
Virgin Australia launched the Pets in Cabin initiative in October 2025, becoming the first major Australian airline to allow pets to travel inside the aircraft cabin on selected routes. Since then, nearly 1,500 pets have taken to the skies under the program, highlighting growing demand from travellers who prefer not to leave their four-legged companions behind.
Rules Passengers Need to Know Before Booking
The service is limited to small cats and dogs weighing less than 8kg, including their carrier. To ensure comfort and safety for all passengers, only four pets are permitted on each flight.
Pets must travel inside an approved carrier for the entire journey. Virgin Australia requires carriers to be soft-sided, leakproof and able to fit beneath the seat. The maximum dimensions are 44cm in length, 28cm in height and 26cm in width. The airline also requires absorbent mats to be placed inside the carrier before travel.
During the flight, pets must remain inside their carrier at all times and be stored under the passenger’s feet in designated Pets in Cabin seating areas. Customers must comply with all eligibility and behavioural requirements before an animal is approved for travel.
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer Libby Minogue said customer response to the service had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate,” she said while announcing the Adelaide expansion.
Minogue added that the airline remains focused on improving travel options and plans to expand the Pets in Cabin network further, subject to airport approvals.
Cost, Booking Process and Future Expansion
The fee to add a pet to an eligible flight is A$149 per animal. Unlike standard flight bookings, customers must contact the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 to reserve a place for their pet, as the service is not currently available through the airline’s online booking platform.
For passengers concerned about allergies, Virgin Australia says its aircraft are equipped with air filtration systems designed to remove 99% of airborne particles, including pet dander.
The airline confirmed that travellers will be able to book the pet-friendly service between Melbourne and Adelaide until January 31, 2027. Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager of People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive development for holidaymakers who want to keep their pets close while travelling.
The expansion reflects a broader shift across the travel industry as pet-friendly services become increasingly important to consumers. Growing international travel demand has also brought greater attention to changing regulations, including new EU pet travel rules that affect how owners travel with their animals across borders.
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Travellers planning to use the service should review all eligibility requirements before booking. Full details, route availability and pet travel conditions can be found through Virgin Australia’s official Pets in Cabin information page.
With Adelaide now joining the network and further expansion planned, Virgin Australia is positioning pet-friendly travel as a long-term part of its domestic offering, giving more Australians the option to fly alongside their beloved pets.
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