Get your pawsports ready! Virgin Australia has just announced that next month, travellers can finally take their pets in the plane cabin on flights out of Melbourne. Pet parents have been waiting 18 months since the airline first revealed its plans to become the first Australian airline to offer onboard pet-friendly flights — and now it’s all systems go! Trial flights will launch on Thursday, October 16, from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, with tickets on sale now for $149 per pet.
During the testing phase, Virgin will gather customer feedback before rolling out the service across its broader domestic network in 2026. Virgin Australia group chief executive officer, Dave Emerson, said, “With almost 70 per cent of households owning a pet, we expect the service to be embraced by pet lovers all around the country. Beyond convenience for pet owners, the service is also set to boost the pet-friendly travel sector, including hotels and tourism operators.”
So, what pets are welcome onboard? Small dogs and cats can fly in-cabin on Melbourne to Sunshine Coast flights, while only small dogs are permitted on Melbourne to Gold Coast routes. All pets must weigh under eight kilograms, including their carrier, and pets with certain health conditions – such as those that are pregnant, recovering from surgery or injury, between eight and 12 weeks old, more than 12 years old, or of a brachycephalic (short, flat-faced) breed – require a vet-issued certificate confirming they’re fit to fly.
Only four furry passengers are allowed per flight, with pet parents placed in window seats in two designated rows — 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F. Pets must travel in an approved soft-sided, leak-proof carrier with an absorbent mat placed inside to keep the journey mess-free. The carrier can’t exceed 44 centimetres (L) x 26 centimetres (W) x 28 centimetres (H), and must stay stowed under the seat in front of the owner for the entire flight – no sneaky paws or whiskers roaming the cabin at any time.
Those with allergies can breathe easy – Virgin Australia planes are fitted with advanced air filtration systems that refresh cabin air 20 to 30 times per hour with sterile air, removing 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander. That means most travellers can comfortably sit just a few rows away from the pet-friendly rows without experiencing allergic reactions. Plus, guests with allergies can also pick alternative seats in the same cabin class at no extra cost.
You can find out more about the check-in, security and boarding process for Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin service here. Or just jump straight to it and book a Queensland getaway with your four-legged friend!
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