When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Virgin Australia? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Virgin Australia? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Virgin Australia? All your answers related to Virgin Australia pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? No (Yes on several domestic flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
What countries does Virgin Australia fly to?
Virgin Australia [IATA:VA] offers service to pets to airports in Australia as well as New Zealand and Vanuatu.
Virgin Australia Pet Policy – In Cabin
Virgin Australia offers in-cabin service to small dogs and cats on several routes within Australia (to/from Melbourne and Gulf and Sunshine Coasts). The program has been extended to June, 2026 due to the overwhelming success of the service.
Pet owners flying with their pets will be pre-boarded in rows rows 18 and 20 (seats 18A, 18F, 20A and 20F). Four pets are permitted per flight.
Pet Carrier Requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic)
Maximum weight of pet and carrier
The weight of pets and their carriers must not exceed 8 kg according to the new policy.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They will not be seated in exit rows. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check on non-domestic flights.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Virgin Australia Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Dogs and cats will be transported as checked baggage on Virgin Australia if they are flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about three hours in length.
Pets flown by Virgin Australia as checked baggage
Dogs and cats accompanied by their owners.
Reservations
Reservations can be made through Virgin Australia’s Guest Center.
Age requirements
All pets flying with Virgin Australia must be at least 8 weeks of age. Pets between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be accompanied by a letter issued by a licensed veterinarian attesting to their health and ability to fly.
Pet crate requirements
- Maximum container dimensions on B737 aircraft: 85 cm (H) x 80 cm (W) x 131 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Embraer 190 aircraft: 80 cm (H) x 70 cm (W) x 110 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Fokker 100 aircraft (excl. Brisbane): 65 cm (H) x 70 cm (W) x 110 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Fokker 70/100 (Brisbane only): 65 cm (H) x 56 cm (W) x 82 cm (L).
Up to three pets can travel in the same container if they are all from the same litter, under 6 months old and under 14 kg each. Up to two four-legged pets of comparable size, who are compatible to travel and under 14 kg each may be transported in the same container.
The weight of the pet and its crate cannot exceed 65 kg. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets cannot be flown in the cargo hold on A320 or Saab 340 aircraft.
Forms Required
All pets flying with Virgin Australia must be at least 8 weeks of age. Pets between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be accompanied by a letter issued by a licensed veterinarian attesting to their health and ability to fly. Additionally, pets over 12 years of age must have a letter confirming health and ability to fly.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Virgin Australia Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Virgin Australia as air cargo
Dogs, cats and all sorts of other animals.
Reservations
Reservations must be made by an approved transport agent. Contact cargo@virginaustralia.com for a list of agents.
Age requirements
All pets flying with Virgin Australia must be at least 8 weeks of age. Pets between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be accompanied by a letter issued by a licensed veterinarian attesting to their health and ability to fly. Additionally, pets over 12 years of age must have a letter confirming health and ability to fly.
Pet crate requirements
- Maximum container dimensions on B737 aircraft: 85 cm (H) x 80 cm (W) x 131 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Embraer 190 aircraft: 80 cm (H) x 70 cm (W) x 110 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Fokker 100 aircraft (excl. Brisbane): 65 cm (H) x 70 cm (W) x 110 cm (L).
- Maximum container dimensions on Fokker 70/100 (Brisbane only): 65 cm (H) x 56 cm (W) x 82 cm (L).
Up to three pets can travel in the same container if they are all from the same litter, under 6 months old and under 14 kg each. Up to two four-legged pets of comparable size, who are compatible to travel and under 14 kg each may be transported in the same container.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets cannot be flown in the cargo hold on A320 or Saab 340 aircraft.
Forms Required
Domesticated Animal Acceptance Declaration and Live Animal Checklist must be presented at check in.
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country if the flight is international. For those pets protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), those permits must also be available.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Virgin Australia cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Virgin Australia Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Virgin Australia requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions. All food and water should be provided.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for your pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Virgin Australia
As of January 24, 2020, Virgin Australia will no longer accept snub-nosed breeds or their mixes in the cargo hold either as checked baggage or air cargo unless the transport is administered through Virgin Atlantic Cargo. The affected breeds are: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Bulldog, Australian Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, Chinese Charpels, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, English Mastiff, French Mastiff, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Pug, Shih-tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, and Valley Bulldog.
Cats which are included in the snub-nosed category are American Burmese, British Shorthair, Burmilla, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Munchkin, Persian, Scottish Fold and Selkirk Rex.
Brachycephalic breeds are not permitted on connecting flights on the same day and will not be accepted for travel on flights departing between 09:00 and 18:00 (local port time). Brachycephalic breeds will only be permitted on flights between the following destinations: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
The following breeds have been classified as aggressive by Virgin Australia and will not be transported: Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (Czechoslovakian Vlcak), Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Kunming Wolfdog (Kunming Dog), Lupo Italiano (Italian Wolfdog), Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario), Pit Bulls (including all sub breeds) and Saarloos Wolfdog (Saarloos Wolfhound).
Additionally, Savannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal cats will not be transported.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Virgin Australia pet policy. For more pet friendly airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about transporting a pet with Virgin Australia? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Virgin Australia pet policy.
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