Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy

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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. Does Virgin Atlantic allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Virgin Atlantic? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Virgin Atlantic? All your answers related to Virgin Atlantic 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 (service dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No

What countries does Virgin Atlantic fly to?

Virgin Atlantic [IATA:VS] currently is not offering services to pets to any country except for service dogs.

Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy – In Cabin

Virgin Atlantic is currently not offering services in the cabin for live animals.

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.

If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.

All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.

Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

Virgin Atlantic is currently not offering services as checked baggage for live animals.

Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy – Air Cargo

Virgin Atlantic is currently not offering services as air cargo for live animals.

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 Atlantic airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.

Have a comment or question about transporting a pet with Virgin Atlantic? 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 Atlantic pet policy.

Comments

2 responses to “Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy”

Paula

April 1, 2025

I’m pushing 70. All of my human (species mammal, homosapien that share 99% of genetics with the great apes Just ask Jane Goodall or any scientist if this is true) are DEAD ☠️ My TINY 2.9kg Chihuahua is the ONLY FAMILY I HAVE LEFT. He’s been with me since 8 weeks old and is now around 2. Not only is he tiny and very sensitive but Chihuahuas can suffer from separation anxiety and are VERY susceptible to heat and cold. DOGS ARE NOT LUGGAGE OR CARGO and should NOT BE TREATED AS SUCH!!! Left out on the tarmac in the heat to die from heat stroke or stacked on top of each other in the cargo hold away from their owners. IT ISNT RIGHT. No dog has ever cried as badly as many human babies for HOURS on a flight. No dog has ever gotten drunk, misbehaved or been rude to stewardess on a flight. My dog doesn’t do drugs. Never smoked marijuana, snorted cocane, or done crack. No dog has ever tried to have sex during a flight that I know of. He wouldn’t be rude or obnoxious to a stewardess.
Most dogs are better behaved than most humans. I have 2 airline approved carriers, my dog is house broken, crate trained and trained to go on puppy pads om command. You can’t say that about most humans. I only need to go one way and I’d be willing to take a red eye flight sitting behind a curtain or partition the entire time however, it would be unreasonable to expect my tiny dog to never get a break from his crate especially since he’s potty pad trained. Yes I know about private jet charter and I have already been put on K9 Jets waiting list but I’m a senior on a fixed income and not exactly wealthy. It will cost between $20,000 – $25,000 USD (That’s $40,000 AUD!!) to fly ONE WAY with them and that’s a HUGE CHUNK of my LIFE’S SAVINGS. I’m not a corporate mogal, im a fu*king senior citizen. and I’m NOT Rehomimg or adopting out my dog. Taking him to the already overcrowded pounds to be EUTHANASED “PUT TO SLEEP which is just a nice term for KILLED because some corporation doesn’t want to let me take him with me. Many people give up their pets to a very uncertain future because commercial airlines won’t allow them on long haul flights despite the fact that on my first flight ✈️ to Australia unbeknownced to be there were HORSES being flow in the compartment RIGHT BEHIND ME behind a partition. I didn’t even know they were there until the end of the flight and was allowed to go back to see them. I asked because I ❤️ horses as well as dogs. This was on my first flight to Australia in 1995. Why don’t commercial airlines have separate planes for people that need to travel with their pets as in relocating oversees or simply put in a solid partition as with the horses being transported during my first flight to Australia in 1995? I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want the business since many people are now opting to fly by charter jet so they can have their dogs with them and not have to worry about them being treated like luggage. It makes no sense to me why you would ignore this market? Do you have something against making money money?

Reply
1. Susan
  
  April 2, 2025
  
  Paula – we are not associated with any commercial airline nor do we have any input to corporate decisions they make. We understand your position, but you may want to direct your comments directly to Virgin Atlantic.
  
  Reply