Flying interstate with a small dog or cat in the cabin, not the hold, has been possible on Virgin Australia since October 2025. Now Adelaide is part of the network too, with the airline’s first Pets in Cabin flight departing the city on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. Here’s what’s actually on offer, what it costs, and what your dog needs to be eligible.
What changed
Virgin Australia’s official announcement confirms the inaugural Adelaide departure is VA218, leaving for Melbourne at 11:50am on 23 June 2026, with a send-off for guests and their pets at the gate. Adelaide’s inclusion was first flagged back in February 2026 and is now live for bookings.
This isn’t a new program, it’s an expansion of one. Pets in Cabin launched nationally in October 2025 as an Australian airline-first, and Virgin says almost 1,500 pets have flown under it since. The airline is continuing to work with airport partners on further expansion, with more destinations expected to be announced in coming months, and says that, subject to final airport approvals, it intends to make the service a standard offering on eligible flights from next year.
Which routes are included
🗺️ The Pets in Cabin Network
- Adelaide ↔ Melbourne
- Adelaide ↔ Gold Coast
- Melbourne ↔ Gold Coast
- Melbourne ↔ Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
All routes are currently on a trial basis. Most are open for booking on flights up to 30 September 2026. Adelaide-Melbourne services (both directions) get a longer runway, open for booking through to 31 January 2027, specifically so pet owners can plan travel over the Christmas and summer holiday period.
How much it costs and how to book
Pets in Cabin isn’t bookable online. It has to go through a phone call, and there’s a set process to follow.
✅ Booking Steps
- Call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89, this service can’t be added through the website.
- Agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions before the booking is confirmed.
- Pay the introductory price of $149 per pet, per flight, on top of your own fare. Virgin Australia notes this price can change.
- Velocity Frequent Flyer members can use 18,600 Velocity Points per eligible sector instead, plus their own fare.
Worth knowing: this is separate from travelling with an approved assistance animal, which continues to fly free in the cabin on all eligible Virgin Australia domestic services under its own terms.
Can your dog actually fly?
Before booking, it’s worth checking your dog actually meets the criteria. Full detail is on Virgin’s own Pets in Cabin information page, but the key limits are:
💡 Eligibility Checklist
- Pet type: small dogs or cats only.
- Weight limit: pet and carrier combined must be under 8kg. Only 4 pets are permitted per eligible flight.
- Carrier: soft-sided, leak-proof, no more than 44cm (L) x 26cm (W) x 28cm (H), with an absorbent mat inside.
- Vaccinations: must be up to date before travel.
- Vet certificate required for pets that are pregnant, recovering from surgery or injury, aged 8 to 12 weeks, or over 12 years old. Pets under 8 weeks can’t travel at all.
- Brachycephalic breeds need a vet-issued Brachycephalic Fit-To-Fly assessment form.
- Seating: owners are seated in fixed window seats only, rows 18 and 20 (18A, 18F, 20A, 20F). Pets aren’t permitted under any other seat.
- Lounges: pets aren’t permitted in Virgin Australia Lounges, in line with food service regulations.
What happens on the day
The process is more involved than a normal check-in, largely because the carrier has to be treated a bit like checked baggage right up until boarding.
✈️ Step-by-Step on Travel Day
- Arrive with your pet already fitted with a harness or collar and leash, in a carrier with cable ties securing all but one opening and an absorbent mat inside. Use the airport’s external animal relief area before you go in.
- At check-in, a Guest Services team member checks the carrier meets requirements, you sign a Pet Acceptance Form, and the carrier gets a “Live Animal” tag plus a green security seal.
- At security, your pet is taken out of the carrier for screening (the empty carrier goes through the scanner like carry-on baggage), then goes back in and gets re-sealed.
- At the gate, pet owners preboard and take their seat in rows 18 or 20, with the carrier stowed under the seat in front, on top of the mat.
- Your pet stays in the carrier for the whole flight, and you stay seated until most other guests have disembarked on arrival.
Quick FAQ
❓ Common Questions
Can I book Pets in Cabin online?
No. It has to go through the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89, and you’ll need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions before it’s confirmed.
Is this the same as travelling with an assistance animal?
No, they’re separate. Approved assistance animals travel free in the cabin on eligible domestic flights under their own terms, regardless of the Pets in Cabin trial.
What if I have allergies and I’m seated near a pet?
Virgin Australia’s aircraft use air filtration that removes 99% of airborne particles, including pet dander. Guests with allergies can also request alternative seating in the same cabin class at no charge.
Will more cities be added?
Virgin Australia says it’s working with airport partners on further expansion and expects to announce additional destinations in the coming months, with an eventual goal of making Pets in Cabin a standard offering on eligible flights, subject to airport approvals.
The practical takeaway
💡 If You’re Planning to Fly With Your Dog
- Book by phone, not online, and check the current booking window for your route before you plan around it.
- Confirm your dog’s weight (with carrier) and check whether a vet certificate applies to your dog’s age or health before you call.
- If your route isn’t covered yet, it’s worth checking back. Virgin Australia has said more destinations are coming.
