Virgin Australia wins approval to carry pets on flights
A previous regulatory loophole that classed aeroplanes as restaurants, prohibited food and drink from being served when pet cats and dogs were present in the cabin.
However last month Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) approved Virgin's amendment to allow for pets.
'We assessed the microbiological food safety risks and found that, with appropriate risk management controls in place, the presence of pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins presents a low risk to passengers,' a FSANZ statement read.
Virgin Australia wants to become the country's first airline to operate domestic flights with pets in the cabin from next year. Pic Alex Coppel
'The amendment to the Code gives airlines operating in Australia and serving food in-flight the discretion to allow pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins, provided all relevant food safety requirements are met.'
The service is expected to launch by the end of this year. Two rows will be designated on select flights for flyers travelling with pets.
Pets will be required to fit within a pet carrier which with the pet in it must weigh less than 8 kgs and fit under the plane seat in front.
A Virgin spokesperson said they were 'excited to have reached an important milestone' in the journey to offering a pets in cabin service.
Brisbane food and travel influencer Jacqui Toumbas and Basil, who are waiting eagerly for Virgin Australia to allow pets in the cabin on domestic flights. Picture: Callie Marshall
'With this approval now in place, we are a step closer to welcoming pets on board select Virgin Australia flights, and we look forward to sharing more details with travellers about our trial flights in the coming months.'
In Australia, major carriers have never allowed leisure travel with pets before.
Travellers will need to book the pets trip in advance through Virgin's Guest Contact Centre and animals will need to stay inside their carrier for the duration of the flight.
Despite the amendment the ultimate authority to permit animals on a specific flight remains with the pilot in command.
According to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pilots are accountable for the safety of all on-board and hold wide-ranging authority over passengers and cargo.
The ambiguity in the rules effectively grants captains the discretion to decline pets on a case-by-case basis including the ability to refuse the transport of animals – even certified assistance animals – in exceptional circumstances where safety or flight operations may be compromised.
Read related topics: Virgin Australia
Robert White
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Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories.
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