Are you a pet lover who hates leaving your furry friend behind when you travel? Well, we have some exciting news for you! Virgin Airlines is planning to introduce a pet-friendly policy that would allow dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with their owners. If everything goes according to plan, Virgin Airlines will be the first airline in Australia to offer this service.
The decision to allow pets in the cabin comes after a survey conducted in 2021 revealed that 85% of respondents were in favor of the idea. Furthermore, 57% of those surveyed expressed their willingness to fly more frequently if they could bring their pets along.
“Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA,” says Jayne Hrdlicka, the CEO of Virgin Airlines. “We are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights. It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well.”
To ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers, there will be some guidelines in place. Only small dogs and cats that can fit into a space under the seat in front of the passenger will be allowed. Additionally, an approved carrier will be used to keep the pets contained during the flight.
One concern that some passengers raised was the possibility of sitting next to a pet if they have allergies. Virgin Airlines reassured passengers that they are taking this into consideration. They are working on designing a safe proposition with strict rules to minimize any impact on passengers who are not traveling with pets.
While there will be a fee for passengers who wish to bring their pets on board, the exact cost has not been disclosed yet. However, this fee will not apply to passengers with assistance animals.
So, if you’ve been dreaming of traveling with your furry companion, your dreams might soon become a reality. Keep an eye out for updates from Virgin Airlines as they work towards implementing this pet-friendly policy. Happy travels with your fluffy friends!
