Virgin Australia eyes ‘pets on planes’ trial

I hope Virgin will clearly identify those flights which allow pets so people who feel it is not hygenic to travel in a cabin with pets, can choose to avoid those flights. Perhaps when these flights are nearly empty Virgin may decide rethink their policy. I assume that during an emergency where cabin baggage must be left on the plane, what will happen to the pet in the pet carrier? Will it have priority over other passengers during an evacuation?

I know for pet owners this will be welcomed.  We all want to see pets well looked after but at the end of the day what would happen if someone who has an allergy is subjected to this.  Would it be the same where airlines can't guarantee a nut free environment.  I know it's important for pets to be well looked after but I'm not sold on this

All I can say is DON'T DO IT

Many airlines have (quite rightly) suspended or removed peanuts from flights, as the “wants” of some (for a snack) simply don’t outweigh the “needs” of others (for a safe flight without life-threatening allergic reactions).

So, I really hope that Virgin has considered this. It may not be necessary to remove dogs and cats completely from these flights, but at least give those with allergies a fair opportunity to choose their seats in a safe section of the plane. Preferably without paying $$$ for the “convenience” of choosing a seat, and without the embarrassing re-seating when boarded (or worse, reacting!) to an (otherwise) adorable canine or feline.

I just flew LAS LAX on American Airlines on Tuesday - I saw 3 dogs on boarding getting on. Otherwise, you wouldn't have even noticed they were there. I imagine my 5kg cavoodle would be the same. Bring it on. Take her to see her grandparents in VIC!!!

Methinks you might care more than most...

I think it’s a great idea to try this. I hate the thought of my pets travelling in cargo. Too many horror stories. A trial is warranted. It may not work in reality but we need to move with the rest of the world. 😻🐩

scrolled straight to the comments…

I will not be flying on any Virgin flights designated as 🐕‍🦺- friendly.  End of.

I am one of them who vote against having on board pets

I wonder where the pet zone will be placed.

Front cabin, where everyone have to pass through?

Back of the plane where all economy class pax have to pass through to get to the toilet?

Do people have to be made to pay for seats to stay away from the zone? (And you pay for the preferred seating, nowhere guaranteed due to “operational needs”)?

And frankly, if the pet is stuck in a small carrier into the small space under the seat in front, are they better off than in the cargo bay with space for a standard carrier? 

And if the pet “accidentally” gets out, who is responsible for getting it back? (Don’t assume we are dealing with a responsible owner, and not in an inconvenience time like landing phase - does the pilot cancel the approach until they find the pet - anyone have experience from the US?). Granted we are supposed to be dealing with rare events (I am not hopeful) there needs to be predefined processes but I am not sure the Scotts and Vanessas from the marketing department thought it through where they promoted this.

Hopefully they can tag these flights with obvious labels when buying my bundle of rights (don’t assume Qantas is the only airline who think like this) so that unreasonable people like me can exercise my option to avoid.

I don’t have a problem with pets, I have a problem with pets on board, when I already have to worry about other animals on board with overinflated sense of entitlement (again like myself!)

We have been loyal Virgin flyers since it started in Australia and as a Platinum flyer , I say don’t do it, it is a bad idea !

No way, will I be on  a Pet Friendly flight... The other passengers are bad enough, let alone animals....Leave your animals at home where they belong!!!!    Not that I even use them, I have a great airline that I fly with, but Virgin can kiss any of my future business goodbye.

We have been loyal flyers with Virgin since it landed in Australia and as a Platinum member I say absolutely NO WAY it is a bad idea , I like animals but I do not want some animal sitting under my seat ever on a flight, it is bad enough with wriggley pax and it will be worse when they have an animal with them ,No No No! 

The only people responding to the Virgin survey were pet owners obviously

This is a ridiculous concept. Count me out Virgin, back to Qantas for me. 

I don't fly Virgin, but I might start using them now. A good initiative, and kudos to them for taking the lead (excuse the pun)

Big no from me. I’m very allergic allergic to Cats. Not a good move. 

I’m tired of having to share my cafe meal with someone’s panting farting restless furbaby on the table next to me. Mainly because if I say something when they play up, apparently I’m the problem. 

I feel for the awesome cabin crew who will have to deal with this. Owners often react worse than their pets to interactions. I can see it now, dog/cat won’t shut up, it’s worked itself up into a frenzie is pisses all over the place then the owner puts it on their lap. Cabin crew says it has to go back in the cage. The mouthful the owner gives the crew will be camera worthy. 

I also feel for those who clean the planes afterwords. Nothing like cat urine on a carpet. Those cages leak, especially from a nervous pet. Furthermore, what about the allergens, fleas and other stuff left behind?

This is a bad move Virgin, bad move. 

I fly a lot for business and pleasure, almost weekly and I generally have avoided Virgin in the past, but now will definitely not be flying their service. 

Great idea.

Entertaining to see the chorusing of peanuts here!

First the cafes, then Bunnings, now planes - give me strength !!!

Bring it on! Time for AUS to get with the program. No one bats an eyelid in Europe and cats and dogs travel happily and without fuss on all forms of public transport. In the Middle East, where I lived for several years, airline passengers can travel with their falcon in Economy class, providing the bird is hooded, and there are no more than six falcons on any one flight. 

Works very well in Europe.

Maximum of 2 per aircraft and have to meet strict requirements such as under 6kg, fit in a bag under the seat in front etc so most wouldn't even notice they were on the aircraft.

Most Euro carriers permit it and haven't really heard of any issues (unlike in USA where it is not really controlled).

Serious question - lounge access? Enough issues in lounges now with people not using headphones etc. Will there be a pet area in lounges or will pets be banned? Will pets have to stay in their carriers? I have done dozens of flights in US each year for the last 20 years and its out of control there although has improved recently. In theory a great idea (I am not against it per se) but in practice, by my experience, it doesn't work. Many valid comments above against the idea

When I first heard of this "progressive" initiative, I checked the date.  I was sure it must be April 1st.  But no, incredibly, it appears to be serious.  Crazy, crazy, crazy stuff.  I won't be on any Virgin pet flight. Virgin would need to dedicate exclusive, individual aircraft to pet flights so the majority of sensible passengers can avoid them - but I don't see that happening...  This is beyond stupid.  No more words.

You can barely get your feet under the seat in front of you let alone a pet in a rigid carrier! I'd love to see them shw us some actual examples.

And if the pet consumes your luggage allowance why should you have to pay any extra?

Clearly, y’all have not been to Europe. There are dogs and cats even in major department stores. My eyes popped out of their head when I saw a little dog in a up market department store in Paris many years ago. It is still the same. I suppose people with allergies just don’t go shopping?