This time next year, you could be bringing your furry friends onboard specific Virgin Australia domestic flights.

Virgin Australia has announced its plans to become Australia’s first airline to allow pets onboard.

Responding to audience feedback from a 2021 survey where almost 70 per cent of respondents said they would travel with their pet in the cabin, Virgin Australia Group chief executive officer Jayne Hrdlicka said the company’s guests overwhelmingly want to travel with their pets.

“Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights," Hrdlicka said.

There will be some limitations to the service, with only small cats and dogs allowed, and only on specific routes. The pets will also be restricted to a small number of designated rows, they won’t be able to roam freely or sit on their owner’s lap and they must be carried in a Virgin Australia-approved pet carrier, which must be kept under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight.

“Animals being carried onboard Virgin Australia flights will be required to remain in their approved pet carriers at all other times within the terminal," Melbourne Airport chief executive officer Lorie Argus said.

This new pets onboard service will not impact approved assistance animals being able to fly in the cabin of the aircraft at no additional cost. Pets will also still be able to be transported as cargo through approved pet carrier services.

With most major North American airlines offering a pets onboard service, Virgin Australia is taking a huge step in evolving Australian domestic flights.

“It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well," Hrdlicka said.

The service is expected to be implemented within 12 months, subject to regulatory approval.

Will you be utilising Virgin Australia’s pets onboard service? We’d love to hear your thoughts!