Virgin Australia debuted its inaugural Pets in Cabin service out of Adelaide on 23 June 2026, extending the Australian airline-first program beyond its launch network for the first time.
South Australian pet owners can now travel with small cats and dogs in the cabin on eligible flights, after the inaugural service departed from Adelaide to Melbourne carrying two chihuahuas, Pickle and Jet.
The Adelaide rollout is the first Pets in Cabin service from an airport outside the program’s original launch network, marking the next phase of an expansion the airline says has been driven by customer demand since the service began in October 2025.
Adelaide joins Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in the growing Pets in Cabin network.
The full Pets in Cabin network now spans Adelaide to Melbourne, Adelaide to Gold Coast, Melbourne to Gold Coast and Melbourne to Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore), all bookable in both directions.
The routes remain on a trial basis. Adelaide to Melbourne services are available to book for travel until 31 January 2027 with all other services bookable for travel until 30 September 2026.
Which pets can fly and how it works
The service is open to small dogs and cats only with a limit of four pets per eligible flight. The combined weight of the pet and its carrier must not exceed eight kilograms.
Pets must travel in an approved soft-sided, leak-proof carrier no larger than 44cm long, 26cm wide and 28cm high, stowed under the seat in front of the owner for the full flight. Travellers with pets are seated in window seats in two designated rows.
Vaccinations must be up to date and pets with existing health conditions, brachycephalic breeds and animals at certain ages require a veterinary certificate to fly.
Virgin Australia aircraft are fitted with air filtration systems, which the airline says remove 99 per cent of airborne particles, including pet dander. Allergy-conscious guests can choose alternative seating in the same cabin at no charge.
Why it matters for South Australia
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing & Customer Operations Officer Libby Minogue said the expansion as a tourism opportunity for the state amid positive feedback for the Pets in Cabin service.
“Since launching Pets in Cabin services, we’ve welcomed almost 1,500 pets on board and have continued to receive positive feedback from customers across our network,” she said.
“Importantly, 90 per cent of travellers without pets who have travelled on a Pets in Cabin service reported they were unaware a pet was on board, demonstrating how seamlessly the program has been integrated into the travel experience.
“South Australia is a fantastic destination for travellers with pets with a growing range of pet-friendly accommodation, outdoor experiences and regional tourism offerings that make it easier for Australians to explore the state alongside their furry companions,” she said.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager Corporate Alicia Bickmore welcomed the expansion.
“Pets are cherished members of the family, and this initiative ensures our passengers no longer have to leave their four-legged friends behind. We are supportive of providing customers with greater choice to bring their pets on holidays and look forward to working with Virgin Australia to deliver an enhanced, stress-free travel experience for our customers,” she said.
The pet expansion comes alongside other customer-focused innovations from the carrier, which recently became the first Aussie airline to launch flight search inside ChatGPT.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Adelaide’s addition to the Pets in Cabin network gives advisors a reason to package South Australia for the growing number of clients who won’t holiday without their dog or cat. With pet-friendly accommodation and regional touring already on offer in South Australia, the cabin seat is no longer the missing piece for a full pet-friendly itinerary.
