In the (Virgin) red corner, we have those backing Virgin Australia’s plan to become the first airline in Australia to allow pets (weighing in at under 18 pounds) in cabins. In the blue corner, are those opposed to the plan.
So what exactly have travellers said about the news? We’ve compiled some of the best comments, both for and against, Virgin Australia’s plan to become the most pet-friendly airline Down Under – as submitted on Karryon’s Facebook page.
What those supporting Virgin Australia say:
- They do that in America with no problem. It is a process I am willing to do 2 weeks before I want to fly. I’m excited !!! We have more dogs per capita than Europe and USA.
- Isn’t it time we joined Europe and USA. I think this is a wonderful idea.
- I might have to move to Australia. AWESOME.
- Definitely hoping if it’s successful they are able to extend it to bigger dogs. Much better than to have them travel in cargo
- My Samoyeds identify as under 8 kilos. You beauty!
- WHERE WE GOING ARI???
- Coco is coming for a visit.
- Purly is coming to WA.
- Some dogs are cleaner and more well behaved than some humans.
What those opposing Virgin Australia say:
- I say let the Northern Hemisphere do what they want. We are not obligated to follow them.
- Time to find another airline… I can only imagine the chaos in an emergency evacuation as all the little darlings desperately try and grab their little fur babies as the pet cages rip open the escape slides on the way down. I’m sure absolutely nothing could go wrong at all.
- No I don’t think we should I’m allergic to cats I love our dogs but I don’t think they should be with us, if they want to go to the toilet what are we supposed to do?
- Can’t say I will be flying Virgin now as I’m allergic to dogs.
- Great. Dog smell and farts at 35,000 feet.
- Yapping dogs the whole flight & then they $h!+.
- First screaming kids now barking K9’s and hissing Moggies…..No thanks!
- Won’t be flying Virgin anymore.
- Imagine walking down the aisle to find your seat and getting attacked by the dog sitting next to you.
- [REPLY] you mean the dog that is in a carrier and not allowed out?
- I understand people love their pets and want them with them… but for people with allergies, or phobias… this will make travelling very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous for those people.
- [REPLY] Any pets must be in a carrier, in designated rows. Minimal risk really, and much safer for the pet to travel in the cabin, not in the cargo hold.
- [Poster] I understand that they’ll be contained, and that it’s better for the pets in the cabin and all that. However, I know someone who is phobic of dogs – the sight, the smell, the sound – especially if they bark, it sends them into a panic attack. And as much 99.9999% will do the right thing, there’ll be one that believes their pup is an exception – even if they are consistently told to comply.
- [REPLY] One or 2 pets is hardly going to be the same level of noise. And have you heard screaming children on a flight? Many other countries already do this, it is something we are behind the times on. You can’t stop progress because of a tiny percentage of the population.
- [REPLY] Have you ever been next to a dog on a plane? I’ve never had any bark.
- [REPLY] I’m allergic to stinky, farty, snoring fat slobs… can they get banned too??
Other comments, neither fully for nor against the move, ranged from concerns about fairness towards all pets to the impact on carry-on allowances.
- Surely they can’t discriminate against “larger” dogs and cats!
- Discrimination – like saying you can’t fly if you’re overweight. A dog must weigh no more than 8 kilos including the carrier… geez man! Are they talking about taking your pet hamster??? Boooo
- You can put all dogs, cats and children on the one flight and adults only on another, then I’m all for it!
- [REPLY] That would be the best solution… Let them run down the aisle… They should have pet dedicated flights
- They do it in the US (no judgement!!) and I met a lady with her dog in YVR. she n the dog fly to and from New York regularly and the dog is really used to it and has all its own papers to travel. The airport even has doggy restrooms with fake grass to wee on and some toys. I’m not a fan personally but interesting to see if it works here. I’d pick another flight.
- Are they counting your dog as carry on? Or do you still get your carry on allowance?
- We heard this earlier today. Don’t mind having dogs on a plane but definitely not cats as I will be sneezing.
- [REPLY] Well you can’t have it both ways. Take an antihistamine tablet and live with it.
But the best comment would have to be… “Always thought “Rex” would have been the first carrier to allow dogs.”
Interestingly, support for the move on Karryon’s Facebook page far outweighs “Dislikes”. The same goes for Virgin Australia’s Facebook post about the news, where the airline also garnered more than 3.4K comments.
Until Virgin Australia‘s new plan is approved, the airline will continue to carry pets as cargo through approved pet carrier services.
Experts’ views
Meanwhile, two experts from RMIT University in Melbourne have expressed their views on Virgin Australia’s plan.
Animal companionship researcher and Associate Lecturer in Social Work and Human Services Melissa Laing said, “There are reciprocal physical, psychological and social effects of the human-animal bond, and continuing to experience that bond while on holidays could increase the therapeutic benefits of travel”.
“Giving pets access to traditionally ‘human-only’ spaces like planes means Australia will be catching up with the rest of the world, where pets have greater visibility,” she added.
“However, there are potential downsides to this change. While companion animals are widely loved, many people have allergies or fears or other cultural understandings and experiences of dogs and cats, meaning the presence of pets on flights could be a source of stress.
“For people who are anxiously attached to their pets, or easily worried about them, the stress of flying could be exacerbated.”
Senior Lecturer in Aviation at RMIT Dr Iryna Heiets said VA’s move could make a lot of commercial sense.
“In 2023, there was a total of 5.21 million passengers carried on Australian domestic commercial aviation, and Virgin Australia held a 31.2 per cent market share in the domestic market,” she remarked.
“They are looking at another statistic: approximately one-third of Australian households have dogs (48 per cent) or cats (33 per cent).
“These changes may be a competitive advantage for Virgin Australia, identifying it as a ‘pet-friendly’ airline that aims to make the journey convenient and stress-free for both passengers and their furry friends.
“This decision will also generate revenue for the airline through the fee that applies for this service.
“We’ve seen through these international competitors that it works. Virgin Australia may be the first in Australia, but I would expect more to follow.”
