Can You Fly with Pets on Virgin Australia?

Yes, Virgin Australia allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin on domestic flights. Your pet travels with you in the main cabin rather than in cargo, which is the safest and most comfortable option for most travelers and their animals.

However, there are specific rules you must follow. Virgin Australia limits cabin pets to small animals that fit in approved carriers under the seat in front of you. If your pet is larger or you're traveling on certain routes, you may need to explore checked baggage or cargo options — though we're still verifying Virgin Australia's specific policies for those methods.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: AUD $50 one-way (route-dependent, may vary by aircraft type)
  • Maximum carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm long × 27.9 cm wide × 27.9 cm high (~46 × 28 × 28 cm)
  • Maximum combined weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier together)
  • Pets per passenger: Maximum 1 pet carrier per passenger
  • Minimum pet age: 8 weeks old (must be fully weaned)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure

Cabin Travel: What You Need to Know

Cabin travel is the standard option for pets on Virgin Australia domestic flights. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight, avoiding the stress and temperature risks of cargo holds.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must meet these specifications:

  • Soft-sided carrier required: Hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat. Look for collapsible carriers with mesh panels for ventilation.
  • Exact dimensions: Maximum 45.7 cm (18 inches) long, 27.9 cm (11 inches) wide, and 27.9 cm (11 inches) high. The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you.
  • Combined weight limit: Your pet plus the carrier cannot exceed 8 kg total. Weigh them together at home before booking.
  • Ventilation: The carrier must have mesh sides or adequate ventilation openings so your pet can breathe comfortably.
  • Absorbent liner: Place an absorbent mat or pad inside the carrier to manage any accidents during the flight.

Pro tip: Measure your carrier carefully and test it under a standard airplane seat at home. Airlines are strict about the under-seat requirement — if it doesn't fit, you won't be allowed to board.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs & Cats

Virgin Australia, like most airlines, restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to serious respiratory risks during flight. These breeds struggle to breathe normally and are at high risk of heat stress and oxygen deprivation in the cabin.

Restricted dog breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs (all types), Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Brussels Griffons, and others.

Restricted cat breeds: Persian cats are the primary restricted breed.

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, contact Virgin Australia directly before booking. Some airlines make rare exceptions with veterinary documentation, but this is not guaranteed. For more information, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Health & Documentation Requirements

You cannot board without proper documentation. This is non-negotiable and will be checked at the airport.

Health Certificate

You must obtain a veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian:

  • Timing: The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date. Get it as close to your travel date as possible.
  • What it covers: The vet confirms your pet is healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and fit to fly.
  • Cost: Expect to pay AUD $50–150 depending on your vet.
  • Don't skip this: Even if Virgin Australia's website doesn't explicitly mention it, the certificate will be checked at the airport. Missing it means you won't fly.

Schedule your vet appointment at least 2 weeks before departure to ensure availability and to have time to address any health issues.

Other Documentation

We're still verifying whether Virgin Australia requires government-endorsed certificates or import permits for domestic flights. Contact the airline directly to confirm what documents you need for your specific route.

Age & Health Restrictions

  • Minimum age: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • Pregnant animals: Virgin Australia does not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, do not attempt to book — contact the airline to discuss alternatives.
  • No sedation allowed: IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet before flying, even if you think it will help them stay calm. Speak to your vet about natural calming strategies instead.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance booking is required. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to board. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and comfort reasons.

  • Book early: Contact Virgin Australia at least 24–48 hours before your flight to arrange your pet's booking. We're still verifying the exact advance booking window — call to confirm.
  • One pet per passenger: You can bring a maximum of 1 pet carrier per passenger.
  • Fee: AUD $50 one-way per pet (route-dependent, may vary by aircraft type).
  • How to book: We're still verifying the exact booking method. Contact Virgin Australia directly via phone or their website to add your pet to your reservation.

Temperature Restrictions

We're still verifying Virgin Australia's specific heat and cold embargo policies for cabin travel. However, industry standards typically restrict pet travel when:

  • Heat embargo: Tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: Temperatures drop below -6.7°C (20°F)

If you're traveling during extreme weather, contact Virgin Australia to confirm whether your flight will accept pets. Summer flights to hot destinations and winter flights to cold regions may be refused.

Checked Baggage & Cargo Options

For larger pets that don't fit cabin requirements, Virgin Australia may offer checked baggage or cargo transport. However, we're still verifying the specific policies, pricing, and requirements for these options.

If you need to check your pet in the hold, expect stricter requirements:

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate required (not soft-sided)
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old (older than cabin travel)
  • Same health certificate requirement (10 days validity)
  • Temperature embargoes apply (29.4°C heat limit, -6.7°C cold limit)

Contact Virgin Australia directly for pricing and availability on checked baggage or cargo pet transport.

Assistance Animals

Service dogs and other assistance animals follow a separate policy from regular pets. Virgin Australia requires documentation to verify that your animal is a legitimate assistance animal.

We're still verifying the specific requirements for assistance animals on Virgin Australia. Contact the airline directly with your animal's credentials and documentation.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

  • □ Check your pet's breed: Confirm your pet is not a restricted brachycephalic breed. If it is, contact Virgin Australia before booking.
  • □ Verify your pet's age: Ensure your pet is at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • □ Get a health certificate: Schedule a vet appointment 2 weeks before departure. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your flight.
  • □ Measure and test your carrier: Confirm your soft-sided carrier meets dimensions (45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm) and fits under a seat. Weigh your pet + carrier together — must not exceed 8 kg.
  • □ Add absorbent liner: Place a mat or pad inside the carrier to manage accidents.
  • □ Book your pet in advance: Contact Virgin Australia at least 24–48 hours before departure to pre-book your pet. Confirm the exact booking method and any additional requirements.
  • □ Check weather embargoes: If traveling during extreme heat or cold, confirm with Virgin Australia that your flight will accept pets.
  • □ Prepare your pet: Take your pet on short car rides to acclimate them to travel. Do not sedate them.
  • □ Arrive early: Plan to arrive at the airport extra early on travel day to allow time for pet check-in procedures.

International Travel & Other Routes

The policies outlined above apply to domestic Virgin Australia flights only. International routes and flights to specific countries may have different rules, import requirements, and quarantine regulations.

If you're traveling internationally, research the destination country's pet import rules well in advance. Many countries require additional permits, extended health certificates, microchipping, and quarantine periods. See our country-specific guides for more information.

Need More Help?

This guide covers Virgin Australia's verified pet policies, but airline rules can change and specific routes may have unique requirements. Always confirm directly with Virgin Australia before booking:

  • Exact booking procedures and advance notice required
  • Specific carrier dimensions and weight limits for your aircraft type
  • Checked baggage and cargo pet options and pricing
  • Temperature embargo dates for your specific route
  • Any additional documentation required for your destination

Contact Virgin Australia: Visit their website or call their customer service line to speak with a pet travel specialist.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate every step of flying with your pet.

Data last verified: April 11, 2026. This guide is based on auto-verified information extracted from official Virgin Australia sources. Policies may change — always confirm directly with the airline before booking. For more detailed guidance, see our pet travel documents checklist and pet travel costs guide.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026