Virgin to allow cats and dogs in plane cabins in Australian first

Virgin Australia is set to allow pets to travel onboard with their owners in an Australian-first.

The service is expected to launch within 12 months, subject to regulatory approval, Virgin Australia Group chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka announced on March 7.

Small cats and dogs would be allowed to travel in an approved pet carrier under the seat in front of their owner on specific domestic routes, in a limited number of designated rows.

"Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets," Ms Hrdlicka said.

"It's something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well."

The airline surveyed its Facebook followers in 2021 with 85 per cent of respondents in favour of pets in cabin flights.

The new service would not affect arrangements for assistance animals or the transport of pets in cargo.

While the service would be a first for Australia, the practice is normal among North American airlines for domestic flights such as United Airlines and Air Canada.