There’s truly nothing like escaping from it all, but that doesn’t imply we wish to leave everything behind. For pet owners, there’s nothing better than having our furry friends with us while we enjoy a getaway.
Traveling with our pets is about to become simpler, as a significant commercial airline has revealed plans to allow customers to bring their pets on board. Virgin Airlines is working on this initiative, and it could start within the next year.
If Virgin Airlines succeeds in this initiative, they will become the first airline in Australia to allow pets in the cabin during flights. This information was shared in a press release titled ‘Cats out the Bag.’
Their goal is to be the pioneering airline in the nation to offer flights with pets on board. They came to this conclusion after reviewing a survey conducted in 2021, where 85% of respondents supported the idea of having pets in the cabin.
Additionally, 57% indicated that they would fly more often if they could bring their pets along. This move would align them with several major carriers in North America that already provide this service on domestic flights.
Jayne Hrdlicka, the CEO, expressed: “Our love for animals has always been part of the Virgin Australia DNA, and we are thrilled at the possibility of launching Australia’s first-ever flights with pets in the cabin.
Our guests have overwhelmingly expressed a desire to travel with their pets, and we are excited to embark on this journey to make it happen. This is a common practice in other countries and has been shown to be effective.
Additionally, she mentioned that allowing pets in the cabins will not affect the policy of permitting assistance animals to travel for free. Small dogs and cats that can comfortably fit under the seat in front of the passenger will be allowed.
An approved carrier will be required to ensure that pets do not roam freely during the flight. There will be a fee for those who qualify, although the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.
After the announcement, many people had inquiries about the service. Questions included whether individuals with allergies could be informed if a dog or cat would be seated next to them.
Virgin Atlantic responded: “We prioritize minimizing the impact on guests who are not traveling with pets, and to achieve this, we will spend the upcoming months developing a safe plan with strict guidelines. You can be assured that we are addressing all of these concerns!”
