Virgin’s pet friendly flights: Why your pets need insurance
It's official, you can now bring your pets on selected domestic flights with Virgin Australia. But what kind of insurance do you need, travel or pet?
If you're the type to miss your pet when you're away, we've got some good news. Virgin Australia has launched the country's first Pets in Cabin flights.
Launching on October 18 2025, pet owners will now be able travel with their furry friends on select flights between Melbourne, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast at an introductory offer of $149 per flight.
The Pets in Cabins flights will run on a trial basis for the time being before expanding across Virgin Australia's entire domestic network on January 30 2026.
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said Virgin's pet-friendly flights were a project years in the making.
"Our guests have been telling us for years how much they want to travel alongside their pets and now they finally can. It's a model that's proven successful in the US and Europe and we're thrilled to bring it to Australia."
Of course, there are some rules to the paw-some new service:
- Pets must weigh under 8kg (combined with the carrier) to be permitted to fly and stowed under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight.
- Only four pets will also be allowed on board at a time.
- Pets must be up to date with vaccinations.
- Pets with existing health conditions, including those that are pregnant, are recovering from surgery or injury, are over 12 years of age or are brachycephalic breed, must have approval from their vet.
- Pets under 8 weeks old are not eligible to fly.
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Prep your pet: the one thing your pet needs before takeoff
While the news is sure to get tails wagging across the country, pet owners will need to do their due diligence before their four-legged friend takes to the sky.
Finder's personal finance expert, Taylor Blackburn reminded Australians that a standard travel insurance policy won't cut it, even with domestic travel.
"Travel insurance covers you, but it's worth considering pet insurance before you board (no pun intended) to make sure they're covered too."
"Some pet insurance policies will help to pay for medical expenses, or cover legal fees associated with your pet hurting someone or damaging property."
However, it's important to consider the policy's overall value to ensure it's the right move for your pet before signing the dotted line, especially considering coverage for this interstate travel is hard to come by.
Among the 42 providers in the Finder database, 6 openly disclosed they offered coverage: Petcover, PetSecure, Stella Insurance, RSCPA Pet Insurance, Real Pet Insurance and Kogan.
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Get your pet ready for their first getaway by comparing some of the best pet insurance policies in Australia.
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