Virgin Australia is expanding its pet-friendly flight network to Adelaide, allowing cats and dogs to travel in the cabin on eligible services from later this month. The airline's first Pets in Cabin flight from Adelaide will depart for Melbourne on June 23, with bookings now open.
Initially, the service will operate between Adelaide and Melbourne, and Adelaide and the Gold Coast, in both directions. The Pets in Cabin service was first launched for select Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast routes in October last year.
Virgin Australia chief marketing and customer operations officer Libby Minogue said demand for the service had been strong since its launch in October 2025. “We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the Pets in Cabin service, with almost 1,500 pets travelling on Virgin Australia flights since the program launched in October,” Ms Minogue said.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate. We’re thankful for the support of Adelaide Airport and our airport partners around the country as we continue expanding the network and making the service available to more guests and their pets.”
Ms Minogue said Virgin Australia wanted to make Pets in Cabin a standard offering on eligible flights from next year, subject to final approvals. The inaugural Adelaide service, VA218, is scheduled to depart for Melbourne at 11.50am on June 23, with passengers and their pets to receive a special send-off at the departure gate.
Adelaide Airport executive Dermot O'Neill welcomed the move, as more travellers would now be able to fly with their pets. “We’re looking forward to being a part of what has already proven to be a very popular initiative with Virgin Australia’s customers,” Mr O'Neill said. “Pets are part of the family so it’s great that travellers will now be able to travel with their four-legged friends.”
Virgin Australia has also extended booking windows across most of its Pets in Cabin network until September 30, 2026. Flights between Adelaide and Melbourne will be available to book until January 31, 2027, giving pet owners additional travel options over the Christmas and summer holiday period.
