Virgin Australia has today announced that its first Pets in Cabin flight departing Adelaide will take off on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with services now available to book.

The expansion to Adelaide, first announced in February 2026, marks the latest growth of Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, following strong customer demand for the Australian airline-first service.

Since launching in October 2025, almost 1,500 pets have taken to the skies, giving Australians more flexibility, choice and value when travelling with their four-legged family members.

Virgin Australia is working closely with airport partners to assess further expansion opportunities, with additional Pets in Cabin destinations expected to be announced in the coming months.

The inaugural flight from Adelaide, VA218, will depart for Melbourne at 11:50am on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with guests and their pets set to enjoy a special send-off at the departure gate.

How to book Pets in Cabin Adelaide services

To book a Pets in Cabin service departing Adelaide, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89. Guests will need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions to proceed with the booking.

Pets in Cabin network*

Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services are now available to book as follows:

• Adelaide > Melbourne
• Melbourne > Adelaide
• Adelaide > Gold Coast
• Gold Coast > Adelaide
• Melbourne > Gold Coast
• Gold Coast > Melbourne
• Melbourne > Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
• Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) > Melbourne

Booking dates extended

Virgin Australia has also extended the travel dates for majority of its Pets in Cabin services through to 30 September 2026*, with services between Adelaide and Melbourne (both directions) available to book until 31 January 2027. The extended travel dates for Adelaide-Melbourne services will give pet owners more opportunity to travel with their pets over the Christmas and summer holiday season.

Subject to final airport approvals, the airline intends to make Pets in Cabin services a standard offering on eligible services from next year.

Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said the expansion marks another milestone in the airline’s commitment to innovative, customer-led travel experiences.

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.

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.

We’re laser focused on improving the travel experience and giving customers more choice, value and flexibility in how they travel, and our Pets in Cabin services are a testament of that.

Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager, People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill, said the airport was excited to join Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, offering an improved experience for customers.

“We’re looking forward to being a part of what has already proven to be a very popular initiative with Virgin Australia’s customers. Pets are part of the family so it’s great that travellers will now be able to travel with their four-legged friends,” said Mr O’Neill.

First introduced in October 2025, the Pets in Cabin service has reshaped Australia’s domestic aviation landscape, creating new economic opportunities across tourism and pet travel, while expanding travel options for Australians and their small four-legged companions.

The expansion of the Pets in Cabin network to Adelaide reflects Virgin Australia’s continued focus on delivering customer-led innovation. In recent years, the airline has introduced a range of industry-leading initiatives, including baggage tracking, rewards for guests who sit in a middle seat, an Australian-first all-in-one flight search tool, enhanced mobile app functionality, and a new airport check-in experience that reduces check-in times by up to 50 per cent^# at participating airports.

More information on Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services is available here.

Important information on the Pets in Cabin service:

• Pet type: Small dogs or cats only.
• Pet limit: A limit of four (4) pets weighing under 8kgs (combined with the carrier) are permitted on each eligible flight.
• Carrier requirements: Pets must travel in an approved soft-sided leak-proof carrier measuring no more than 44 centimetres (L) x 26 centimetres (W) x 28 centimetres (H). The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kilograms. Absorbent mats must be placed inside the carrier when travelling. Suitable carriers are available for purchase from leading pet supply retailers.
• Pet containment: Pets must be secured in a pet carrier which must be stowed under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight. Pets are not permitted outside of the carrier at any time in the airport, or onboard the aircraft. More information here.
• Seating allocation: Guests travelling with pets will be seated in window seats in two designated rows only (seats 18A and 18F and 20A and 20F). Pets will not be permitted to be stowed under any other seat on the aircraft. Refer attached diagram.
• Vaccination: Pets must be up to date with vaccinations prior to travel.
• Health and safety: Pets with existing health conditions, including those that are pregnant, are recovering from surgery or injury, are between 8-12 weeks of age or are over 12 years of age must have a veterinary-issued certificate confirming the pet is healthy to travel. All pets that are brachycephalic breed must arrive with a veterinary-issued ‘Brachycephalic Fit-To-Fly assessment form’, Pets under eight (8) weeks old are unable to travel.
• Allergy-safe seating: Virgin Australia aircraft are fitted with advanced air filtration systems removing 99 per cent of airborne particles including pet dander, providing peace of mind for guests with allergies, even when seated near pets. Additionally, guests with allergies can choose alternative seating in the same cabin class, free of charge. More information on health onboard here and air filtration here.
• Lounge access: In accordance with Australian food standards regulations, pets are not permitted in any food and beverage service areas, including Virgin Australia Lounges.
• Booking the service: To book a Pets in Cabin service, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Gold Coast routes remain under a trial basis and available to book for travel until 30 September 2026, excluding services between Adelaide and Melbourne which are available to book for travel until 31 January 2027. Further announcements on these routes will be made in due course.

Virgin Australia may vary its published Pets in Cabin fees at any time. The applicable Pets in Cabin fee will be the price published to you at the time you purchase the service. Prices are per Pet in Cabin per sector (flight) and are additional to your own fare. Prices are in applicable booking currency, being the country of origin specified in your booking purchase.

^#Based on analysis of historical transaction time data compared with future state performance observed during a one-week live trial at Mackay Airport where the upgrades were deployed. The trial incorporated transaction timing analysis, user testing and behavioural observations across a sample of travellers, indicating check-in times of up to 50% faster.

All images credited to Virgin Australia