Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[oz_mark]

Will VA install an additional indicator sign that complements the no smoking/seatbelt sign so passengers can know when they can let the animals out of the cages? Or do they have to be in the cage for the whole flight?

They have to stay in the carrier for the whole flight.

Some of the parameters that have already been stated by Virgin

• The service will be limited to small cats and dogs on specific domestic routes;
• Pets will be restricted to a limited number of designated rows and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps;
• Pets must also be carried in a Virgin Australia approved pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight.
• Virgin Australia will charge a fee for guests who are eligible to bring their pet onboard.

 

[Gavros333]

I will NOT travel on any airline that allows pets inside the cabin with my family! Dogs can whine and bark and I can not imagine eating a meal on an aircraft just as a dog dumps a load whether it's poo or vomit. The smell would make me vomit. All because some minority pet owners want their pets with them. Isn't that nice!!! The pets are NOT humans. They should NOT be in cabins. Where is the safety issue here. In an emergency these selfish people will be reluctant to leave without their pet. Hand carry must be left so should pets. But these people will clog the isle with the beasts and maybe be arguing with cabin staff. Just imagine yap yap yap yap for a whole flight. Or meowwwww for a whole flight. Cats can poo with fright also. Changes in pressure will set animals off as it does some children. We may as well go completely 3rd world and allow chickens, ducks, goats etc to travel with us as well. What is WRONG with the world now it's NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No pet carrying airline for me. Dogs STINK!

Beasts? Is that what your children are too? It’s true what they say about people that don’t like / have no time for animals. Those are the people I avoid in life

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would argue that is backwards. The question should be, how can the pet owner take steps so that other passengers aren't impacted.

If you're getting to the point of forcing others to take medication just so you can bring a pet (who is not going to enjoy the ride anyway) then I think this should be a hard no. Book them in the hold.

Or perhaps they could install a row of seats in the hold for the pet owners?

What about peanut allergies? And all sorts of other allergies people have?

Why does the person with the allergy need to move, you are giving the pet greater rights than the person. If I have paid for a preferred seat (by cash or status) I should not be disadvantaged because someone brings a cat. The person with the cat should have to go to the back of the bus.

as above…

What about the general pet hair and dander carried on by passengers, even without the presence of a pet?

Airlines often ask all pax to refrain from eating peanuts if someone with a peanut allergy is on board, does that mean we also change that?

no one likes to be disadvantaged or inconvenienced, yet we are all asked to make accommodations for others from time to time when we fly… allergies, people snoring, people flying while obviously sick

 

[Pushka]

Do you have any evidence to support that claim?

VA is partners with united for example, I presume they share more than just how to offer FF miles and benefits?


Apparently in the US you can ring and ask if there is an animal booked in the cabin. Can’t see why that wouldn’t be copied here, particularly if someone concerned about their health.

The timing of which is only relevant if the animal is booked before you do. Can't imagine refunds given later?

 

[DC3]

… What about the general pet hair and dander carried on …

Dander? Loving all of this.

 

[Pushka]

What about peanut allergies? And all sorts of other allergies people have?



as above…

What about the general pet hair and dander carried on by passengers, even without the presence of a pet?

Airlines often ask all pax to refrain from eating peanuts if someone with a peanut allergy is on board, does that mean we also change that?

no one likes to be disadvantaged or inconvenienced, yet we are all asked to make accommodations for others from time to time when we fly… allergies, people snoring, people flying while obviously sick

At my grandsons ELC it is banned to have anything peanut in lunch boxes. I remember SQ stating once that no peanuts were being served onboard as someone had a peanut allergy. But the thing is, the exceptions you refer to are for people.

 

[DC3]

Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia: Just another reason to stick to the other airline

 

[DC3]

What about peanut allergies? And all sorts of other allergies people have?

 

[bam71]

I think I just need to see how it’s going to work, and is it really a big deal. If its under the seat in front then its a cat or a chihuahua sized dog - tiny. Or those who talk about allergies, what about if you have a peanut allergy? You’ll never fly SQ? They have a sate service post departure in J. And with Jane leaving, it’s probably her “thing” she can leave VA with, sort of like Alan’s project sunrise. Happy to wait and see, and hope my mother can bring her chihuahua on board legally as opposed to arguing with her that its actually really not a good idea to have her 13 yr old constantly sleeping pup in her oversized clothing to get through security….

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At my grandsons ELC it is banned to have anything peanut in lunch boxes. I remember SQ stating once that no peanuts were being served onboard as someone had a peanut allergy. But the thing is, the exceptions you refer to are for people.

Agree. But someone wanting to bring their pet is also a ‘person’. Many get great comfort from their pets and this might open up opportunities for them to travel, even for something like visiting family.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The point is that an aeroplane isn’t a sterile bubble that can or must protect everyone inside from a multitude of issues.

Dogs are already carried on board in Australia. Pets can already be carried on board in the US and Europe. Perhaps we need to see the data of medical incidents in the US for an idea of the actual impact of this policy?

 

[Pushka]

The point is that an aeroplane isn’t a sterile bubble that can or must protect everyone inside from a multitude of issues.

Dogs are already carried on board in Australia. Pets can already be carried on board in the US and Europe. Perhaps we need to see the data of medical incidents in the US for an idea of the actual impact of this policy?

And nothing is stopping that person from travelling.

 

[justinbrett]

What about peanut allergies? And all sorts of other allergies people have?

You'd have a point if peanuts had been banned in airline cabins up until this point, and an airline was bringing in a specific policy of permitting peanuts. Although some airlines already do ban peanuts, and Delta will refrain from serving peanuts on your flight if you alert them of your allergy. Of course a lot of major airlines, including Qantas, have eliminated peanuts from their catering.

Point is that the status quo is no pets in the cabin, and the onus is on those who want to introduce the change, to do so without taking away from other passengers.

 

[Matt_01]

My daughter saw the VA post and asked if we could take Mr Peanut to which my wife and I said no. Mr Peanut is a Pom, in general he is very good with people he knows, those he doesn’t know or is unsure of who knows what may happen. Also Poms are not that big and I do not think he would fit in a cage under the seat in front. When we have transported animals in the past I am pretty sure there were requirements for the cage size to be based on the animal size, i.e. they needed to be able to move around and a water container had to be available.

 

[RSVKanga]

Pets will be restricted to a limited number of designated rows and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps;

This point is a bit concerning. A lot of dogs and cats would make constant disruptive noise if they are locked up in a tiny cage at 35,000 feet but would be calm and happy if they were allowed to roam freely under supervision. I'd rather the animals roam freely under supervision, or sit in laps, and not make noise rather them be locked up and be an auditory pain to people wishing to rest or concentrate on work.

 

[Pushka]

This point is a bit concerning. A lot of dogs and cats would make constant disruptive noise if they are locked up in a tiny cage at 35,000 feet but would be calm and happy if they were allowed to roam freely under supervision. I'd rather the animals roam freely under supervision, or sit in laps, and not make noise rather them be locked up and be an auditory pain to people wishing to rest or concentrate on work.

So given the tiny space allocated, the announcement really has no substance unless you have a mouse sized dog or cat.

 

[kyle]

It is a national standard that dogs (in or out of baskets) are not allowed where food is prepared and/or eaten - no if, no buts, except for service dogs. Hopefully Health and Safetyor someone else will pursue Virgin over this

The eaten part excludes outdoors I believe. With the service dogs being allowed everywhere, the national standard is not really about hygiene then.

 

[tdimdad]

I would argue that is backwards. The question should be, how can the pet owner take steps so that other passengers aren't impacted.

If you're getting to the point of forcing others to take medication just so you can bring a pet (who is not going to enjoy the ride anyway) then I think this should be a hard no. Book them in the hold.

Or perhaps they could install a row of seats in the hold for the pet owners?

I was presuming that the pet owners are decent and take care of their pets. Still, an allergic person, when knowing there are (or are likely to be) pets on the flight, might take their meds as a precaution. Similar to me loading my body on Telfast starting two-three days before a trip to Melbourne in summer time.

It'd be great if VA took a leaf out of JL's book and indicated booked pets on their seat map (similar to JL's baby icon). That might help those who'd be OK when sitting at the opposite end of the plane.

Something that the debate seems to leave on the wayside is the comfort or confidence of people. While they might be OK near pets from the physiological viewpoint, they may feel deep-rooted discomfort due to earlier experiences or for whatever reason. If VA implements this well, it can support the happy coexistence of pets and those who'd rather keep distance (again, assuming that the pet owners are decent and follow the guidance and use good common sense).

 

[kyle]

What are you all going to do if all domestic airlines allow pets on board? Back to your old allegiance?

 

[RSVKanga]

Another out-of-the-box alternative would be to modify a few of the 737 overhead lockers with optimal lighting and oxygen supply (with 1-2 dedicated lockers for pets) so that they are a safe and comfortable space for pet cages to go into.