Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[Pushka]

I have no particular opinion on the subject matter, but more the theme of posts here and in particular the point that euro/US carriers are so far ahead of us and we are playing catch up.

Am I the only one not celebrating the town bus-ification of airlines in Australia? If Ryanair, euro business and no domestic lounges are in our future I think I am good with the present.

How do you define 'ahead of us'. There are so many things that are done in Europe and the US that I do not want to happen in Australia.

 

[33kft]

How do you define 'ahead of us'. There are so many things that are done in Europe and the US that I do not want to happen in Australia.

That is precisely my point, a great many of the respondents to this thread point out that the US and European airlines have similar policies and we are just catching up with them.

I am challenging the idea that it is catching up at all.

If perhaps the airlines we were comparing ourselves to were the more aspirational airlines (mostly in Asia or ME, which happens to also be a bit more contextually appropriate for AU airlines aspiring to catch up) the argument might hold a little more sway.

Pretty sure my post came directly after such an example but I am not pointing out any one post here, I have just read the whole thread and saw it stated multiple times hence my 2c.

 

[MARTINE]

How do you define 'ahead of us'. There are so many things that are done in Europe and the US that I do not want to happen in Australia.

Exactly!!
I fully get when I travel overseas I respect the culture of where I visit and abide by the rules.
We were the first to get rid of public smoking here and on /trains/airports/restaurants - irrespective of what was happening overseas.
I am yet to see an American trend I wish to follow

 

[p--and--t]

Exactly!!
I fully get when I travel overseas I respect the culture of where I visit and abide by the rules.
We were the first to get rid of public smoking here and on /trains/airports/restaurants - irrespective of what was happening overseas.
I am yet to see an American trend I wish to follow

I for one don't wish our airlines to emulate the US airline market or US culture in general. (40,000 people per annum shot to death for one).

Just because someone somewhere else does "something" doesn't automatically mean it's good for us or should be copied.

Each proposed change should be evaluated on its individual merits, the current situation and reasons, and actual need.

 

[encryptededdy]

Off-topic but I could do with the abolishment of change fees on Main Cabin fares

I am yet to see an American trend I wish to follow

 

[Pushka]

I for one don't wish our airlines to emulate the US airline market or US culture in general. (40,000 people per annum shot to death for one).

Just because someone somewhere else does "something" doesn't automatically mean it's good for us or should be copied.

Each proposed change should be evaluated on its individual merits, the current situation and reasons, and actual need.

Yes that was exactly what I was thinking off. @MARTINE mentioned smoking as another.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That is precisely my point, a great many of the respondents to this thread point out that the US and European airlines have similar policies and we are just catching up with them.

I am challenging the idea that it is catching up at all.

If perhaps the airlines we were comparing ourselves to were the more aspirational airlines (mostly in Asia or ME, which happens to also be a bit more contextually appropriate for AU airlines aspiring to catch up) the argument might hold a little more sway.

Pretty sure my post came directly after such an example but I am not pointing out any one post here, I have just read the whole thread and saw it stated multiple times hence my 2c.

My posts are not about 'catching up', but rather the multitude of supposed issues or deal breakers which 'no one has thought of'.

Which have been worked out elsewhere. Like reseating policies, managing the pet through airport processes, and the rules during an evacuation.

If any of those were dealbreakers they would not be allowed to carry pets in other jurisdictions.

 

[MARTINE]

My posts are not about 'catching up', but rather the multitude of supposed issues or deal breakers which 'no one has thought of'.

Which have been worked out elsewhere. Like reseating policies, managing the pet through airport processes, and the rules during an evacuation.

If any of those were dealbreakers they would not be allowed to carry pets in other jurisdictions.

Bit like the right to bear arms — dealbreaker for me but not for others
I agree its complex and nuanced

 

[JBergs]

Id like to draw attention to this recent incident on united. Owner took dog out of cage and the dog relived itself on nearby passenger.

A Dog Made a Disgusting Mess on a United Flight. But Who Should Clean It Up?

Fodor's provides expert travel content worth exploring so you can dream up your next trip. The world is a weird and wonderful place—we want to show you around.

www.fodors.com

I don’t understand why Virgin (or other airlines) are willing to expose themselves to this liability. A pet could ruin the flight for other passengers who then want compensation from Virgin. Surely this seems like a higher risk than the reward of allowing pets? I guess someone at VA doesn’t think so.

Agreed. My experience in the US was similar in that a crated dog had defecated in their cage. Great, try to have a meal then ... not to mention dog noise once on an Etihad flight. You could try but I doubt you will get a refund.

The justification Hrdlicka gave was nonsense ... that the odd "yip" is similar to babies crying. Entitlement is in and common sense is out, and VA sees a way to increase profits. But not with my hard earned. I will not fly with them once this becomes a reality.

 

[Pushka]

My posts are not about 'catching up', but rather the multitude of supposed issues or deal breakers which 'no one has thought of'.

Which have been worked out elsewhere. Like reseating policies, managing the pet through airport processes, and the rules during an evacuation.

If any of those were dealbreakers they would not be allowed to carry pets in other jurisdictions.

Or maybe just not tested yet - like evacuation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Bit like the right to bear arms — dealbreaker for me but not for others
I agree its complex and nuanced

And so there’s the choice to fly with airlines that don’t carry pets in the cabin.

But to say the carriage of pets can’t happen because of (a) (b) and (c) - which have already been worked out elsewhere - is a bit odd.

I’m not sure I agree with an earlier post which said the status quo is ‘no pets’ so the onus is on those wanting to change to show they implement it without taking away from others. This is not the same as government policy which requires consultation or a regulatory impact assessment. It’s a commercial operation, and the economics will determine if it is successful or otherwise? I do think there should be a grace period to allow pax with existing bookings to change them however if they feel they will be impacted by the new policy… or have a sufficient lead-in time meaning no one will be caught by surprise with a pet on the plane.

 

[drron]

Yes. These issues have been considered in the USA and Europe.

Australia is not the first in this area.

There are many challenges during an evacuation .. age, disability, language, people not following instructions, etc. this is just another factor.

Whatever the rules however, it's likely pax would instinctively want to take their pet as part of the evacuation.

The FAA considers pets in the cabin are carry on baggage and therefore have to meet all the requirements on carry on baggage. Ie left behind if there is an evacuation.
Service animals though are not regarded as pets and can be evacuated.
"What are the FAA rules regarding traveling with pets in the passenger cabin?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each airline to decide if they will allow you to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin. If an airline does allow you to bring your pet into the cabin, we consider your pet container to be carry-on baggage and you must follow all carry on baggage rules (14 CFR part 121, section 121.589):"

https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_pets/cabin_pets

 

[justinbrett]

Whatever the rules however, it's likely pax would instinctively want to take their pet as part of the evacuation.

Which is exactly why this shouldn't be permitted.

 

[Lynda2475]

Why can't they just gate-check pets? That way, owners can be sure that their pet makes it onto the plane, and I'm sure the pets are loaded last anyway. I'm sure the $100~ fee to fly a pet can more than pay for someone to take the pet from the owner at the gate, and visually prove they're loaded onto the aircraft.

Sensible, if the cost of putting pets in the hold was $150 or less and gate checked then, the concerns about them being left in the heat/cold waiting to be loaded would be alleviated.

 

[Quickstatus]

So how would this policy work for lounge guesting

will NOT travel on any airline that allows pets inside the cabin with my family

Welcome to AFF

I suppose you don't do air travel in the USA?

 

[Quickstatus]

is exactly why this shouldn't be permitted.

What about cabin luggage - all luggage in aircraft hold?

 

[justinbrett]

What about cabin luggage - all luggage in aircraft hold?

It's drummed into people to leave cabin luggage behind, and people will be shamed into doing so by other pax (as what occured on the JL flight)

You think that's going to go as smoothly when there's a pet involved?

 

[Quickstatus]

It's drummed into people to leave cabin luggage behind,

But still, cabin luggage still appear on the tarmac...

 

[Dee#]

Great. Can't wait until when I will be allowed to take my emotional support peacock!!!

Post automatically merged: Mar 9, 2024

It's drummed into people to leave cabin luggage behind, and people will be shamed into doing so by other pax (as what occured on the JL flight)

You think that's going to go as smoothly when there's a pet involved?

Of course they wont leave doggy behind if the plane has crashed and is sinking or on fire!

 

[Dee#]

Small dogs and cats apparently.

they will have to be very small for the boxes they are in to fit under the seat in front.