Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[kyle]

And I thought it would be those Tiktoks where we see the dog sleeping in a business class seat.

I think it's a great initiative and for many families, their pet is part of the family.

 

[prozac]

I preface his by saying I like cats, and I like dogs generally, some small dogs ruin it for others imo.
Picture this; cats get scared in certain situations and their way of dealing with stress can be to defecate. It's ok some might say, it is contained within the cage, but can you recall what scared cat poop smells like? Now imagine that on a 2hr flight, you might be reaching for the chuck bag.

And in truth, can an animal carrier fit under a seat?

If it is introduced my profile might include allergic to all pet hair.

Edit: The expression herding cats comes to mind.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I preface his by saying I like cats, and I like dogs generally, some small dogs ruin it for others imo.
Picture this; cats get scared in certain situations and their way of dealing with stress can be to defecate. It's ok some might say, it is contained withing the cage, but can you recall what scared cat poop smells like? Now imagine that on a 2hr flight, you might be reaching for the chuck bag.

And in truth, can an animal carrier fit under a seat?

If it is introduced my profile might include allergic to all pet hair.

Edit: The expression herding cats comes to mind.

Australia isn't the first country to allow pets to be carried in the cabin so I don't think there are any new issues that won't have been already been resolved.

In response to an earlier post there is presumably a re-seating policy for passengers who may be seated near a service animal such as a guide dog. Perhaps pose could be used in carriage of general pets.

 

[Pushka]

We can’t have a dog because family member is significantly allergic to them. The only thing that creates an Asthma attack for them. . Who will take care or responsibility of any allergic reactions that can’t be managed by antihistamine's?

 

[henrus]

Australia isn't the first country to allow pets to be carried in the cabin so I don't think there are any new issues that won't have been already been resolved.

Although they will need to convince airports to change their policies to allow pets in terminals as some ban that, then also the regulator. There is a fair amount of work to be done to make this happen meaning a few issues along the way.

 

[Saab34]

So does that mean Kitty gets to go through the x ray machine?

 

[Ade]

allergies

Good point ... I'd safely assume VA had thought about this before arriving at the decision.

 

[kyle]

So does that mean Kitty gets to go through the x ray machine?

 

[oz_mark]

Although they will need to convince airports to change their policies to allow pets in terminals as some ban that, then also the regulator. There is a fair amount of work to be done to make this happen meaning a few issues along the way.

It will certainly affect which routes are available

 

[Black Duck]

So does that mean Kitty gets to go through the x ray machine?

Years ago flying Crete-Athens, there was a cage of chooks that they put through the xray and then carried in the cabin.

 

[Pushka]

There is no way our cat carrier would fit under the seat. If that's a requirement then it's a mock announcement. So would the carrier also count as someone's hand luggage?

 

[zoraya_lane]

Damn some of you are dramatic af. Europe and the US have managed to do this for a long time and the world hasn’t melted down— Virgin offering it on limited flights (so people with allergies need not take them) is a great move imo as someone who travels regularly for work and would love to be able to take a pet with me having avoided getting a dog for years due to my frequent travel.

 

[Gavros333]

Finally catching up with other civilised countries. This is enough to sway me back to VA over the competition.

 

[Pushka]

Damn some of you are dramatic af. Europe and the US have managed to do this for a long time and the world hasn’t melted down— Virgin offering it on limited flights (so people with allergies need not take them) is a great move imo as someone who travels regularly for work and would love to be able to take a pet with me having avoided getting a dog for years due to my frequent travel.

Curious what you'd do with the pet whilst working?

 

[elanshin]

Damn some of you are dramatic af. Europe and the US have managed to do this for a long time and the world hasn’t melted down— Virgin offering it on limited flights (so people with allergies need not take them) is a great move imo as someone who travels regularly for work and would love to be able to take a pet with me having avoided getting a dog for years due to my frequent travel.

Offering on some flights means disclaimers and health warnings for every VA flight. You won't know which plane is doing which specific route and they can change at any moment for operational reasons.

I do think that it's a good "idea" but until they have a lot more detail plans on what thus actually involves, it could end up with some uncomfortable people.

I have a close friend that is allergic to cat hairs and last time broke out into hives after he sat on the floor of another friends place and we all forgot they had a cat as it was super shy and we never see him when we visit. Imagine that now being possibly every VA flight as you have no idea who's been on what plane and how thoroughly it was cleaned.

 

[Warks]

I'm only going to say this doesn't make flying better for anyone. Even the pet owners will have a miserable flight if their animal is distressed.

 

[prozac]

Damn some of you are dramatic af. Europe and the US have managed to do this for a long time and the world hasn’t melted down— Virgin offering it on limited flights (so people with allergies need not take them) is a great move imo as someone who travels regularly for work and would love to be able to take a pet with me having avoided getting a dog for years due to my frequent travel.

Big difference between say UK or Europe where dogs are allowed in pubs and restaurants, etc.. It is a cultural thing where people know how to behave with their animals. Can't imagine pubs etc here with some of the dogs people consider pets. Generally no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners.

 

[RooFlyer]

Nice Instagram thought bubble VA, but

Although they will need to convince airports to change their policies to allow pets in terminals as some ban that, then also the regulator.

I'm pretty sure the regulator ( not sure who) changed the governing policy about a year ago. There was discussion of it at the time.

Changed it for aircraft, and I dare say for airports as well. Then up to the individual enterprises to implement if they wish

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Offering on some flights means disclaimers and health warnings for every VA flight. You won't know which plane is doing which specific route and they can change at any moment for operational reasons.

I do think that it's a good "idea" but until they have a lot more detail plans on what thus actually involves, it could end up with some uncomfortable people.

I have a close friend that is allergic to cat hairs and last time broke out into hives after he sat on the floor of another friends place and we all forgot they had a cat as it was super shy and we never see him when we visit. Imagine that now being possibly every VA flight as you have no idea who's been on what plane and how thoroughly it was cleaned.

But the same equally applies to the carriage of guide dogs. There arent general disclaimers now regarding the carriage of those animals and for people that might be allergic to dogs. I suspect that airlines don't have special cleaning protocols after a guide dog has been on board?

 

[Flying Fox]

We can’t have a dog because family member is significantly allergic to them. The only thing that creates an Asthma attack for them. . Who will take care or responsibility of any allergic reactions that can’t be managed by antihistamine's?

I'm the same with cats. When I'm close to cats I develop an Asthma attack. Can I sue the airline (I do have a mortgage to pay off)? Can I sue the pet owner?

Would this not complicate the evacuation process should it be required?

What happens if I have a pet snake or kangaroo?