Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[Pushka]

Given the size of some of the dogs used in the VA marketing videos, they will need to have a dog chiropractor on hand after Fido spends the whole flight stuffed in a small cage under the chair in front. And apologies in advance for my SO sneezing through the entire flight after the pet parade through the J cabin. (On the infrequent occasion 2J's can be found as a CR).

It seemed a ridiculous thing to do. The CEO could barely hold her dog

 

[RSVKanga]

I imagine this is a case of floating the idea, waiting for any public backlash, and then quietly shelving it.

Yep, Virgin has a history of doing these - it’s similar to VA’s failed attempt to introduce the US-style archaic, conservative and discriminatory custom of letting veterans board first in 2018. Received major backlash from the Australian public and it was quietly binned because it has no place in Australia.

Although I expect this animals announcement to receive far more support that the veterans idea and it might just get through.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think I'd prefer to sit next to a cat or small dog than some people I have had to endure on flights.

Yes.
Cat or dog no problems. Better than some of the self entitled feet on bulkhead types.

 

[zoraya_lane]

Yes.
Cat or dog no problems. Better than some of the self entitled feet on bulkhead types.

Better than the toddler I sat next to in business class who threw their food at me and spent a solid 30 minutes pulling out the safety pamphlets and menu, throwing them on the floor til mum picked them up and placed them back, rinse and repeat.

 

[prozac]

Better than the toddler I sat next to in business class who threw their food at me and spent a solid 30 minutes pulling out the safety pamphlets and menu, throwing them on the floor til mum picked them up and placed them back, rinse and repeat.

So you'd be with me and question why they let kids on planes at all! I'm waiting for Viking Cruises to start an airline.

Evidently the polling was done on facebook so it must be true.

 

[zoraya_lane]

So you'd be with me and question why they let kids on planes at all! I'm waiting for Viking Cruises to start an airline.

Evidently the polling was done on facebook so it must be true.

honestly I just think similar policies should apply the same as this pet thing. I.e. certain rows dedicated to parents and children, no kids in business/first below an age that they can maintain appropriate behaviour for the area

 

[pauly7]

I thought this was a joke.

Big no from me.

 

[MARTINE]

So Virgin say that they have polled passengers and the vast majority want this.
I would have thought that they would target their own frequent fliers for a start but judging by the comments, noone here has been surveyed.
If they asked me, which they didn't, it would be enough to turn me reluctantly from VA back to QF.

And staff with allergies/asthma. VA have a duty of care to provide safe work environment not aggravate their medical condition.

I would avoid any flights especially if cats in board as they are highly allergenic to me.

So many other issues with this idea — space,noise, distress of the animal in small confined space and what about emergencies - need to do so with animals now.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It seemed a ridiculous thing to do. The CEO could barely hold her dog

Or her position!

 

[RSD]

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

I've had one chook on a flight in Africa - bloody thing escaped at 30-something thousand feet in the middle of the night, took all the passengers together quite a while to capture the damn thing.

 

[Ryan Bingham]

I imagine this is a case of floating the idea, waiting for any public backlash, and then quietly shelving it.

In the absence of evidence or good policy, make $h!t up and hope it sticks. #auspol

Also, was this the new big announcement?

 

[RSD]

Please… everyone knows emotional support peacocks are the way to go.

To any dog/cat owners you better start training it how to raise its paws in the air for security.

TSA in America must have a field day with dogs and cats!

Post automatically merged: Mar 7, 2024

The hold is airconditioned, and pressurised. Why do they need to be in the cabin?

Mind you, there were quite a few passengers I'd have liked to be able to send to the hold.

Well don't stop there - tell us the stories!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Better than the toddler I sat next to in business class who threw their food at me and spent a solid 30 minutes pulling out the safety pamphlets and menu, throwing them on the floor til mum picked them up and placed them back, rinse and repeat.

Shocked. The parent showed some responsibility. Unusual.

 

[hydrabyss]

honestly I just think similar policies should apply the same as this pet thing. I.e. certain rows dedicated to parents and children, no kids in business/first below an age that they can maintain appropriate behaviour for the area

I feel a sound proof chamber would be appropriate and I don't mean for the kids as I find the parents are the issue most times.

 

[RSD]

Not sure why they are stopping at just dogs and cats when a large carpet python has the flexibility to fit under the seat in front

 

[hydrabyss]

I don't have an issue with this but I do like the idea the lounges may have some extra space due to so many not wanting to fly Virgin anymore when this starts. Between someones baby and a small dog in a cage I will take the risk the dog is toilet trained and does not feel the need to cry for 2 hours.

 

[ols]

Can I take my Siberian hamster? Is hamster

 

[p--and--t]

Last two rows of Y sounds about right for pets. Keep them well away from the front of the bus

Next to the galley?

Post automatically merged: Mar 7, 2024

I'm fairly certain VA cannot-not sell J seats for those pax wishing to bring their pets ... if anything VA will make more money by selling J seat plus pet on-board fee.

How will the pet "fit under the seat in front of you".

 

[Princess Fiona]

This happens all the time in the USA and AFAIK no major issues there.

I’ve taken maybe a dozen or so AA Domestic flights where there was a dog or cat onboard that I was aware of.
Probably heaps more where they were carried past me in 1A whilst I was doomscrolling my Facebook.
Didn’t have any issues.

Personally I’m not a fan of this decision by VA but it’s a neat little publicity stunt to announce it and keeps them relevant to the crowd they need to chase now that the corp accounts have dried up.

 

[twinaisle]

Interested to know what @twinaisle thinks about this

Post automatically merged: Mar 7, 2024

If we could keep it on topic please? Not discussing the mile high club.

Sorry but no cough play onboard. cough must be put away.