Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[MEL_Traveller]

Helpful comment, thanks a lot.

I guess the question is, what does someone allergic to cat hair *do now* when they travel? Gonna be no difference between now and the new policy.

 

[stm1sydney]

I guess the question is, what does someone allergic to cat hair *do now* when they travel? Gonna be no difference between now and the new policy.

I'm not allergic to cat hair, so I don't know. But I suspect that there is more cat hair on a cat than on a cat person, so more chance of an allergic reaction. My sarcastic reply still stands though: an actual helpful comment might have been "make sure you pack your antihistamines," not "stay at home." This is meant to be a forum for frequent flyers.

 

[MARTINE]

I guess the question is, what does someone allergic to cat hair *do now* when they travel? Gonna be no difference between now and the new policy.

At the risk of getting my head blown off ! (and a retired doctor) I will add — in medicine the poison is in the dose (even in sensitised individuals)

We resume (maybe wrongly) that people wash their clothes - yes they carry dander - but not the same exposure as sitting next to an actual cat (or 2or 3 or more).

E.G Drink a glass of water you wont die — drink 20+ you may due to brain swelling…

For balance
I don't expect a plane to have air quality like an operating theatre.
I have no problems with dedicated pet flights (but will not book).
I understand true allergic response to pets in close proximity (medically and personally) so would not dismiss this in anyone.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At the risk of getting my head blown off ! (and a retired doctor) I will add — in medicine the poison is in the dose (even in sensitised individuals)

We resume (maybe wrongly) that people wash their clothes - yes they carry dander - but not the same exposure as sitting next to an actual cat (or 2or 3 or more).

E.G Drink a glass of water you wont die — drink 20+ you may due to brain swelling…

For balance
I don't expect a plane to have air quality like an operating theatre.
I have no problems with dedicated pet flights (but will not book).
I understand true allergic response to pets in close proximity (medically and personally) so would not dismiss this in anyone.

Good points. and agree. But with hepa filters and pets only at floor level, will it really be an issue?

Speaking of washing clothes, our cat decided to sleep in the laundry basket. Which is fine except and I needed the shirt right on top to wear on the flight the other night... so it was somewhat full of cat fur!!

 

[hydrabyss]

Helpful comment, thanks a lot.

There's countries where they let cats roam free. End of the day if someone has an allergy they need to avoid it not everyone else has to cater to them. My doctor has told me I need to move house as my neighbours have chickens. Best thing is if I move and a neighbour gets chickens again or a large amount of birds I would need to move again. Makes a cat allergy seem trivial from my perspective.

 

[justinbrett]

I guess the question is, what does someone allergic to cat hair *do now* when they travel? Gonna be no difference between now and the new policy.

You are aware it’s not binary right? There is a concept called dosage.

I’m extremely allergic to dust but as you can imagine dust is everywhere and can’t be completely eradicated, yet I’m fine in most hotels and commercial settings as they have regular cleaning.

It’s common sense having the animal in the cabin is going to be a higher dosage than the remnants carried on pax.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You are aware it’s not binary right? There is a concept called dosage.

I’m extremely allergic to dust but as you can imagine dust is everywhere and can’t be completely eradicated, yet I’m fine in most hotels and commercial settings as they have regular cleaning.

It’s common sense having the animal in the cabin is going to be a higher dosage than the remnants carried on pax.

I get the dosage concept. But there doesn’t appear to have been major issues elsewhere. Why would australia be the exception?

 

[justinbrett]

I get the dosage concept. But there doesn’t appear to have been major issues elsewhere. Why would australia be the exception?

I'm not sure that pax getting itchy eyes is exactly newsworthy. There's often a delayed effect so many could probably not identify the source of the reaction.

 

[Quickstatus]

Isn't the air replaced constantly in the aluminium tube at 38,000 feet.
They use HEPA filters for the recirculating air and - so that takes care of airborne allergens and aerosols
Ive also heard the air is replaced every 3-5 minutes.
And I believe there are no animal dander floating around outside at 38,000 feet

 

[Harrison_133]

Trial to start next year for small cats and dogs on select flights between Melbourne and Sydney, before other routes are added.

Only animals which fit in a carrier under the seat will be allowed onboard, and it will cost an extra $100-$150 to do so.

Source: Pet-friendly flights: New details about Virgin Australia's pet-friendly flights

 

[jase05]

Been a loyal Platinum for many years but this might be the move that forces me back to QF. I won’t tolerate a pet sitting near me so unless they have designated seating at the back of the bus then I’ll have to move my business across to the enemy

 

[Uncharted6264]

Been a loyal Platinum for many years but this might be the move that forces me back to QF. I won’t tolerate a pet sitting near me so unless they have designated seating at the back of the bus then I’ll have to move my business across to the enemy

Well, ever travelled on any US flight, ever?

This is a huge and awesome change, pets are an important part of people's lives and for us personally this will be a complete lifestyle enabler, time to move forward imo

 

[Saab34]

Is a lot of hot air around the media traps re this one.

The fees are much in the line with US Dom.

Aussies and hot air, we are very backward here. We love a good outrage, even if it’s normal in the rest of the world. Just get on with it.

 

[jase05]

Well, ever travelled on any US flight, ever?

This is a huge and awesome change, pets are an important part of people's lives and for us personally this will be a complete lifestyle enabler, time to move forward imo

I have an allergy to cats and can’t be in the same room as one.
Simply if I’m going to be seated near one I won’t be flying so if I have to change airlines for now so be it

 

[SeaWolf]

I have an allergy to cats and can’t be in the same room as one.
Simply if I’m going to be seated near one I won’t be flying so if I have to change airlines for now so be it

What do you do when you travel in the US or Europe? Or is that something you're simply not able to do?

 

[jase05]

What do you do when you travel in the US or Europe? Or is that something you're simply not able to do?

Haven’t been to the US but have done 100’s of flights in Europe and never seen a pet anywhere near me

 

[justinbrett]

Haven’t been to the US but have done 100’s of flights in Europe and never seen a pet anywhere near me

I’m the same with flights in the US. Yet to see one.

 

[drron]

Well we have certainly flown with a few including a white labrador in AA domestic F. The dog was in 1A complete with nappy. The owner, a Korean, was in 1C. He told us he was Korean and explained it was a service dog. It proved that when the owner had a seizure. The dog came into 1D and put it;s head in the aisle and looked up and down catching the attention of an FA. fortunately didn't last long so we continued on to our destination. The dog didn't make a sound during the whole flight.
In 1969 I was in a TAA DC3 and across the aisle 2 fellows with a spear in one hand and a piglet under the other arm. During some turbulence over the Owen stanleys into LAE one spear hit the roof and one piglet escaped but soon recaptured.

On the other hand on US Air there was a woman 2 rows in front of us who had 1 little yappy dog in a carrier under the seat and the other equally yappy one in her handbag. No one thought it was acceptable.
So yes to service animals and a Don't really want for pets.

 

[SeaWolf]

Haven’t been to the US but have done 100’s of flights in Europe and never seen a pet anywhere near me

I’m the same with flights in the US. Yet to see one.

Sounds like it's a non-issue then and you won't have to worry about it once it's rolled out in Australia in the same way you haven't had to worry about it in Europe or the USA, even though they've been doing it for years.

 

[CaptJCool]

In Europe this year 2024
There were occasional dogs at airports.
No one thought to bring a German Shepherd on-board
Usually just the handbag sized dogs which you wouldn’t know were there unless you saw them. Quiet as

Plenty of pets get carted underneath ….