Seems like it won't only be bad BO, bothersome babies and cranky Karen's to deal with when flying anymore. Virgin has announced pocket pets will soon be able to travel in the cabin - but only if they can be stowed under the seat in front of you. Guess that leaves out a labrador, kelpie or a maremma then, even though they'd probably be better travellers than your average Paris Hilton-esque chihuahua...
Going by the last line though, I think they've missed the mark. I reckon the vast majority of travellers would prefer to have babies, through to kids under 10 seated in dedicated rows so we can book a seat away from
them....
Virgin Australia announces small dogs and cats to be allowed in cabin on domestic flights
Virgin Australia has announced it plans to become the country's first airline to allow pets to ride onboard. Small cats and dogs will be allowed on specific domestic flights with the service expected to launch within the next 12 months, subject to regulatory approval. The proposed changes will allow pets onboard a limited number of designated rows and they will need to remain in a Virgin-approved pet carrier for the whole flight.
"Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia's first-ever pets in cabin flights," Ms Hrdlicka said. "Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality."
She said it's something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well. "This is only a domestic opportunity for dogs and cats to travel onboard, it's a little complicated to do that internationally."
Ms Hrdlicka said the airline was working with the service regulator to figure out what the service might cost travellers. Pet carriers must fit under the seat in front in designated rows under the plan. She said the designated rows will also allow passengers who do not want to be near animals to book a seat away from them.
Source