Blog Tales

Dogs On A Plane!!!

11 August jma074@optusnet.com.au 0 Comment

Hey Woofas,

 

A story came out a few weeks ago from Virgin Australia!

Virgin have announced that they plan on introducing pet-friendly flights (pending all necessary approvals).

Now this doesn’t mean your pet gets to travel in the cargo area, because that is already allowed (within reason).

What they want to bring in is certain Pets being allowed to travel inside the plane with their owners.

How does that make you feel?

HOW PETS TRAVEL BY PLANE NOW?

 

Currently, according to the Virgin Australia website –

Pets are currently allowed to travel by plane but they’re in the cargo area – where the bags go – which is temperature controlled.

Also there are a heap of rules and guidelines that must be followed –

To be able to travel, your pet must:

  • Be over eight weeks old (this is due to possible dehydration while travelling);
  • Be in good health;
  • Not exceed 65kgs (including the container);
  • Not be unduly aggressive;
  • Be transported in a container which complies with the Virgin Australia guidelines for pet containers and is the correct size for your pet; and
  • Be treated for the Hydatids Tapeworm prior to arrival if travelling to Tasmania.

If your pet has any of the below conditions,

A Veterinary Certificate confirming that your pet is fit for air travel (dated within two weeks of the travel date) is required for your pet. This is a restriction that applies on all Virgin Australia flights. All pets with the below conditions are flown at the shipper’s risk.

  • Pregnant or has given birth within 48 hours of the planned departure time;
  • Over 12 years of age;
  • Between 8 and 12 weeks old;
  • Sick, injured or recovering from surgery;
  • Has been sedated.

 

There are also Breed Specific Restrictions on dogs and some cats-

  • Ages
  • Weight
  • Prohibited Breeds
  • Brachycephalic
  • the amount of dogs per passenger etc

 

What are the other rules for traveling with pets?

  • Virgin: All pets must travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Virgin only allows cats and dogs under 65 kilograms (and that weight limit includes the crate they’re travelling in) to travel on their planes
  • Qantas: All pets must travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Qantas allows cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, domestic fish with no aeration requirements and domestic birds on their planes
  • Jetstar: Jetstar’s website says the airline “is not equipped” to transport pets, directing customers to Qantas Freight instead

However, all three airlines allow service dogs — so that’s guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs — in the cabins of their planes.

Jetstar has ruled out emotional support pets, but Virgin allows them on flights to and from the US — where they’re permitted on planes.

A bunch of restrictions apply to service dogs, including wearing their harnesses, being appropriately certified and being properly restrained.

 

Understandably, there are a heap of restrictions required when your pet is traveling in the cargo area and service pets in the cabin.

For the safety of everyone, I get it!

However, how are they going to make it BETTER if your pet is allowed in the cabin area?

 

PETS TRAVELING IN THE CABIN AREA!

It states on the  Virgin Australia website –

Pets in cabin update

Virgin seems to be the only Australian Airlines considering it.

 

On the ABC NEWS website it states– According to the body that regulates aviation safety in Australia — Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) — in December last year, they updated its regulations for the carriage of animals on aircraft, which essentially gave airlines permission to carry animals in cabins if they chose to. 

Back when the changes were being discussed, Qantas and Jetstar indicated they weren’t keen on the idea, but Virgin was considering it. 

 

21 AIRLINES THAT ALLOW PETS TO TRAVEL IN THE CABIN!

Out of curiosity I wanted to see if any other airlines were currently allowing dogs to travel in their cabins on flights, here’s what I found!

 

According to the Pets That Travel website – these are 21 Airlines that allow dogs to travel in the cabin.

 

  1. Aegean Airlines
  2. Air Canada
  3. Air Europa
  4. Air France
  5. Alaska Air
  6. American Airlines
  7. Delta
  8. French Bee
  9. JetBlue
  10. Lufthansa
  11. Southwest
  12. TAP Air Portugal
  13. TUI Fly
  14. Turkish Airlines
  15. United Airlines
  16. Vueling
  17. Aero (semi-private)
  18. BLADE (semi-private)
  19. JSX (semi-private)
  20. Surf Air (semi-private)
  21. Tradewind Aviation (semi-private)

 

Obviously the travel doesn’t come without restrictions.

Could Virgin Australia be the first in our country to allow this?

I hope so.

I’d rather be on a plane with dogs than screaming kids and annoying people lol – yes she just said that!!!

 

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Soon and thanks to Virgin Australia, our pet dogs may be able to travel with us on certain flights – IN THE CABIN AREA!

Of course this doesn’t come without restrictions.

I’m excited, how about you?

 

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – WOULD YOU CONSIDER TRAVELING ON A PLANE THAT ALLOWS DOGS IN THE CABIN?

 

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