Virgin Australia has today announced that its first Pets in Cabin flight departing Adelaide will take off on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with services now available to book.
The expansion to Adelaide, first announced in February 2026, marks the latest growth of Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, following strong customer demand for the Australian airline-first service. Since launching in October 2025, almost 1,500 pets have taken to the skies, giving Australians more flexibility, choice and value when travelling with their four-legged family members.
Virgin Australia is working closely with airport partners to assess further expansion opportunities, with additional Pets in Cabin destinations expected to be announced in the coming months.
The inaugural flight from Adelaide, VA218, will depart for Melbourne at 11:50am on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with guests and their pets set to enjoy a special send-off at the departure gate.
How to book Pets in Cabin Adelaide services
To book a Pets in Cabin service departing Adelaide, guests will need to call the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89. Guests will need to agree to the Pets in Cabin Terms and Conditions to proceed with the booking.
Pets in Cabin network*
Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin services are now available to book as follows:
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Adelaide > Melbourne
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Melbourne > Adelaide
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Adelaide > Gold Coast
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Gold Coast > Adelaide
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Melbourne > Gold Coast
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Gold Coast > Melbourne
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Melbourne > Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
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Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) > Melbourne
Booking dates extended
Virgin Australia has also extended the travel dates for majority of its Pets in Cabin services through to 30 September 2026*, with services between Adelaide and Melbourne (both directions) available to book until 31 January 2027. The extended travel dates for Adelaide-Melbourne services will give pet owners more opportunity to travel with their pets over the Christmas and summer holiday season.
Subject to final airport approvals, the airline intends to make Pets in Cabin services a standard offering on eligible services from next year.
Commentary
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said the expansion marks another milestone in the airline’s commitment to innovative, customer-led travel experiences.
“We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the Pets in Cabin service, with almost 1,500 pets travelling on Virgin Australia flights since the program launched in October,” said Ms. Minogue.
“Pets are part of the family, and we know how important it is for many Australians to be able to travel with them interstate.
“We’re thankful for the support of Adelaide Airport and our airport partners around the country as we continue expanding the network and making the service available to more guests and their pets.
“We’re laser focused on improving the travel experience and giving customers more choice, value and flexibility in how they travel, and our Pets in Cabin services are a testament of that,” she said.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager, People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill, said the airport was excited to join Virgin Australia’s Pets in Cabin network, offering an improved experience for customers.
“We’re looking forward to being a part of what has already proven to be a very popular initiative with Virgin Australia’s customers. Pets are part of the family so it’s great that travellers will now be able to travel with their four-legged friends,” said Mr O’Neill.
First introduced in October 2025, the Pets in Cabin service has reshaped Australia’s domestic aviation landscape, creating new economic opportunities across tourism and pet travel, while expanding travel options for Australians and their small four-legged companions.
The expansion of the Pets in Cabin network to Adelaide reflects Virgin Australia’s continued focus on delivering customer-led innovation. In recent years, the airline has introduced a range of industry-leading initiatives, including baggage tracking, rewards for guests who sit in a middle seat, an Australian-first all-in-one flight search tool, enhanced mobile app functionality, and a new airport check-in experience that reduces check-in times by up to 50 per cent# at participating airports.
