Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[p--and--t]

Another out-of-the-box alternative would be to modify a few of the 737 overhead lockers with optimal lighting and oxygen supply (with 1-2 dedicated lockers for pets) so that they are a safe and comfortable space for pet cages to go into.

Errm don't airlines already provide this down below? Pressurised, airconditioned etc.

It's not like passengers can't already travel on the same plane with their pets. Nothing is preventing them taking their pet's on holiday already today. Always been the case on nearly all airlines.

False argument they are disadvantaged today and can't take their pets when they travel.

 

[RSVKanga]

Errm don't airlines already provide this down below? Pressurised, airconditioned etc.

The issue really isn't about the flight or cargo hold, it's about the ground handling and all the issues that come with it, i.e. time the pet will spend on the tarmac during heatwaves or freezing temperatures, baggage handler behaviour, misplaced/lost cages etc

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The issue really isn't about the flight or cargo hold, it's about the ground handling and all the issues that come with it, i.e. time the pet will spend on the tarmac during heatwaves or freezing temperatures, baggage handler behaviour, misplaced/lost cages etc

And the cost? Pet in cabin might be $100, the price on QF for a MEL-SYD is $161 in the hold.

Return that could amount to some savings for a pet-in-cabin.

 

[RSD]

Did it get served on the menu?

Not on the flight, but I suspect that it was on its way to a feast...

 

[RSD]

Might be missing a few smaller support pets after the flight

That is quite possible!

 

[encryptededdy]

The issue really isn't about the flight or cargo hold, it's about the ground handling and all the issues that come with it, i.e. time the pet will spend on the tarmac during heatwaves or freezing temperatures, baggage handler behaviour, misplaced/lost cages etc

See, I've thought about this and I've wondered (and maybe I'm missing some big thing)...

Why can't they just gate-check pets? That way, owners can be sure that their pet makes it onto the plane, and I'm sure the pets are loaded last anyway. I'm sure the $100~ fee to fly a pet can more than pay for someone to take the pet from the owner at the gate, and visually prove they're loaded onto the aircraft.

 

[fly2earth]

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

I'd rather sit next to a howling dog or a mewing cat as opposed to a flying baby any day of the week!

 

[fly2earth]

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

Freshly made ingredients for Turkish Airlines First Class I suppose?

 

[fly2earth]

One of my favourite travel pics...

You know you're in Australia when a coughatoo flies up to you and laughs in your face in the middle of a zoom presentation and the whole team just carries on as if nothing has happened

 

[fly2earth]

I will NOT travel on any airline that allows pets inside the cabin with my family! Dogs can whine and bark and I can not imagine eating a meal on an aircraft just as a dog dumps a load whether it's poo or vomit. The smell would make me vomit. All because some minority pet owners want their pets with them. Isn't that nice!!! The pets are NOT humans. They should NOT be in cabins. Where is the safety issue here. In an emergency these selfish people will be reluctant to leave without their pet. Hand carry must be left so should pets. But these people will clog the isle with the beasts and maybe be arguing with cabin staff. Just imagine yap yap yap yap for a whole flight. Or meowwwww for a whole flight. Cats can poo with fright also. Changes in pressure will set animals off as it does some children. We may as well go completely 3rd world and allow chickens, ducks, goats etc to travel with us as well. What is WRONG with the world now it's NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No pet carrying airline for me. Dogs STINK!

Youre forgetting about the pet kangaroos and wallabies and wombats and the occassional pet spiders

 

[fly2earth]

I'm actually surprised so many ppl are allergic to dogs/cats and they are all here in AFF.

Mission accomplished: Turning every no status peasant into SG and WP by virtue of them being allergic to pets.

 

[Balus1]

If Rover and Puss are eligible for FF points and family pooling and status, could be worthwhile.

 

[willclan]

Has anyone considered the issue of an emergency evacuation of the aircraft? We are all told to leave personal belongings behind in the event of an emergency, so what happens with the family pet, can you really imagine the owner leaving the family pet behind? Then the time to get the cage out and then another danger to other passengers down a slide. Needs a lot more thought, and I hope it is not approved by the regulator.

 

[BAM1748]

Has anyone considered the issue of an emergency evacuation of the aircraft? We are all told to leave personal belongings behind in the event of an emergency, so what happens with the family pet, can you really imagine the owner leaving the family pet behind? Then the time to get the cage out and then another danger to other passengers down a slide. Needs a lot more thought, and I hope it is not approved by the regulator.

I wouldn’t stop someone taking their pet in an evacuation

It’s the people who think their laptop is important that need stopping and that’s happening now.

 

[fly2earth]

If Rover and Puss are eligible for FF points and family pooling and status, could be worthwhile.

What weird names! I call mine Rufus and Fido and MojoDojoCasaHouse.

 

[fly2earth]

I wouldn’t stop someone taking their pet in an evacuation

It’s the people who think their laptop is important that need stopping and that’s happening now.

My friend says he would rather die with his laptop in a fire than live without it. He is a valedictorian and is earning more than most of us right now so I guess he knows what he is doing...

 

[hydrabyss]

I wouldn’t stop someone taking their pet in an evacuation

It’s the people who think their laptop is important that need stopping and that’s happening now.

I agree the time it would take to stop someone taking their pet could be spent elsewhere and the bags they use are soft and flexible.

I better add some more things to consider like I'm more concerned with the oxygen masks and how it will fit my cat and if I can remove him from his carrier in such an emergency.

Will they include him in the announcements and safety demonstrations as I would not want him to be non inclusive with the rest of us and not know what to do.

I have noticed a few of the cupboard doors near business that never get used may be able to be converted to cat a toilet.

Last but not least if we can sit seat the children and pets in the same row they may just cancel each other out regarding the noise and smell.

 

[hydrabyss]

My friend says he would rather die with his laptop in a fire than live without it. He is a valedictorian and is earning more than most of us right now so I guess he knows what he is doing...

Could just have a second duplicate laptop in case of such situations but then that is what age and life experience teaches you.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Has anyone considered the issue of an emergency evacuation of the aircraft? We are all told to leave personal belongings behind in the event of an emergency, so what happens with the family pet, can you really imagine the owner leaving the family pet behind? Then the time to get the cage out and then another danger to other passengers down a slide. Needs a lot more thought, and I hope it is not approved by the regulator.

Yes. These issues have been considered in the USA and Europe.

Australia is not the first in this area.

There are many challenges during an evacuation .. age, disability, language, people not following instructions, etc. this is just another factor.

Whatever the rules however, it's likely pax would instinctively want to take their pet as part of the evacuation.

 

[33kft]

I have no particular opinion on the subject matter, but more the theme of posts here and in particular the point that euro/US carriers are so far ahead of us and we are playing catch up.

Am I the only one not celebrating the town bus-ification of airlines in Australia? If Ryanair, euro business and no domestic lounges are in our future I think I am good with the present.