Flying with Pets in Australia: Airline Rules & Carrier Guide (2026)

Can you fly with a dog or cat in Australia? Yes—but the answer depends on the airline, route, pet, aircraft and whether the animal travels in the passenger cabin or through a freight service.

This comparison was fact-checked against current airline information on 23 July 2026. Airline policies can change quickly, so always check the airline’s official page before booking.

Australian Airline Pet Policies at a Glance

Airline	Ordinary pets in cabin?	How ordinary pets travel	Where to check
Virgin Australia	Yes, for eligible small cats and dogs on selected Pets in Cabin routes	Cabin on eligible trial services; other pet transport options depend on route	HiDREAM’s detailed Virgin guide
Qantas	No, except eligible service dogs under separate rules	Qantas Freight on selected domestic services in an appropriate IATA-approved crate	Qantas Freight
Rex	No, except approved assistance animals	Checked baggage or cargo on eligible regional routes, subject to airport and aircraft restrictions	Rex special requirements
Jetstar	No	Jetstar says it is not equipped to transport pets; Qantas Freight does not accept pet bookings on Jetstar services	Jetstar pet policy

Assistance animals are not covered by the ordinary-pet comparison above. Each airline has separate eligibility, documentation and booking requirements for assistance animals.

Cabin vs Hold or Freight: What Is the Difference?

Pets in the passenger cabin

An eligible pet travels inside a closed soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of the passenger. In Australia, Virgin Australia currently offers this on selected Pets in Cabin services. The combined pet-and-carrier limit is 8kg and the maximum carrier dimensions are 44 × 26 × 28cm.

Read the full Virgin Australia Pets in Cabin rules, carrier limits and booking checklist.

Pets travelling in the aircraft hold or as freight

Ordinary pets travelling with Qantas or Rex generally travel in an appropriate crate outside the passenger cabin. Booking, lodgement, collection, breed, age, weather and crate requirements differ from cabin travel.

Do not use a soft under-seat carrier for a service that requires an IATA-approved freight crate. Confirm the exact container and booking rules with the operator before buying equipment or booking your own passenger ticket.

Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia allows eligible small cats and dogs in the cabin on selected routes between Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The service is not available across the entire network.

Key current limits include:

Maximum combined pet and carrier weight: 8kg
Maximum soft carrier size: 44cm L × 26cm W × 28cm H
Booking by phone more than 72 hours before travel
In-person check-in no later than 75 minutes before departure
Carrier closed and under the seat throughout the flight

Because route and trial dates can change, use the official Virgin Pets in Cabin page as the final authority.

Qantas

Ordinary pets do not travel in the Qantas passenger cabin. Domestic pet travel is arranged through Qantas Freight on selected services. Pets require an appropriate IATA-approved crate, and availability depends on route, aircraft, capacity, breed and weather.

Qantas recommends checking pet flight options before booking the passenger’s flight. Brachycephalic breeds require a Qantas Freight-approved pet travel specialist, and age and health requirements apply.

Check the current Qantas domestic pet travel guide and pet travel checklist.

Rex

Rex does not allow ordinary pets in the passenger cabin. Its current rules say domestic animals may be accepted as checked baggage on eligible Saab 340 services in New South Wales and Victoria. At specified airports and on other applicable journeys, animals must be lodged through a freight provider and travel as cargo.

Airport, aircraft, crate, route and breed restrictions apply. Rex currently says it does not accept brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or freight. Contact Rex before booking because not every route or airport can handle live animals.

Jetstar

Jetstar says it is not equipped to transport ordinary pets. Qantas Freight also states that it does not accept pet bookings on Jetstar-operated services. If your journey requires pet transport, arrange an eligible alternative before purchasing a non-refundable passenger fare.

There Is No Universal “Airline-Approved” Carrier

Different travel methods require different carriers. Virgin’s selected cabin service requires a small soft-sided under-seat carrier. Qantas Freight and Rex hold or freight travel can require a secure IATA-style crate.

Before buying, check:

The operating airline—not only the company that sold the ticket
The exact route and aircraft
Whether the pet travels in the cabin, hold or as freight
The carrier’s external dimensions at its widest, highest and longest points
The empty carrier weight and total weight with the pet inside
Ventilation, closure, liner and crate-construction requirements
Breed, age, veterinary and weather restrictions

A product label such as “airline approved” is not a guarantee of acceptance. The airline makes the final decision.

See our pet carrier buying guide for everyday carrier styles, measuring advice and use cases. You can also browse our pet carrier collection for car trips, public transport, vet visits and other travel. Always compare the listed measurements with your airline’s current rules before flying.

Preparing Your Pet for Air Travel

Book early: pet capacity and eligible services are limited.
Confirm health requirements: ask the airline whether a veterinary certificate or specialist booking is required.
Practise with the carrier or crate: introduce it gradually before travel rather than using it for the first time at the airport.
Check the weather: extreme heat or cold can affect freight acceptance.
Prepare the correct liner and water arrangement: cabin and freight requirements differ.
Do not sedate without veterinary direction: discuss medication and fitness to fly with your vet and airline.
Reconfirm close to departure: schedules, aircraft and policies can change.

International Pet Travel from Australia

International travel can involve import permits, export documentation, microchipping, vaccination schedules, veterinary health certificates, biosecurity rules and quarantine. Requirements vary by destination and transit country.

Start with the destination government’s official biosecurity guidance and use an experienced pet transport specialist where appropriate. Do not rely on domestic carrier rules for an international journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Australian airline lets ordinary pets travel in the cabin?

Virgin Australia currently allows eligible small cats and dogs in the cabin on selected Pets in Cabin routes. The program is not available on every Virgin flight.

Can a small pet travel in the Rex cabin?

No. Rex’s current policy places ordinary pets in checked baggage or freight arrangements on eligible routes. Approved assistance animals follow separate cabin rules.

Can Jetstar carry my pet as checked baggage?

No. Jetstar says it is not equipped to transport pets, and Qantas Freight does not accept pet bookings on Jetstar services.

Does “airline approved” mean every airline will accept a carrier?

No. Each airline and travel method sets its own dimensions, weight, construction and security requirements. Always compare the actual product measurements with the current official rules.