If you’re planning a trip and wondering whether your dog or cat can fly on Virgin Atlantic, you’re not alone. Airline pet policies can feel confusing, overly technical, and sometimes contradictory, especially when you’re trying to piece together information from multiple documents.
This guide breaks down Virgin Atlantic’s pet travel policies, using only the airline’s own official resources. The goal is simple: help you understand what Virgin Atlantic covers, what it requires, and what steps you need to take before you make travel plans for your pet. Everything in this article is based on Virgin Atlantic’s published policies and requirements. We link directly to those documents throughout, so you can review them yourself.
Can You Fly With Your Pet on Virgin Atlantic?
The short answer is: pets do not automatically fly with you on Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic does not offer a simple “pets in the cabin” option like some other airlines. Instead, all animals are handled under specific conditions, and you must receive approval from the airline in advance before any animal is accepted for transport.
Virgin makes a clear distinction between:
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Assistance dogs, and
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All other animals (pets)
This distinction matters because the rules are different for each. You can read Virgin Atlantic’s official policy on animals in its Conditions of Carriage – Article 16.
What You Must Do Before Booking Any Travel With a Pet
Before booking flights or purchasing a crate, Virgin Atlantic expects you to do a few things first:
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Request approval from Virgin Atlantic to carry your animal. The airline is not obligated to carry a pet unless it has agreed to do so in advance.
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Make sure all documentation is complete. This includes health certificates, vaccinations, permits, and destination-specific requirements. Virgin places responsibility for correct paperwork on the pet owner. For more on documentation and preparation, see our Pet Moving Checklist article.
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Confirm that your pet meets Virgin’s transport conditions. If Virgin agrees to carry your pet, the animal must meet all of the airline’s published transport and container requirements.
Virgin’s position is straightforward: no approval + no compliance = no transport.
Assistance Dogs: What Virgin Atlantic Allows
Virgin does allow assistance dogs to travel with passengers in certain circumstances.
According to Virgin Atlantic’s Conditions of Carriage:
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Assistance dogs may be accepted if Virgin Atlantic agrees in advance.
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All required health, vaccination, and travel documents must be provided.
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Virgin Atlantic may refuse transport for safety, operational, or legal reasons (for example, if local laws would be violated or if the animal appears unwell).
What Happens If Virgin Agrees to Carry Your Pet?
If Virgin Atlantic approves your request to transport a pet, the airline then applies its Conditions of Carriage (linked above) and Container Requirements. These documents explain how animals must travel once accepted. These requirements do not guarantee acceptance. They explain the standards that apply if transport is approved.
Virgin Atlantic Breed Restrictions You Should Know About
Virgin Atlantic lists several breed-related restrictions in its Conditions of Carriage, including, but not limited to:
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Certain snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds, such as:
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Pugs
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Bulldogs
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Shih Tzus
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Persian cats
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Exotic Shorthair cats
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Dogs restricted under the UK Dangerous Dogs Act
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Additional restrictions during hot weather months (July and August) for certain crossbreeds
Virgin reserves the right to refuse transport based on breed, health risk, or environmental conditions.
Crate and Kennel Requirements
If your pet is approved to travel, Virgin Atlantic requires an IATA-approved travel kennel that meets specific standards.
According to Virgin Atlantic’s Pet Container Requirements:
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The crate must be made of rigid wood or hard plastic
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It must be non-collapsible
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Ventilation must be present on all four sides (not top or bottom)
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The base must be leak-proof
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Absorbent material must be placed inside
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A water dish must be attached inside of the door
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The locking system must be secure, with pins extending through the roof and floor
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The minimum accepted external size is 53 × 40 × 38 cm
Most importantly, the crate must allow your pet to:
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Stand upright
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Turn around
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Lie down comfortably
Learn more about How to Measure Your Dog for a Flight Kennel.
Other Important Pet Transport Rules
Virgin Atlantic also specifies that:
- Virgin will not accept pets younger than 15 weeks old for transport. This rule applies regardless of breed or size.
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Pets must not be sedated before travel
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Pets cannot wear collars or clothing (including calming collars)
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Only one pet per kennel is allowed, unless a special, divided crate is approved
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Virgin may refuse transport due to weather conditions that could endanger the animal
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Virgin may refuse or offload a pet if it shows signs of illness or distress
Final Takeaway for Pet Owners
Virgin Atlantic’s pet policies are best understood in simple terms:
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Pets do not fly automatically
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Approval must come first
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All transport, crate, and documentation rules must be followed exactly
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Final acceptance is always at the airline’s discretion
If you’re planning international or long-distance travel with a pet, coordinating these details can quickly become complex, especially when country regulations, airline policies, and timing all intersect. That’s where professional support can make a real difference.
If navigating those requirements feels overwhelming, especially for international travel, we can help. Our team specializes in coordinating complex pet travel logistics, documentation, and airline compliance, giving you confidence that your pet’s journey is planned correctly from the start. Get a free pet travel quote to get started!
