Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited (operating as Virgin Atlantic) is a British airline owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group (51%) and Singapore Airlines (49%). It is headquarters is in Crawley, West Sussex, England, near Gatwick Airport. Virgin Atlantic operates between the UK and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Virgin Atlantic’s Pet Policy

The rules for pet transportation vary depending on your country and destination and require different documents and paperwork to be completed before departing or arriving at your destination. On some aircrafts and certain destinations, pets my be restricted or limited. When booking your flights, indicate whether or not you plan to travel with your pet.

Transport Rules

Virgin Atlantic only accept cats and dogs on their flights. However, they don’t accept snub or pug nose breeds like Pekingese or Persians, or any dog listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. They are accepted only in baggage, not in the cabin.

All pet bookings need to be made a minimum of 7 days prior to departure. For pets traveling from South Africa and Dubai they only accept bookings from appointed IPATA agents. For a list of agents, please visit the IPATA website at www.IPATA.org.

The cost of taking your dog or cat on one of Virgin Atlantic’s flights depends on a combination of the size of its carrier, destination and time of year. Call them with the length, height and width of the box and they’ll be able to give you an exact quote.

Important Tip:
Pets who travel with their owners are safely secured in the hold, which is heated and air-conditioned like the cabin. For more information, look at their conditions of carriage.

Pets in the Baggage Compartment: Virgin Atlantic’s Policy

  • Your pet must travel in a container that is ventilated
  • All cages must be able to lock securely
  • The minimum size cage VAA will accept for travel is 53 x 40 x 38 cms (21 x 16 x 15 inches)
  • Be made of wood or hard plastic
  • Be rigid on all sides (non-collapsible) and not have a roof with a grill that opens
  • Have an appropriate sized water dish attached to the inside of the cage door
  • Be big enough to allow your pet to lie down, turn around and stand up – leaving at least 5cm (2”) between the top of your pet’s head and the roof of the box

For more details about Virgin Atlantic’s Pet Policy, please view this page of their website.

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  1. Can I take my emotional support dog in the cabin on a flight from the UK to the USA?