Polynesian Blue Pet Policies
How to Book
We only accept domestic dogs and cats for pet travel; and only on domestic flights. For information on all other types of animals, or if you wish to send your pet overseas, please contact Toll Air Express.
To ensure there is room for your pet to travel on your flight, pet bookings must be made via our
Guest Contact Centre (GCC) (Internet discount fare will be honoured). Pets not booked via the GCC will be refused travel and sent as freight, on a different flight, at a higher fee.
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Virgin Australia accept a maximum of two pet cages per flight on A330, 737 and Embraer aircraft, and one cage per flight on ATR aircraft. For additional pets, exceeding this amount, please contact Toll Air Express.
Note: Working in collaboration with pet agents, we will accept cats and dogs to travel in the cargo hold of our aircraft on international long haul services. We are unable to accept bookings direct from guest, and recommend that all guests who wish to travel with their pets contact an approved international Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) pet agent.
Conditions of Pet Travel
Pets travel in the cargo hold, except for authorised Assistance Dogs.
To travel with us, your pet must:
Appear to be in good health
Not be unduly aggressive
Be over 8 weeks old. This is due to possible dehydration while travelling. For dogs or cats under 12 weeks old, we recommend you obtain a veterinary certificate, as some breeds are more susceptible to dehydration.
Be housed in a container which complies with the Virgin Australia guidelines for pet containers
If travelling into Tasmania, your dog must be treated for the Hydatids Tapeworm prior to arrival
A maximum of 2 cages per guest travelling is permitted, within aircraft type limitations.
Generally, only one pet may travel per cage, however, up to three pets can travel per cage if they meet the following criteria:
All from the same litter
Under 6 months old
Under 14kgs each
Quarantine Restrictions
When travelling with pets within Australia additional restrictions apply please visit the Quarantine Domestic website for more information. This site contains up-to-date information relating to the travel restrictions into all states and territories within Australia.
Guidelines for Pet Containers
The following container guidelines are designed to protect the welfare of dogs and cats travelling with us, whilst also complying with occupational health and safety legislation. We reserve the right to refuse carriage of pets that are not travelling in a container that complies with the following requirements...
The container must be:
Supplied by yourself or purchased from Toll Air Express
In good repair so that the dog or cat cannot escape
Not too small for the dog or cat
Lined with absorbent material so that no water or excreta can escape
Strong enough to withstand damage
Made of metal or a polypropylene material and must not have any wheels attached
Two part rigid plastic containers must have the top and bottom or side parts secured by screws or nuts and bolts
Must have escape proof hinges and latches and be adequately locked
When weighed complete with dog or cat, not exceed 65kgs
Must not be collapsible
Not exceed the following dimensions: 120cm x 80cm x 70cm
Note: Powerful and strong animals including Staffies, Pit Bulls, German Shepards, Dobermans, Rottweilers etc, can break through plastic and therefore need to be in a metal container.
Animal Health In-flight
If you wish to sedate your pet so it does not become anxious, contact your vet for expert advice. We do not take responsibility for the consequences of sedating pets prior to flying.
Your pet could become dehydrated when flying, so it is very important to ensure it has had some water prior to being checked in.
If your pet appears unwell or dehydrated at check-in, for the animal's benefit, we may refuse carriage on the flight.
Fees and Charges
Virgin Australia charges fees based on the combined weight of each container and the pet(s) which will travelling in that container.
Fees are non-refundable, and payable:
Per sector (a formal connection is classed as a single sector)
Per container
On check-in of your pet
Check-in Locations
You must check in your pet at least 90 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure - unless you are travelling on a flight that is scheduled to depart before 7am, in which case you must check in your pet 60 minutes prior to departure.
You must be the guest named on the booking, and you must present a copy of the itinerary confirming that the pet has been booked via our Guest Contact Centre at lodgement. If you are not the guest named on the booking, we will be unable to check in your pet. If you do not bring a copy of the itinerary, you will be charged at higher freight rates.
Check-in and collection locations vary from port to port. To find out where to check in and collect your pet, check the location list below.
TRAVELLING WITH AN ASSISTANCE DOG
What is an Assistance Dog?
An Assistance Dog accompanies a person who suffers from a disability other than a vision or hearing impairment.
Assistance Dogs on Domestic and International Short Haul Flights
Virgin Australia will only accept Assistance Dogs that have been appropriately trained, sufficient to pass a public access test by one of the following organisations:
Animal Assisted Therapy Australia Inc.
Assistance Dogs Australia
Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ) Inc
Australian Support Dogs Incorporated
Canine Partners as a Member of Assistance Dogs International
Registered Service Dogs Washington State USA (Business Licence #600236600)
A.W.A.R.E Dogs
Disability Aid Dogs
West Australian Assistance Dogs Inc.
Craig A Murray
Paws for Diabetics
Righteous Pups Australia
Canine Helpers for the Disabled Inc.
Organisations must meet or exceed the minimum standards set by:
Assistance Dogs International, or
Queensland Guide Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009
The owner of an Assistance Dog must carry a proof of identity card, showing the level of appropriate training attained, issued by one of the organisations listed above.
All other animals must travel in the hold of the aircraft.
Assistance Dogs on International Long Haul Flights
Assistance Dogs are accepted on international long haul flights provided they meet the requirements of the registered organisations below:
Animal Assisted Therapy Australia Inc.
Assistance Dogs Australia
Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ) Inc.
Australia Support Dogs Incorporated
Canine Partners as a Member of Assistance Dogs International
Registered Service Dogs, Washington State Business License #600 236 600.
Guests who are accompanied by an Assistance Dog must carry documentary evidence of the Assistance Dog's accreditation with one of the above organisations.
What is a Guide Dog?
A Guide Dog accompanies/assists a person who has a vision or hearing impairment.
Guide Dogs on Domestic and International Short Haul Flights
Guide Dogs are permitted by law to accompany their handler in all public places, provided that they have the proper credentials as listed below:
Guide Dogs must have a medallion on their collar with their Guide Dog registration number.
The handler must carry a laminated pass, showing their name, as well as their dog's name.
Guide dog must have passed a public access test.
Guide Dogs are permitted in the cabins of all our aircraft when they are travelling with their owner and the owner is entirely dependent on the Guide Dog for mobility.
Note: Guide Dogs must be harnessed.
Guide Dogs on International Long Haul Flights
Virgin Australia international long haul flights accept all certified/registered Guide Dogs accompanying a guest who is visually or hearing impaired.
Guide Dogs must be trained and accredited by their applicable Guide Dog Association under the banner of Guide Dogs Australia or America.
Guide Dogs are permitted in the cabins of all our aircraft when they are travelling with their owner and the owner is entirely dependent on the Guide Dog for mobility.
Guide Dogs must have a medallion on their collar with their Guide Dog registration number.
Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs in Training
Virgin Australia permits Guide and Assistance Dogs in training onboard when accompanied by an accredited trainer who may not be visually or hearing impaired.
Virgin Australia accepts all registered Guide Dogs in training; and Assistance Dogs in training from the following registered organisations:
Animal Assisted Therapy Australia Inc
Assistance Dogs Australia
Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ) Inc
Australia Support Dogs Incorporated
Canine Partners as a Member of Assistance Dogs International
Registered Service Dogs, Washington State Business License #600 236 600.
Guests who are accompanied by an Assistance Dog must carry documentary evidence of the Assistance Dog's accreditation with one of the above registered organisations.
Important Information for the Carriage of Guide and Assistance Dogs in the Cabin
The dog must be fully trained, or if in training, it must be harnessed, wearing an identifying coat and accompanied by a trainer.
Handlers must supply a suitable restraint for the dog in-flight.
The dog must be seated on an absorbent mat for the duration of the flight, as supplied by the handler.
Please prepare your dog for the journey by exercising and limiting its fluid intake for several hours before boarding the aircraft. Note: Virgin Australia international long haul flights can be up to 14 hours duration.
If you are travelling on our international long haul services with a group and there are 10 or more Guide/Assistance Dogs travelling with you, please contact Virgin Australia at least 10 days before departure so that we can ensure your needs are met onboard.
Only two Guide/Assistance Dogs per flight are permitted to travel on our domestic and international short haul services.
How to Book
If you intend to fly with a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog you must make your booking through our Guest Contact Centre (Internet discount fare will be honoured).
Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are carried free of charge.
Note: These guidelines are only applicable on flights operated by Virgin Australia. If you are travelling on a Codeshare flight with another carrier, you and your dog must meet that carrier's requirements.
Important: Guide/Assistance Dogs travelling on international flights may be subject to specific Quarantine requirements. Guests are responsible for ensuring all requirements are met prior to travel.
Unaccompanied Pets
If you wish to send a pet unaccompanied, please contact Toll Air Express.
Please be aware that Broome, Canberra, Proserpine, and Rockhampton do not have Toll Air Express offices and therefore cannot accept unaccompanied pets travelling from this location - however unaccompanied pets flying into these ports are accepted.
Pet transport from these locations can be organised through Dogtainers or Jet Pets.
Jet Pets
1300 668 309
[email protected]
Dogtainers
1300 135 252
[email protected]
Oz Pet
0400 403 777
[email protected]
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