Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy for Dogs

What dog owners need to know about Virgin Atlantic’s current cargo pet rules, crate standards, breed restrictions, and assistance dog procedures.

View Pet Policy Details

Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy Overview

Virgin Atlantic’s standard pet service is currently unavailable on its public booking page. Its published pet carriage documents still show that non-service dogs travel in the hold under cargo-style rules, while only approved assistance dogs may travel in the cabin.

In-Cabin Fee Not offered for pet dogs; only approved assistance dogs may travel in the cabin

Cargo Fee Not publicly listed by Virgin Atlantic; quote required via Virgin Atlantic Cargo or approved pet shipper

Carrier Dimensions (in-cabin) Not applicable for pet dogs because standard pets are not accepted in the cabin

Weight Limit (pet + carrier) No public combined weight limit found; crate must be sized to IATA live animal rules

Breeds Restricted Snub-nosed breeds including Pug, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffin, English Toy Spaniel/King Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Pekingese, English Bulldog; also Boerboel and Bully Kutta refused

Booking Method Advance approval required; public pet booking page says service is currently unavailable, and cargo bookings require direct arrangement

Minimum Pet Age 15 weeks

Cargo Crate Minimum Size 71 x 52 x 54 cm minimum external dimensions on current container document

Crate Type IATA-compliant rigid wood or hard-plastic container with leak-proof base and ventilation on 4 sides

Seasonal Restriction During July and August, Virgin Atlantic will not accept crosses with snub-nosed breeds and certain additional heat-sensitive breeds

Virgin Atlantic’s help page for booking a pet currently states that its pet service is unavailable. However, Virgin Atlantic’s published pet conditions and container requirement documents still outline the rules used for pet carriage in the hold. Those documents indicate that pet dogs are transported under cargo-style conditions, not as in-cabin pets. Only assistance dogs accompanying disabled passengers may be accepted in the cabin with prior approval and required documentation. Because Virgin Atlantic does not publish a standard pet fee table on its current public pages, owners should expect to request a custom quote and confirm route eligibility before making plans.

Last updated: 2026-03-25

How to Book Your Dog on Virgin Atlantic

Check whether Virgin Atlantic is currently accepting standard pets on your route. As of March 25, 2026, the airline’s public pet-booking page says its pet service is currently unavailable, so do not assume a booking can be added online. 2. If your dog is a trained assistance dog, contact Virgin Atlantic’s special assistance team before booking or as early as possible, because assistance dogs cannot be booked online and cabin space may be limited. 3. If your dog is not an assistance dog, prepare for cargo-style transport rather than cabin travel. Virgin Atlantic’s pet carriage documents require advance agreement before travel. 4. Confirm your dog is eligible by breed, age, and destination. Virgin Atlantic refuses several snub-nosed breeds, certain dangerous or prohibited breeds, pets younger than 15 weeks, and may apply destination-specific restrictions. 5. Measure your dog carefully and obtain an IATA-compliant rigid travel container. Virgin Atlantic’s current container document says the minimum accepted external size is 71 x 52 x 54 cm, but the actual crate must be sized to your dog using IATA live animal formulas so the dog can stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. 6. Gather all required paperwork for the destination, including vaccination, import, and health documents. Virgin Atlantic’s conditions of carriage place responsibility for correct paperwork on the passenger or shipper. 7. Contact Virgin Atlantic Cargo or an approved pet transport specialist to request a quote and handling instructions if standard pet carriage is available again for your route. Public pricing is not posted, so fees are typically confirmed case by case. 8. Before departure, make sure the crate has a leak-proof base, absorbent bedding, a water dish attached inside the door, proper ventilation, and secure locking points. Virgin Atlantic may refuse damaged or non-compliant containers on the day of travel. 9. Reconfirm any weather or seasonal restrictions close to departure, especially in July and August when additional snub-nosed-cross restrictions apply. 10. Arrive with extra time and keep emergency contact details available, since Virgin Atlantic’s pet conditions require an emergency contact who can collect the pet if needed.

Virgin Atlantic vs Other Airlines

Feature	Virgin Atlantic	British Airways	Delta Air Lines
In-Cabin Fee	Not offered for pet dogs; assistance dogs only	Not offered for pets; assistance dogs only	$150 each way within U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands for tickets issued on/after Apr 8, 2025; $200 international
Cargo Fee	Quote required; no public fee table found	Quote required via PetAir UK or IAG Cargo	Not listed on Delta pet overview for standard pets; many pets travel as cargo depending on route
Weight Limit	No public pet-plus-crate weight limit found	No public pet-plus-crate weight limit on BA pet page	No single published pet-plus-carrier weight cap on overview page; pet must fit comfortably in kennel
Carrier Size	No in-cabin pet carrier allowed; cargo container minimum 71 x 52 x 54 cm external and must meet IATA sizing rules	No in-cabin pet carrier for pets; hold transport arranged by partners	Soft-sided kennel recommended up to 18 x 11 x 11 in for most aircraft
Breeds Restricted	Snub-nosed breeds and some additional refused breeds; seasonal summer restrictions	Route and partner rules apply; check PetAir UK or IAG Cargo requirements	Destination and aircraft restrictions apply; partner-airline rules may differ
Booking Method	Advance approval required; public pet service page currently says unavailable	Arrange through PetAir UK from the UK or IAG Cargo to the UK	Contact Delta Reservations as soon as possible after booking

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my dog fly in the cabin on Virgin Atlantic?

For standard pet dogs, no. Virgin Atlantic’s published rules indicate that only approved assistance dogs accompanying disabled passengers may travel in the cabin.

Is Virgin Atlantic currently accepting pet bookings?

Its public pet-booking help page currently says the pet service is unavailable. You should verify the latest status directly with Virgin Atlantic before making plans.

How much does Virgin Atlantic charge to fly a dog?

Virgin Atlantic does not currently publish a standard public fee table for pet dogs on its public help pages. If carriage is available for your route, you will likely need a custom quote through cargo handling or a pet shipper.

What size crate does Virgin Atlantic require?

Virgin Atlantic’s current container document says the minimum accepted external container size is 71 x 52 x 54 cm, and the crate must also be sized to your dog under IATA live animal formulas so the dog can stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.

Are any dog breeds banned by Virgin Atlantic?

Yes. Virgin Atlantic refuses several snub-nosed breeds, including Pugs, Boston Terriers, Brussels Griffins, English Toy Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Pekingese, and English Bulldogs, plus Boerboel and Bully Kutta. Extra summer restrictions also apply to some crosses and heat-sensitive breeds.

What is the minimum age for a dog to fly on Virgin Atlantic?

Virgin Atlantic’s pet conditions say it refuses to carry pets younger than 15 weeks old.

How do I book an assistance dog on Virgin Atlantic?

Assistance dogs cannot be booked online. Virgin Atlantic says you should contact its special assistance team before booking if possible, and at least 48 hours before departure for arrangements.