Starting in October 2025, the airline will allow small pets (think cats and dogs) to fly alongside their owners in the cabin. This groundbreaking “Pets in Cabin” service kicks off with a trial run on flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast but will likely expand if it proves popular. Pets need to be healthy to fly, no sick pets, no pregnant ones, and no jet-setting for pups under eight weeks old. Why it mattersThis isn’t just a win for pet owners, it’s a huge boost for Australia’s tourism and pet travel industries. A recent survey even found that 63% of pet owners skip trips because they can’t take their pets with them.