Animals on planes either travel in the pressurized, climate-controlled cargo hold (often a designated section called "Hold Five") or, if small enough and meeting airline rules, in a carrier under the seat in the passenger cabin; service animals are usually allowed in the cabin with the owner. The cargo hold is designed to be safe, with similar pressure, temperature, and oxygen as the cabin, and the pet's crate is secured like luggage.
Your pet dog or cat is secured inside their IATA-compliant crate before boarding the flight. Most airlines ensure your pet boards and disembarks the aircraft on priority. The cargo hold has a special area for pets, and your pet's crate is secured in the plane in its designated space.
In most standard narrow-body aircraft, like Boeing 737s, the cargo area is located in the plane's belly, divided into a forward bin and a rear bin by the plane's engine and wings. This is where your pet will be during the flight.
Dogs and cats traveling with us will experience a similarly pressurized and climate-controlled aircraft compartment that our customers are used to in cabin. While your pet waits for their flight, they will be in a climate-controlled area until they are given a ride to their flight for departure.
Currently, Virgin Australia is the only Australian airline offering in-cabin pet travel (small dogs & cats) on specific domestic routes as a trial (started Oct 2025), with plans for wider rollout, while other airlines like Qantas and Jetstar generally only allow pets in cargo or as service animals, but this is changing rapidly, so check directly with the airline for current rules and routes.
Use a dog muzzle: If your dog is prone to barking excessively on planes or in public places, you may want to consider using a dog muzzle as a temporary measure. A dog muzzle can help prevent your dog from disturbing other passengers or causing trouble on the plane.
Pet seating
Your pet must stay inside their carrier for the entire flight. The carrier must remain closed and stowed under the seat in front of you until the aircraft has arrived and you're ready to disembark.
Quick answer: Most healthy cats and dogs hold it during flights. Give a last bathroom break before check-in, line the carrier/crate with an absorbent pad, and use airport pet-relief areas during layovers. Pets traveling as cargo have no mid-flight access, so prep the crate well and plan connections with enough time.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
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That's why the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against using tranquilizers or sedatives. In fact, airlines won't even accept sedated or tranquilized dogs and cats. Many of them won't even knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been or appears to have been sedated.
You may book an extra seat for your pet. However, the pet must be placed in their carrier in the floor space of the extra seat. Pets are not allowed to sit on the seat. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, your pet must remain inside the carrier under the seat in front of you.
Dogs typically travel in the aircraft's animal hold, which is located in the belly of the plane. It's a pressurised and temperature-controlled environment that's designed to be calm and quiet. The lights are dimmed to near darkness to help your dog settle down and get some rest.
Veterinary guidance on the needs of animals should be sought by caregivers for any proposed air travel. Dogs and cats should not be sedated for air transport. Medication of dogs and cats for air transport for anti-emetic and/or anxiolytic effects may be desired or required.
Pets have different digestive systems and can last a very long time without food. As many flights require your pet to be without food for long periods of time, we make sure they are supplied with plenty of water which can be topped up from the outside of their travelling crate.
Carry-on pets. On flights with American you can bring one pet carrier as a carry-on if: You pay the carry-on pet fee. Your pet stays in the pet carrier and under the seat in front of you the entire flight.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are being put to sleep. They may behave differently at this time generally because they feed off the emotions of their closest humans, who are understandably destraught. Plus they also getting all of this extra attention so they probably wonder what is going on!
Harvard psyhologists reveal that dogs dream of their humans
What you may not have realised however is, according to new research by Harvard psychologists, your dog is likely to be dreaming about you too – their human – the most important thing in their life.
For long nonstop flights, a diaper can be the best way to contain any urine outflows. Accustom your pet to wearing one well before the trip. Safe travels! This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr.
Instead of using water, airplane toilets use a vacuum mechanism to suck waste into a holding tank. The toilet system is safe to use while seated, as it is specifically tested that way. Avoid flushing unsuitable items to prevent blockages, which can be time-consuming and costly to fix.
New Cat? Set Realistic Expectations! You can expect that it will take your cat some time to get used to the new routines and environment. The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months.
Checked Bags: Yes
Dry or "moist" pet food is considered solid food.
Domestic flights within Australia for a small dog can cost between $80-$200, while larger dogs can cost between $300-$500.
Most of the time, dogs travel quite well, without needing medication. Some dogs, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your dog if he does not travel well.