Whether you travel with dogs or cats, we’re happy to fly both around the globe safely and securely in the hold. The hold is heated and air-conditioned just like the cabin.
Make sure your pet is allowed onboard (you’ll find details below). You’ll also need to make sure there’s enough space on your flight, so you should have a word with our Shipping department before you book your tickets:(Flights available for the movement of pets is subject to cancellation due to change in type of aircraft operating the route.)
We can fly your pet to and from the following destinations, exceptions do apply:
Antigua, Barbados, Boston, Chicago, Cape Town, Dubai, Hong Kong, JFK, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, St Lucia, and Washington.
- Please check with your local cargo office for days of operation as we do not accept pets daily on these flights
- We do not accept bookings for pets landing or leaving the UK on a Sunday
- We do not accept pets travelling to the USA over the weekend
- We do not accept pets leaving Orlando and Miami from 1 June through to and including 30 September
- We do not take direct bookings for pets travelling from South Africa. Please contact an IPATA pet agent who will be able to help you
- Currently we do not accept pets travelling to the UK from Hong Kong
We fly to some destinations several times a day. If you want to travel on the same flight as your pet, you can travel together on the following flights:
- JFK – VS045 / VS046
- Los Angeles – VS023 / VS024
- Newark – VS001 – / VS002
- Orlando – VS015 / VS016
- San Francisco – VS019 / VS020
Contact Details
Bookings from the UK: Tel: +44 (0)344 873 8000
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm (UK time)
Bookings from the USA: Tel: +1 800 828 6822 ext. 4
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm (UK Time)
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm (UK time)
For departures from Dubai:
To make a booking, please email virgin.shipping@fly.virgin.com
For departures from Barbados:
Please call: +1 246 420 7734
Email: Virgin.Shipping@fly.virgin.com
It is the owner’s responsibility, based on the regulations below to determine the correct sized travelling cage. As all dogs and cats are different sizes, we cannot advise you on what cage to obtain. If the cage is judged to be too small for your pet to safely travel on-board our flight, they will be refused travel.
- All cages must have a central locking mechanism
- The minimum size cage VAA will accept for travel is 53 x 40 x 38 centimeters (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
- Must be ventilated around all four sides – however the sides must not be ventilated at the top and the bottom as this will weaken the integrity of the container
- Have a leak-proof base
- Have absorbent material in the bottom – for the comfort of your pet
- Have a door forming one side of the box – either hinged or sliding
- 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.
Virgin Cargo: You also have the option of using Virgin’s Live Animal Shipping via cargo.