A1314 - Permitting small dogs and cats in aircraft cabins

Published

On 13 August 2025, changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) were gazetted to permit food to be served when pet cats and dogs are present in an aircraft cabin.

The application, submitted by Virgin Australia Pty Ltd, sought approval to allow airline businesses operating in Australia to continue serving food to customers as part of in-flight service when pet cats and dogs are onboard.

We assessed the microbiological food safety risks and found that, with appropriate risk management controls in place, the presence of pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins presents a low risk to passengers.

Risk management measures include:

  • secure containment of animals
  • preventing contact between animals and food handlers
  • maintaining food hygiene.

The amendment to the Code gives airlines operating in Australia and serving food in-flight the discretion to allow pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins, provided all relevant food safety requirements are met.

 

What's changing?

  • New food safety clause:  Clause 24 of Standard 3.2.2 will permit food service when pet  cats and dogs are present in an aircraft cabin, under controlled conditions.

What’s not changing?

  • Food safety requirements: Airlines remain food businesses under the Code and must continue to meet all relevant food safety standards, including:
    o    Standard 3.2.2 Food safety practices and general requirements
    o    Standard 3.2.2A Food safety management tools
    o    Standard 3.2.3 Food premises and equipment
  • Pilot authorisation: Under civil aviation rules, the pilot determines whether any animal is permitted inside the aircraft cabin. This change does not alter that authority.
  • Assistance animals: Airlines can continue to permit assistance animals, such as guide dogs, in aircraft cabins without the need for containment.
  • Australia-only application: Chapter 3 of the Code applies to food businesses in Australia. These changes do not apply to airlines operating in New Zealand.

Why this matters:

  • Supports safe food outcomes: Food served on board aircraft remains safe.
  • Consumer choice: Enables more flexible travel options for pet owners on selected domestic flights.
  • Clarity for industry: Confirms how food can be safely served when pet cats and dogs are present in aircraft cabins.

Consultation and assessment

The application was assessed under FSANZ’s general procedure and included one round of public consultation. We released a public call for submissions in March 2025.

Read our media release 

Feedback from this consultation, along with our scientific assessment and engagement with stakeholders, informed our final decision and the development of the updated standard.

Read our full assessment and the approved changes in the approval report.

Approval report

Call for submissions

Click here to view the submissions from the consultation.

Administrative assessment

Air transportation of animals

This application to FSANZ relates only to allowing pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins from a food safety perspective.

Other matters, such as airline-specific safety measures, cabin crew enforcement of hygiene requirements and animal health during travel, fall outside the scope of food regulation.

These responsibilities sit with civil aviation and border control agencies, and states and territories. In Australia, this includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the Department of Home Affairs and jurisdictional health authorities.