More than a year after announcing a bold plan to allow pets on planes, Virgin Australia has confirmed it finally has the all-clear to go ahead.

The airline first made the announcement in March 2024 but plans were stalled by a regulatory hurdle which recognised aeroplanes as restaurants, therefore not allowing pets onto cabins.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has now approved Virgin’s application to amend the food standards code, which will allow food and drinks to be served while pets are onboard.

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The food safety regulator said the risk of foodborne transmission of pathogens from pets was low “when risk management controls are in place”.

“Our assessment identified appropriate food safety controls to manage food safety risks if airlines choose to allow companion animals in cabins,” FSANZ chief executive Dr Sandra Cuthbert said.

“This proposed change would provide choice for travellers who have a small companion animal while maintaining in-flight food safety standards.”

Food ministers have 60 days to consider FSANZ’s decision and if no review is requested the changes will come into effect.

Virgin Australia said it was now one step closer to welcoming pets on board a select number of its flights.

“We look forward to sharing more details with travellers about our trial flights in the coming months,” it said.

As part of the approval pets will only be allowed in the aircraft cabin under under controlled conditions.

Passengers must book a pet friendly flight and only a small animal is permitted. The pets must be able to travel in a carrier with a combined weight of under 8kg.

The carrier has to fit under the seat in front of the passenger and that’s where the pet must stay the entire flight.

They will not be able to roam the cabin or sit on their owners’ lap.

There will be two rows on the plane allocated to passengers who are travelling with their pets.

Some passengers are not thrilled by the news, saying pets already had a space on a plane — underneath the plane in the cargo hold.

“There’s a place and a space for pets and (I’m) not keen on it,” one traveller at Brisbane Airport told 7NEWS.

“I think pets aren’t children. Why do they need to be on a plane with other people when ... they already have a space to fly as pets in a different section,” another said.

The new service remains a trial and feedback is welcomed.