A German city has been deemed the most pet-friendly city in the world, thanks to 75 per cent of the hotels being pet friendly.

New data from Pet Delight shows that Frankfurt is the best city to travel with animals by a long shot.

It’s not just the hotels that make Frankfurt pet friendly. Pet Delight says most cafes, bars and restaurants will allow pets inside.

In second place there’s Washington, but only 57.42 per cent of hotels are pet friendly, and Munich came in third with 57.40 per cent welcoming four-legged friends.

Cities with the most pet-friendly hotels:

1. Frankfurt, Germany: 75.29 per cent
2. Washington, US: 57.42 per cent
3. Munich, Germany: 57.40 per cent
4. Zurich, Switzerland: 53.49 per cent
5. New York, US: 47.83 per cent
6. Stockholm, Sweden: 41.21 per cent
7. Vancouver, Canada: 41.08 per cent
8. Prague, Czech Republic: 40.05 per cent
9. Los Angeles, US: 38.85 per cent
10. Berlin, Germany: 38.21 per cent

No Australian city made the top 10; however, that might need to change now that a major airline will be allowing pets to board within the next 12 months.

Virgin announces pet-friendly flights

On Thursday, Virgin announced its intention of being the first airline in Australia to allow pets in the cabin.

In the US, majority of airlines allow pets in the cabin on domestic routes, but no Australians airline allows passengers to take their furry friends onboard in the cabin.

Back in 2021, Virgin Australia conducted a survey on social media which found 85 per cent of the respondents were in favour of the airline allowing pets in the cabin.

“In more recent research conducted by Virgin Australia with Australian pet owners, nearly 70 per cent of respondents advised they would travel with their pet in the cabin, with 57 per cent saying they would fly more regularly if the service was a reality,” Virgin said in a press release.

Virgin Australia might soon allow small pets in the cabin. Photo: Virgin Australia

There are no guarantees as of yet, as Virgin is awaiting regulatory approval, however, given the airline’s track record, they could be the leaders of another trend.

“Innovation has always been a hallmark of Virgin Australia,” Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka said.

“We were the first airline in the country to offer online check in. This year we were the first Australian airline to launch baggage tracking and a fully integrated self-service disruption management tool. It’s this innovation and first-to-market drive that underpins who we are in the market.”

Planes won’t be overrun by cats and dogs if Virgin gets the initiative off the ground – there will be a few parameters.

Only smalls cats and dogs will be able to be in the cabin on specific domestic routes and there will be a limited number of designated rows for pets.

Also, there will be no sitting on laps or roaming down the aisles. Pets will need to be in a Virgin-approved pet carrier under the seat in front for the whole flight.

If and when the initiative takes off, Virgin will still offer pets being transported through cargo.