Virgin Atlantic Airways Baggage Policy

Note: The following reflects Virgin Atlantic Airways' baggage policy as of the latest available information in 2025. Policies vary by route, fare type (Economy Light, Economy Classic, Economy Delight, Premium, Upper Class), and Flying Club/SkyTeam membership. Passengers flying to/from Ghana, India, Nigeria, or South Africa may have different allowances.

Carry-On Baggage Allowance

All Virgin Atlantic passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item, except Upper Class passengers who may bring two carry-on bags. All items must fit in overhead bins or under the seat.

Fare/Class	Allowance	Maximum Dimensions	Maximum Weight	Notes
Economy (Light, Classic, Delight), Premium	1 carry-on + 1 personal item	Carry-on: 23 x 36 x 56 cm (9 x 14 x 22 in) Personal: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in)	Carry-on: 10 kg (22 lb) Personal: Not specified	Must fit in overhead bin or under seat; unaided placement required
Upper Class	2 carry-on + 1 personal item	Carry-on: 23 x 36 x 56 cm each Personal: 40 x 30 x 15 cm	Total: 16 kg (35 lb); single bag ≤12 kg (26 lb)	Weight strictly enforced
Infant (under 2 years, no seat)	1 carry-on + 1 stroller/car seat	Carry-on: 23 x 36 x 56 cm Stroller: Collapsible, fits overhead	Carry-on: 6 kg (13 lb)	Stroller checked free if no cabin space
Children (2+ years or infants with seat)	Same as adult for class	Same as adult	Same as adult	Includes stroller or car seat free
Flying Club Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus	+1 carry-on (same as class)	Same as class	Same as class	Priority handling with SkyPriority tags

Additional items (e.g., coat, umbrella, camera, binoculars, duty-free bags, infant food, reading material, assistive devices like wheelchairs/crutches) are free and do not count toward the allowance.
Liquids in carry-on are restricted to 100 ml containers in a 1-liter transparent, resealable bag (20 x 20 cm). Duty-free liquids in sealed bags are exempt.
Excess carry-on must be checked into the hold with applicable fees or removed. Additional hand baggage allowance cannot be purchased.
Laptops and large electronics must be removed for security screening.
Passengers must place carry-on in overhead bins unaided; assistance requires advance notification during medical clearance.

Checked Baggage Allowance

Virgin Atlantic uses the Piece Concept for most routes, with allowances varying by fare type, class, and route. Maximum dimensions per piece are 90 x 75 x 43 cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16 in).

Route/Class	Allowance	Max Weight per Bag	Max Dimensions	Notes
Economy Light (All Routes)	0 bags free	23 kg (50 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Hand baggage only fare
Economy Classic/Delight (Most Routes)	1 piece	23 kg (50 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Standard allowance
Economy Classic/Delight (UK/US/Canada to India, UK to Ghana)	2 pieces	23 kg (50 lb) each	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Enhanced allowance
Premium (Most Routes)	2 pieces	23 kg (50 lb) each	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Standard allowance
Upper Class (All Routes)	2 pieces	32 kg (70 lb) each	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Standard allowance; 3 pieces if booked before 9 Dec 2019
Infant (under 2 years, no seat, Most Routes)	1 piece + 1 stroller/car seat	10 kg (22 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Except Economy Light
Infant (under 2 years, no seat, Americas)	1 piece + 1 stroller/car seat	23 kg (50 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Except Economy Light
Flying Club Silver, SkyTeam Elite	+1 piece (23 kg)	23 kg (50 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Free extra piece
Flying Club Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus	+1 piece (23 kg)	23 kg (50 lb)	90 x 75 x 43 cm	Free extra piece

Bags over 32 kg (70 lb) or 90 x 75 x 43 cm are not accepted and must be shipped as cargo.
Economy Light infants can purchase one checked bag (50 GBP / 75 USD if booked on/after 28 Jul 2021; 45 GBP / 60 USD if booked before).
Codeshare flights (VS* flights with partners like Delta, Air France) follow Virgin Atlantic’s allowance as the marketing carrier.
Passengers report strict size and weight checks at check-in, especially at London Heathrow.

Excess and Oversized Baggage Fees

Fees apply for excess, overweight, or oversized baggage, with discounts for prepayment online 24 hours before departure. Up to 7 extra bags can be added online; 10 at the airport.

Route	Condition	Fee (One-Way, Approx.)
All Routes (Economy Light, Economy)	First Extra Bag (≤23 kg, ≤90 x 75 x 43 cm)	£65 / $100
All Routes	Second Extra Bag (≤23 kg)	£90 / $140
All Routes	Third+ Extra Bag (≤23 kg)	£140 / $200
All Routes	Overweight (23–32 kg)	£65 / $100 per bag
All Routes	Oversized (>90 x 75 x 43 cm)	£200 / $300 per bag

Fees are cumulative (e.g., overweight and oversized bags incur both fees).
Excess baggage is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Partner airline flights may have different fees; check with the operating carrier.

Special Baggage

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment counts toward checked baggage allowance if within limits; otherwise, excess fees apply. Advance notice is recommended.

Equipment	Allowance	Fee (One-Way)
Skis, Snowboards, Golf Clubs, Bicycles	≤23 kg, ≤190 x 75 x 65 cm	Free if within allowance; else £65–£140
Large Equipment (e.g., Surfboards)	Requires advance notice	£65–£200 based on size/weight

Equipment over 32 kg must be shipped via Virgin Atlantic Cargo.
Proper packaging required; no liability for normal wear and tear.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments can be carried as cabin baggage; larger ones require checking or an extra seat.

Cabin: Must fit within 23 x 36 x 56 cm (10 kg Economy/Premium, 12 kg Upper Class). Counts as carry-on.
Checked: Subject to standard or excess baggage fees; limited liability waiver may apply.
Extra Seat: Up to 75 kg (165 lb); book in advance, must be secured by seatbelt, placed by window away from exits.

Media Equipment

Media professionals (film, photography, journalism) may qualify for special media rates with valid ID or accreditation.

Cabin: Within standard carry-on limits (e.g., cameras, laptops).
Checked: Subject to standard fees; careful handling advised at security checkpoints.
Extra Seat: Up to 75 kg, advance booking required.

Pets

Only dogs and cats are allowed as checked baggage with advance approval.

Location	Weight (Pet + Carrier)	Fee (One-Way)
Hold	Not specified	Charged as excess baggage

Pets not allowed in the cabin; health certificates and approved carriers required.
Service animals travel free with documentation; advance notification required.

Prohibited Items

Certain items are restricted for safety and regulatory reasons.

Carry-on: Liquids over 100 ml (except duty-free in sealed bags), weapons, explosives, blue-flame lighters, compressed gases.
Checked: Loose lithium batteries, hoverboards, magnetized materials, toxic substances.
Valuables (e.g., money, jewelry, electronics) and medications should be in carry-on; airline not liable for loss in checked baggage.

Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Baggage

Virgin Atlantic follows the Montreal Convention for baggage issues.

Delayed: Report at the airport’s Lost and Found desk before leaving and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Claims within 21 days.
Damaged: Report within 7 days with a Damage Baggage Report; documented proof of purchase required.
Lost: File a claim within 7 days; compensation up to 1,519 SDR per passenger.
Higher liability requires a special declaration at check-in and a supplementary fee.

Additional Notes

Check-in: Online check-in available 24 hours to 70 minutes before departure; airport check-in closes 60 minutes prior. Check-in bags 3 hours before flights to/from Ghana, India, Nigeria.
Assistive Devices: Mobility aids (e.g., collapsible wheelchairs, walkers) are free if they fit in the cabin; advance notification required.
Flying Club/SkyTeam Benefits: Silver/Elite (+1 checked piece, 23 kg), Gold/Elite Plus (+1 checked piece, 23 kg, +1 carry-on).
Codeshare Flights: Virgin Atlantic’s allowance applies to VS* codeshare flights (e.g., with Delta, Air France); otherwise, check with the operating carrier.
Passengers report thorough weight and size checks at check-in, particularly at London Heathrow and US airports. Prepaying extra baggage online saves money.