Virgin Atlantic Airways Baggage Allowance & Cabin Bags

The size, weight, and number of items that passengers are allowed to bring on-board depends on their ticket types:

- Economy Class passengers can check in 1 bag of maximum 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 36 x 56 cm) in size and 22 lbs (10 kg) in weight;

- Upper Class passengers can check in 2 bags of maximum 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 36 x 56 cm) in size and Up to 26 lbs (12 kg) per bag, 35 lbs (16 kg) combined in weight.

In addition to the free carry-on baggage, passengers can bring the following on-board:

- A handbag, small backpack, a pocketbook or a purse;

- A reasonable amount of reading matter for the flight;

- A small amount of duty free goods;

- A small camera and/or pair of binoculars;

- An infant’s food (for consumption on the flight);

- An overcoat or wrap;

- An umbrella or walking stick (not pointed or sharp);

- Headphones for onboard use (with standard 3.5mm jack).

Again, the number of bags, the weight and size allowance vary between different boarding tickets, as detailed below:

- All Economy types passengers can check in one bag of maximum 50 lbs (23kg) in weight and 35.5 x 29.5 x 17 in (90 x 75 x 43 cm) in size;

- Premium Economy passengers can check in two bags of maximum 50 lbs (23kg) in weight and 35.5 x 29.5 x 17 in (90 x 75 x 43 cm) in size;

- Upper Class passengers can check in two bags of maximum 70 lbs (32kg) in weight and 35.5 x 29.5 x 17 in (90 x 75 x 43 cm) in size;

Passengers boarding Economy Light tickets aren’t allotted any free check-in baggage slot.

Exceptions

Passengers travelling on Economy tickets on flights from the UK to India, from the US & Canada to India, flights from the US to South Africa and flights from the UK/US to Lagos can check in 2 bags.

Passengers travelling on Premium Economy tickets on flights from the UK/US to India and from the US & Canada to India can check in 3 bags.

Passengers who are Gold members of Flying Club can check in one extra piece of baggage regardless of boarding ticket. That piece should comply with the size restrictions in the table above and should weigh no more than 50 lbs (23 kg).

Passengers can check in more than their allotted free baggage slots at a fee. Passengers can check up to the maximum of 10 bags per person, with the weight limits detailed in the checked baggage restrictions above.

Additionally, any baggage exceeding the weight limit in the table above will be considered to be an overweight bag. The same applies for oversized:

- Light passengers can purchase the 1st bag for £45, 2nd bag for £65, the 3rd to 7th bag for £140 each;

- Light passengers can purchase the 1st bag for free, 2nd bag for £65, the 3rd to 10th bag for £140 each;

- Premium and Upper Class passengers can purchase the first two bags for free, the 3rd to 10th bag for £140 each;

- Overweight bags will be surcharged for £65 each, while oversized bags will be surcharged £200 each.

Yes, you can.

If your musical instrument is small enough to fit into your hand baggage, by all means please do so. If it can’t quite fit into your handbag, then it will be considered to be one piece of luggage and you might have to pay extra.

If it’s a larger piece of equipment, you could check it into the hold, in which case it will be considered to be a piece of baggage by itself. However, if you want to keep it beside you, you could book an extra seat for it. Do refer to the Virgin Atlantic’s website for further details.

Yes, you can. Similar to musical instruments, you can check it in as a checked baggage, and it will be treated like any other checked baggage. However, dissimilar to musical instruments, there are specific restrictions for different types of equipment. Do refer to Virgin Atlantic’s website for further information.