Before heading to the airport with Virgin Australia, it’s a good idea to check the baggage rules. They aren’t the same for everyone, they depend on your ticket type, the class in which you’re traveling, and your Velocity Frequent Flyer status.
Carry-on baggage allowances:
The number of carry-on bags allowed, as well as their maximum weight, varies depending on your travel class and your status in the Velocity program.
– Economy Class (including Velocity Red and Silver):
- 1 carry-on bag to be placed in the overhead compartment: maximum 8 kg, dimensions L56 x W36 x H23 cm
- + 1 personal item (handbag, backpack, laptop bag, etc.) to be placed under the seat in front of you: dimensions L45 x W33 x H20 cm
- No single item may exceed 8 kg
– Business Class:
Business Class Economy X, and Velocity Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus statuses
Choice of three options, for a combined total of 14 kg* (no single bag may exceed 8 kg):
1. One standard bag (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
2. Two small bags (48 x 34 x 23 cm each)
3. One standard bag + one garment bag (garment bag: 114 x 60 x 11 cm)
In all cases, one additional personal item is permitted (under the seat).
Good to know: Since February 2026, Velocity Red and Silver members have the same cabin baggage allowance as regular Economy passengers—additional allowances now only apply to Gold status and above.
If your cabin baggage exceeds the weight or size limits, it will need to be checked in, potentially incurring additional charges. On flights operated by Alliance Airlines or Link Airways on behalf of Virgin Australia, the standard Economy baggage allowance always applies, regardless of class or status.
Items prohibited in the cabin:
Certain items do not pass security screening and must be placed in the hold (or are simply not allowed on board):
– Tools: saws, screwdrivers, hammers, multi-tools
– Firearms of any kind
– Sharp scissors or blades longer than 6 cm
– Distress flares, fireworks
– Tasers, pepper spray, and other incapacitating devices
– Baseball/softball/cricket bats, pool cues, hockey sticks, golf clubs
– Martial arts equipment (nunchucks, brass knuckles)
– Gasoline and other fuels
– Cable ties and handcuffs (items that can be used to restrain a person)
– Knives (including pocket knives and box cutters)
– Wide adhesive tape (that can be used to restrain a person).
Items accepted in the Cabin (for guidance only): aerosols with a cap or locking device (less than 100 ml internationally), electronic cigarettes, forks with rounded ends, scissors with rounded ends less than 6 cm long, knitting needles, disposable or safety razors.
Inflatable items (sports balls, inflatable toys, buoys) must be completely deflated to travel in the cabin; otherwise, they must be checked in.
If a prohibited item is found during security checks, you will either have to find another way to transport the item or abandon it at the airport (confiscated items are not returned).
– Baby food: Infant formula, breast milk, sterilized water and baby juice are accepted beyond the usual liquid limits, in reasonable quantities for the flight.
Checked baggage allowances:
The allowance varies depending on the fare purchased and Velocity status:
|
Fare |
Status |
Checked Baggage Included |
|
Choice / Flex / Economy Reward |
Non-member / Red | 1 bag x 23 kg |
| Silver / Gold |
2 bags x 23 kg |
|
|
Platinum / Platinum Plus |
3 bags x 23 kg | |
| Business / Business Reward | All statuses |
2 bags x 32 kg (3 for Platinum) |
The maximum weight allowed per bag is 32 kg (strict limit); exceeding this limit, the bag must be shipped via Cargo service. The total dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 140 cm.
On some short-haul international routes, Economy passengers can check one 23kg bag and Business passengers two 32kg bags.
Prohibited items in the hold (Dangerous goods):
Certain items are strictly prohibited, both in the cabin and in the hold: explosives, pressurized gases, flammable products, and infectious substances. Others are permitted in limited quantities and require informing the staff: alcoholic beverages, aerosols, dry ice, and certain medical devices. Weapons and ammunition, when permitted, must be transported in the hold and never in the cabin.
For batteries and hazardous items (external batteries/power banks, spare batteries, loose batteries, e-cigarettes, cordless hair straighteners, wireless headphone charging cases), the rule is reversed: they must be transported in the cabin, never in the hold.
For any specific questions (medical items, sports equipment, large musical instruments, oxygen cylinders), it is recommended to contact Virgin Australia directly before your flight.
Transporting liquids:
– On domestic flights (within Australia):
There are no restrictions on the quantity of liquids, powders, aerosols, and gels in the cabin. Aerosols may simply need to be removed from your baggage at the time of security screening.
– On international flights:
Standard international civil aviation regulations apply:
– Each container: maximum 100 ml
– All containers must fit in a single transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one liter
– Only one such bag is permitted per passenger, and it must be presented separately at security
– Any container exceeding 100 ml will not be accepted at security and cannot be retrieved from checked baggage once checked.
In checked baggage: powders, liquids, aerosols, and gels are still permitted, subject to the restrictions applicable to dangerous goods (limited quantities for alcohol, for example, with the requirement to inform staff when exceeding certain limits).
Duty free exception: Duty free purchases made in the international zone are accepted in quantities exceeding 100 ml if placed in a tamper-evident sealed bag (STEB) and accompanied by the purchase receipt, except in the case of a connection via another international checkpoint, where local rules may apply.
Special baggage allowance (Sports equipment and others):
– Strollers and baby equipment: Up to 3 items (folding stroller, travel cot, car seat/infant carrier) can be checked free of charge on Choice, Flex, and Business fares; a compact folding stroller can also be taken in the cabin if it meets the standard size and weight limits (8 kg max), but it then replaces the main cabin baggage allowance.
– Sports Equipment (surfboards, bicycles, golf clubs, cricket bags, ski equipment): Counts as standard checked baggage, with additional charges only if the number of items exceeds the allowed limit.
– Wheelchairs and mobility aids: Always transported free of charge for personal use.
– Service animals: Up to 3 specific items can be checked free of charge.
Excess baggage fees and charges:
Three scenarios result in charges:
– Extra baggage (beyond the allowance included in the fare): charged extra, either when purchased online or at the airport,
– Overweight baggage (between 23 kg and 32 kg when the allowance is 23 kg): excess weight fee,
– Purchasing additional baggage allowance in advance**: always cheaper than paying directly at the airport.
Typical ranges (exact prices vary depending on the route, date, and method of purchase):
– Additional domestic baggage: from approximately AUD 67 online, up to over AUD 170 at the airport
– Additional international baggage: from approximately AUD 87 online
– Overweight fee (23-32 kg): from approximately AUD 65 domestically and up to approximately AUD 110 international.
Practical Tip: Always purchase your extra baggage in advance via “Manage Your Booking” rather than at the check-in counter, where the price is consistently higher. Payment at the airport is by card only (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), cash is not accepted. Also note that hold space is not guaranteed: the airline may refuse extra baggage if the plane is full.
Passengers traveling in Choice, Flex, or Business class may not always be able to purchase additional baggage allowance online: they are only covered by their included allowance and the allowance associated with their Velocity status.
The prices and allowances shown are indicative and may vary depending on the route, travel date and changes to Virgin Australia’s policy. Before purchasing excess baggage, it is recommended to check the exact allowance in the “Manage your booking” section.