Booking

It is of utmost importance to us that all of our guests, including those travelling with infants, have a safe and enjoyable journey. We understand that infants and flights are not always the best combination, so we have gone to great lengths to ensure the comfort of our youngest guests.

Any guest 23 months or younger is classed as an infant, and must be accompanied by a guest 15 years of age and over, or the parent/legal guardian – who is 13 years of age and over.

Infants travel free on our domestic and international short haul service; and at 10% of the fare (excluding taxes, fees and surcharges) on our international long haul service – but only if they do not occupy a separate seat.

If you wish, you may purchase a seat for your infant for extra comfort. This seat will be charged at a child’s seat rate: of 75% of the fare (excluding taxes, fees and surcharges) on our international long haul service; and at full price on our domestic and international short haul services.

You can make infant bookings online or via our Guest Contact Centre.

Note: Any guest over 2 years of age, who is not yet 12 is classed as a child and must occupy a seat with their own ticket.

Bassinets

To facilitate the comfort of your infant, bassinets are available onboard our international long haul flights and domestic flights operated by A330 aircraft – subject to availability. Our bassinets are designed for infants only, and size and weight restrictions, as recorded in the tables below, apply.  

Bassinets are limited, so please request a bassinet for your infant at the time of booking. Pre-allocation of bassinets is on a first come, first served basis. Please contact our Guest Contact Centre to organise this facility.

Bassinet dimensions are as follows:

Before You Travel

Infants, like adults, need the proper travel documents to travel. It is best to organise valid passports and visas for your infant well in advance of your travel date. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website for further information about what travel documents you need.

Check-in

Please allow 60 minutes for domestic travel, and 2 hours for international travel when checking in with an infant. Check-in team members may request proof of date of birth – extracts or copies of birth certificates are acceptable, as are immunisation books.

Check-in Limits

Specific infant equipment can be carried free of charge on Virgin Australia domestic flights. All other infant baggage is included as part of the parent’s/guardian’s baggage allowance.

Items of specific infant equipment include, but are not restricted to:

• Pram/stroller
• Portable cot
• Car seat
• Baby capsule

Carry-on Baggage

Guests travelling with an infant may carry-on an extra bag containing articles for use in the cabin such as nappies or baby food.

Children up to 12 years of age, in addition to the checked baggage allowance, are permitted:

• One car seat
• One collapsible pram/stroller

In-flight

Infants must be nursed on an adult’s lap and restrained with an infant seatbelt whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated. Infants can occupy a seat, on their own ticket, but only in an approved child restraint system.

Crying Infants

Why do infants cry at certain times?
It is not uncommon for an infant to cry, and/or put their hands over their ears, during take-off and landing. Please do not be alarmed or feel embarrassed. Crying is a natural way for your infant to clear their ears – it is best to let them go.

How can I help prevent this?
To help prevent their discomfort, breastfeed or bottle-feed your infant when the aircraft begins take-off and during landing. If you are bottle-feeding, you may need to pack an extra bottle for the flight.

Cabin crew will heat bottles and assist you with preparing and washing bottles or pacifiers. There are no private areas set aside for breastfeeding, but you are welcome to feed your baby in your seat.

Baby-changing tables are available in selected onboard washrooms. For your own comfort and the comfort of fellow guests, we ask that you use these facilities rather than change your baby at your seat.