Oversized and Fragile Items

Domestic definition

• Oversized baggage can be checked in, provided each item does not exceed 32kg in weight. Items heavier than 32kg must be shipped as Freight.
• Non-standard baggage items that are not sporting equipment or infant items will be weighed at check-in and charged according to their actual weight. This includes musical instruments.
• Wheelchair/mobility aids are carried free of charge – if required for personal use by a guest booked to travel on our service.
• Domestic Guests travelling with a child (2–11 years old) on our domestic network, are allowed to check in one car seat or booster seat (per child travelling) free of charge.

Excess Baggage Charges

Excess baggage is charged per piece and can be pre-purchased as additional pieces to the included allowances or purchased by pieces at the airport at a higher rate.

Note: Excess baggage fees are subject to change at any time without notice.

• Excess baggage fees charged at check-in can be paid by credit card, cash and EFTPOS.
• We cannot guarantee that additional baggage will be carried. This is at our sole discretion and is subject to aircraft loads.
• See Checked Baggage for Baggage Fee Pricing.

Maximum Limits

Oversized baggage can be checked in, provided each piece does not exceed 32kg in weight. Guests with baggage pieces heavier than 32kg each should contact Freight Services on 13 15 06 before arriving at the airport.

Note:

• Please distribute weight equally between bags when travelling with multiple bags.

Virgin Australia’s fleet includes a number of different aircraft types, all of which have slightly different operational limitations that affect the weight and size of the baggage they can carry.

Virgin Australia will make all reasonable efforts to transport oversized items on the same flight as their owners, but we cannot guarantee that this will be the case.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by guests who are travelling. For further information on travelling with assistance view our Mobility Assistance page.

Due to restrictions in our aircraft hold space there is a limit on the amount of electric wheelchairs/mobility aids permitted per flight. The maximum amount and dimensions of electric wheelchairs/mobility aids are as below:

Note:

• All items must be properly packaged, so that they do not cause damage to our aircraft or guest baggage.

Sports Equipment

Each item of sporting equipment represents one piece of checked baggage allowance, provided that it does not exceed the maximum size and weight limits.

Note:

• If you are travelling on a Saver fare with only sporting goods you will be required to purchase a checked baggage allowance for each separate piece you are carrying. We advise you to pre-purchase baggage online or by calling our Guest Contact Centre. Baggage allowances added/bought at the airport will be charged at a higher fee.
• If you are travelling on a Saver Lite fare with only sporting goods you will be required to upgrade to a Saver fare to receive a checked baggage allowance. This can be done at the time of booking or by calling our Guest Contact Centre.

Sporting equipment includes but is not restricted to:

• Bikes
• Golf clubs
• Snow skis/ Snowboards
• Surfboards
• Cricket/tennis bags

Travelling with a Bike

Bicycles will only be accepted as checked baggage if packaged in a hard or soft manufactured bike box. Bike boxes may be purchased at the airport check-in counter. Before bicycles can be accepted for uplift, they must be packaged as follows:

Generally, the following applies to disassemble a bike:

• Turn handle bars sideways, and secure to frame. It may be necessary to remove the front wheel
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post
• Remove any accessories
• Deflate bicycle tyres

When packing a bike, remember to:

• Place any loose accessories such as pedals or water bottles into a bag then place in the box. Ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box.
• Seal the box, and label it with your name, and contact phone number.
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box.

Note:

• If a bike is not packed according to Virgin Australia's requirements, or is not checked in prior to one hour before departure, we will not be able to accept the bike for travel.

We recommend that guests pre-purchase a box and pack their bike at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure it is ready on time. Bike boxes can be purchased the airport for $15.00.

Travelling with a Surfboard

Surfboards may only be accepted onboard if packaged in a protective covering, with padded protection around the fin area. Virgin Australia recommends surfboard fins be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment.

Travelling with Skis or a Snowboard

Snow skis and snowboards may only be accepted onboard as checked baggage if packaged in a protective skis/snowboard bag.

Musical Instruments

Guests may take small musical instruments onboard as carry-on baggage provided that each instrument does not exceed dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm (total linear dimensions 142cm). As an example only, many violins fit within these dimensions, while most guitars do not.

An instrument replaces one of the guest’s pieces of carry-on baggage (equivalent to a piece with total linear dimensions of 105cm), and the weight counts toward the guest’s 7kg total carry-on allowance.

Guests are asked to measure their musical instrument before arriving at the airport. It is recommended that guests board their aircraft promptly in order to stow their instrument in an overhead locker.

Larger musical instruments (exceeding dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm) are not allocated an additional baggage allowance and are managed as follows:

• A musical instrument is considered to be a piece of baggage for the purposes of our baggage policy.
• Any musical instrument that weighs between 23kg and 32kg is charged as overweight baggage if it exceeds the guests included baggage allowance. Baggage allowances can be found under Checked Baggage .
• Any musical instrument over 32kg must be sent as Freight.
• Guests who wish to travel with a cello or guitar in the cabin must purchase an additional seat. For further information please contact the Guest Contact Centre .

Seafood, Meat and Frozen Products

We will only accept seafood/meat/frozen products as checked baggage when packed in the following way:

• Solid plastic/fibreglass Eskies or Styrofoam boxes with lids. Note: Soft-sided cooler bags and cardboard boxes are NOT permitted.
• Eskies and Styrofoam boxes must be robust, watertight and in good condition.
• Seafood/meat/frozen products must be sealed in watertight plastic bags or sealable containers.
• Wet ice must be packed separately from frozen products, in sealed watertight plastic bags or sealable containers, e.g. frozen water bottles.
• Absorbent material must be placed in the base of the box/Esky.
• The total weight of each container, including contents, must not exceed 20kg each. Containers weighing more than 20kg must be referred to Freight.
• Products must be packaged in a container that does not contain any other items.

Note:

• Live seafood (e.g. crayfish and mud crabs) must not be carried as checked baggage. If you wish to transport live seafood you must contact Freight Services.

Non-standard Items

Non-standard baggage items that are not sports equipment or infant items are considered as part of a guest’s piece allowance.

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by a guest who is travelling.

Note: The only item that can occupy a seat (apart from a guest) is a cello. If you are travelling with a cello please call our Guest Contact Centre to book an extra seat.

International short haul definition

• Oversized baggage can be checked in, provided each item does not exceed 32kg in weight. Items heavier than 32kg must be shipped as Freight.
• Non-standard baggage items that are not sporting equipment or infant items will be weighed at check-in and charged according to their actual weight. This includes musical instruments.
• Wheelchair/mobility aids are carried free of charge – if required for personal use by a guest booked to travel on our service.

Excess Baggage Charges

Excess baggage is charged per piece and can be pre-purchased as additional pieces to the included allowances or purchased by pieces at the airport at a higher rate.

Note: Excess baggage fees are subject to change at any time without notice.

• Excess baggage fees charged at check-in can be paid by credit card, cash and EFTPOS.
• We cannot guarantee that additional baggage will be carried. This is at our sole discretion and is subject to aircraft loads.
• See Checked Baggage for Baggage Fee Pricing.

Maximum Limits

Oversized baggage can be checked in, provided each piece does not exceed 32kg in weight. Guests with baggage pieces heavier than 32kg each should contact Freight Services on 13 15 06 before arrive at the airport.

Note:

• Please distribute weight equally between bags when travelling with multiple bags. 

Virgin Australia’s fleet includes a number of different aircraft types, all of which have slightly different operational limitations that affect the weight and size of the baggage they can carry.

Virgin Australia will make all reasonable efforts to transport oversized items on the same flight as their owners, but we cannot guarantee that this will be the case.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by guests who are travelling. For further information on travelling with assistance view our Mobility Assistance page.

Due to restrictions in our aircraft hold space there is a limit on the amount of electric wheelchairs/mobility aids permitted per flight. The maximum amount and dimensions of electric wheelchairs/mobility aids are as below:

Note:

• All items must be properly packaged, so that they do not cause damage to our aircraft or guest baggage.

Sports Equipment

Each item of sporting equipment represents one piece of the checked baggage allowance, provided that it does not exceed the maximum size and weight limits.

Sporting equipment includes but is not restricted to:

• Bikes
• Golf clubs
• Snow skis/snowboards
• Surfboards
• Cricket/tennis bags

Note:

• If you are travelling on a Saver fare with only sporting goods you will be required to purchase a checked baggage allowance for each separate piece you are carrying. We advise you to pre-purchase baggage online or by calling our Guest Contact Centre. Baggage allowances added/bought at the airport will be charged at a higher fee.
• If you are travelling on a Saver Lite fare with only sporting goods you will be required to upgrade to a Saver fare to receive a checked baggage allowance. This can be done at the time of booking or by calling our Guest Contact Centre.

Travelling with a Bike

Bicycles will only be accepted as checked baggage if packaged in a hard or soft manufactured bike box. Bike boxes may be purchased at the airport check-in counter. Before bicycles can be accepted for uplift, they must be packaged as follows:

Generally, the following applies to disassemble a bike:

• Turn handle bars sideways, and secure to frame. It may be necessary to remove the front wheel
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post
• Remove any accessories
• Deflate bicycle tyres

When packing a bike, remember to:

• Place any loose accessories such as pedals or water bottles into a bag then place in the box. Ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box.
• Seal the box, and label it with your name, and contact phone number.
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box.

Note:

• If a bike is not packed according to Virgin Australia's requirements, or is not checked in prior to one hour before departure, we will not be able to accept the bike for travel.

We recommend that guests pre-purchase a box and pack their bike at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure it is ready on time. Bike boxes can be purchased the airport for $15.00.

Travelling with a Surfboard

Surfboards may only be accepted onboard if packaged in a protective covering, with padded protection around the fin area. Virgin Australia recommends surfboard fins be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment.

Travelling with Skis or a Snowboard

Snow skis and snowboards may only be accepted onboard as checked baggage if packaged in a protective skis/snowboard bag.

Musical Instruments

Guests may take small musical instruments onboard as carry-on baggage provided that each instrument does not exceed dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm (total linear dimensions 142cm). As an example only, many violins fit within these dimensions, while most guitars do not.

An instrument replaces one of the guest’s pieces of carry-on baggage (equivalent to a piece with total linear dimensions of 105cm), and the weight counts toward the guest’s 7kg total carry-on allowance.

Guests are asked to measure their musical instrument before arriving at the airport. It is recommended that guests board their aircraft promptly in order to stow their instrument in an overhead locker.

Larger musical instruments (exceeding dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm) are not allocated an additional baggage allowance and are managed as follows:

• A musical instrument is considered to be a piece of baggage for the purposes of our baggage policy.
• Any musical instrument that weighs between 23kg and 32kg is charged as overweight baggage. If it exceeds the guests included baggage allowance. Baggage allowances can be found under Checked Baggage
• Any musical instrument over 32kg must be sent as Freight.
• Guests who wish to travel with a cello or guitar in the cabin must purchase an additional seat. For further information please contact the Guest Contact Centre.

Seafood, Meat and Frozen Products

We will only accept seafood/meat/frozen products as checked baggage when packed in the following way:

• Solid plastic/fibreglass Eskies or Styrofoam boxes with lids. Note: Soft-sided cooler bags and cardboard boxes are NOT permitted.
• Eskies and Styrofoam boxes must be robust, watertight and in good condition.
• Seafood/meat/frozen products must be sealed in watertight plastic bags or sealable containers.
• Wet ice must be packed separately from frozen products, in sealed watertight plastic bags or sealable containers, e.g. frozen water bottles.
• Absorbent material must be placed in the base of the box/Esky.
• The total weight of each container, including contents, must not exceed 20kg each. Containers weighing more than 20kg must be referred to Freight.
• Products must be packaged in a container that does not contain any other items.

Note:

• Live seafood (e.g. crayfish and mud crabs) must not be carried as checked baggage. If you wish to transport live seafood you must contact Freight Services.
• You must satisfy Customs and Quarantine requirements for your port of entry. If you do not, your products may be confiscated.

For more information on Customs and Quarantine requirements to import seafood into Australia or New Zealand:

• Australia: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 
• New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries 

Non-standard Items

Non-standard baggage items that are not sports equipment or infant items are considered as part of a guest’s piece allowance.

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by a guest who is travelling.

Note: The only item that can occupy a seat (apart from a guest) is a cello. If you are travelling with a cello please call our Guest Contact Centre to book an extra seat.

International long haul definition

• Oversized baggage can be checked in, provided each item does not exceed 32kg in weight. Items heavier than 32kg must be shipped as Freight.
• Non-standard baggage items that are not sporting equipment or infant items will be weighed at check-in and charged according to their actual weight. This includes musical instruments.
• Wheelchair/mobility aids are carried free of charge – if required for personal use by a guest booked to travel on our service.

Excess Baggage Charges

Note: Excess baggage fees are subject to change at any time without notice.

• Excess baggage fees charged at check-in can be paid by credit card, cash and EFTPOS.
• We cannot guarantee that additional baggage will be carried. This is at our sole discretion and is subject to aircraft loads.
• See Checked Baggage for Baggage Fee Pricing.

Maximum Limits

Virgin Australia will accept oversized and fragile baggage, as long as it is appropriately packaged and fits within weight and size limitations.

Oversized and fragile baggage accepted (but not limited to) on Virgin Australia includes: glassware and breakables, odd shaped items, some types of sporting equipment, prams, and large boxes. These items may require special handling and packaging.

Due to handling restrictions, oversized items carried in the aircraft hold must adhere to the following limitations:

Certain bulky or fragile items will not be accepted as checked baggage, but may be carried in the aircraft cabin – subject to Virgin Australia approval. An additional seat must be purchased (charged at the best fare of the day) to accommodate the safe carriage of these items. Virgin Australia requires a minimum of 15 day’s notice, prior to the day of travel, for bulky baggage items to be approved for uplift.

Carriage of oversized and fragile baggage may be subject to additional costs and conditions. Please contact the Guest Contact Centre for more information.

Note:

• Oversized or fragile items that exceed these limitations must be sent as Freight.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by guests who are travelling. For further information on travelling with assistance view our Mobility Assistance page.

The maximum weight and dimensions of electric wheelchairs/mobility aids are as below:

Note:

• All items must be properly packaged, so that they do not cause damage to our aircraft or guest baggage.

Sports Equipment

All sporting equipment will form part of a guest’s checked baggage allowance on all Virgin Australia flights. Excess baggage charges will apply once the full baggage allowance has been exceeded.

The following sporting equipment will be charged at 50% of the full excess baggage rate on international long haul flights:

• Bikes
• Golf clubs
• Snow skis
• Surfboards

All other items will be charged at the full excess baggage rate

Travelling with a Bike

Bicycles will only be accepted as checked baggage if packaged in a hard or soft manufactured bike box. Bike boxes may be purchased at the airport check-in counter. Before bicycles can be accepted for uplift, they must be packaged as follows:

Generally, the following applies to disassemble a bike:

• Turn handle bars sideways, and secure to frame. It may be necessary to remove the front wheel
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post
• Remove any accessories
• Deflate bicycle tyres

When packing a bike, remember to:

• Place any loose accessories such as pedals or water bottles into a bag then place in the box. Ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box.
• Seal the box, and label it with your name, and contact phone number.
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box.

Note:

• If a bike is not packed according to Virgin Australia's requirements, or is not checked in prior to one hour before departure, we will not be able to accept the bike for travel.

We recommend that guests pre-purchase a box and pack their bike at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure it is ready on time. Bike boxes can be purchased the airport for $15.00.

Travelling with a Surfboard

Surfboards may only be accepted onboard if packaged in a protective covering, with padded protection around the fin area. Virgin Australia recommends surfboard fins be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment.

Travelling with Skis or a Snowboard

Snow skis and snowboards may only be accepted onboard as checked baggage if packaged in a protective skis/snowboard bag.

Musical Instruments

Guests may take small musical instruments onboard as carry-on baggage provided that each instrument does not exceed dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm (total linear dimensions 142cm). As an example only, many violins fit within these dimensions, while most guitars do not.

An instrument replaces one of the guest’s pieces of carry-on baggage (equivalent to a piece with total linear dimensions of 115cm), and the weight counts toward the guest’s 7kg total carry-on allowance.

Guests are asked to measure their musical instrument before arriving at the airport. It is recommended that guests board their aircraft promptly in order to stow their instrument in an overhead locker.

Larger musical instruments (exceeding dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm) are not allocated an additional baggage allowance and are managed as follows:

• A musical instrument is considered to be a piece of baggage for the purposes of our baggage policy.
• Any musical instrument that weighs between 23kg and 32kg is charged as overweight baggage if it exceeds the guests included baggage allowance. Baggage allowances can be found under Checked Baggage
• Any musical instrument over 32kg must be sent as Freight.
• Guests who wish to travel with a cello or guitar in the cabin must purchase an additional seat. For further information please contact the Guest Contact Centre.

Seafood, Meat and Frozen Products

Any seafood, meat or frozen products must be sent as Freight. You must contact Freight Services to arrange transport prior to arriving at the airport.

Interline and Codeshare Partners

Acceptance of bulky cabin baggage on Interline/Codeshare flights will depend on the operating carrier’s policy for each sector.