Children

Booking

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

For Domestic and Trans-Tasman Services:

A Child seat is charged at full price.

For International Short Haul Services (Other than Trans-Tasman):

A Child seat is charged at 75% of the full fare excluding taxes, fees and surcharges.

For Long Haul International Services:

A child’s seat is charged at 50% to 75% of the full fare (depending on the route) excluding taxes, fees and surcharges. Note: Children travelling to or from North America in Business Class on Virgin Australia operated flights are charged at full price.

Check-in

Please allow 60 minutes for Domestic travel, and 2 hours for International travel when checking in with a child.

Check-in team members may request proof of date of birth – extracts or copies of birth certificates are acceptable, as are immunisation books.

Tips for Your Flight

Children can be anxious about new or different experiences. Explaining the processes of checking in, take off and landing can ease young minds.

Items to Take on Your Flight

To give your child homely comforts, pack a few little things in your child’s carry-on baggage for the flight. Some suggestions are:

• Their favourite toy (this can calm them down and help make them feel at ease during the flight)
• Some pencils and colouring-in books
• A story book
• Travel games
• Activity packs
• Portable disk or tape player with head phones
• A set of headphones (to use where an in-flight audio system is provided)
• A little snack box and drink with their favourite treats inside

Carry-on baggage should be of a size and weight that is manageable for your child. Our limit is 7kg, per person.

Note: Our onboard menu contains child-appropriate food and drinks.

Crying Children

Why do they cry at certain times?

It is not uncommon for children to cry, and/or put their hands over their ears, during take-off and landing. Please do not be alarmed and feel embarrassed. Crying is a natural way for a child to clear their ears – it is best to let them go.

How can I help prevent this?

Give them something to chew on, like jelly sweets, so that they are constantly chewing and swallowing. This can help prevent discomfort.

Mother/Parent Rooms at the Airport

You will find Mother's/Parents' rooms to accommodate your needs within all of our airport terminals.

For further information on locations please refer to our Airport Guides.

Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

Virgin Australia accept the carriage of selected child restraint systems (which include car seats and harness type restraints) onboard. Approved CRSs must be certified for carriage in an aircraft and meet the acceptance criteria described below.

Note: To be considered for travel, a CRS must meet one of the below labelling/marking requirements stipulating that it meets the below standards. Wording on labels will be consistent with wording outlined below.

Comply with United States FAA design standard FMVSS No. 213

• Have two markings: ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and in red lettering: ‘This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft’.

Be approved under United States FAA process TSO-C100b

• Be permanently and legibly marked ‘TSO-C100b’.

Be approved under United States FAA process 21.305(d)

• Be clearly marked showing FAA approval under 21.305(d) and bear the label ‘FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d)’.

Be approved under United Nations ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) Regulation No. 44

• Be clearly marked with a circle around the letter ‘E’ followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval.
• Be clearly marked with the approval number showing version ECE R44/03 or ECE R44/04.

Be clearly marked with a label showing the CRS has been certified to CMVSS 213 or 213.1

Note:

• Rear-facing restraint systems are certified to CMVSS 213.1.
• Forward-facing restraint systems are certified to CMVSS 213.
• Convertible restraint systems are certified to both CMVSS 213 and 213.1.

Car Seat Acceptance Criteria

In addition to the above, car seats must meet the following criteria prior to being considered for travel:

• Be designed so they can be secured with a fastened lap belt only
• Not exceed a width of 40.6cm (16 inches)
• Be designed to restrain the weight of a child using the device – which unless otherwise specified on the label is 9kg or less for rear facing restraints and 18kg or less for forward facing restraints
• Must be in good condition, showing no signs of damage
• Have a single release harness that secures your child’s lap belt, and torso and shoulder straps – it cannot be unreasonably easy for children to undo
• Be quick and easy to secure or remove your child
• Have a solid back and seat

If accepted for carriage, car seats must also be:

• Fitted to the aircraft seat by parent/guardian
• Must not impede guest access to aisle or exit routes (this includes protrusion over the seat cushion edging)
• Seat allocated according to airline seating rules

Important Information

Australian Design Standard As/NZS 1754

Seats that comply with Australian design standard AS/NZS 1754 are currently unsuitable for carriage on Virgin Australia aircraft, as they require a top tether in addition to the fastened lap belt to secure the three-point attachment.

Australia is one of a few countries with the requirement for a three point attachment and compulsory bolt/anchorage in vehicles to attach car seats. These bolts are not part of an aircraft configuration; therefore, without an approved modification Australian standard car seats currently cannot be secured to our aircraft seats.

CARES Child Restraint

Virgin Australia does not provide, but permits use of the CARES Child Restraint onboard for infants and children. This device must have the original label intact and must be used in accordance with operating instructions.

The CARES restraint is approved for use on aircraft and is manufactured by leading aviation restraint manufacturer AMSAFE.

For more information visit kidsflysafe.com or to purchase a CARES restraint in Australia visit littlegulliver.com.au.

Talk to Us

If you are planning to travel with a CRS onboard a Virgin Australia flight, we encourage you to contact our Guest Contact Centre at least 24 hours before departure.

At the Airport

A visual assessment of all devices will be conducted at check-in and onboard. All labels, supporting paperwork and operating instructions must be clearly visible and available for inspection by Virgin Australia staff, at all times.

Our priority is the safety of you, your family, our guests and crew. If it is determined that a particular device does not meet our requirements it must be checked in as checked baggage.