Flying before 2 February 2026?
Read about your Carry-on baggage allowance before 2 February 2026.
Allowances
Carry-on baggage allowances vary by cabin class and Velocity membership tier. Choose your cabin class or Velocity tier below to see the specific carry-on allowance for your flight.
Economy
Guests travelling in Economy Class, including Velocity Red or Silver members:
- may bring one carry-on option for the overhead locker (up to 8kg total)
- plus one personal item.
One standard bag
8kg total weight
Maximum dimensions:
L56cm x W36cm x H23cm
Plus, a personal item
- Your carry-on allowance includes bringing one small personal item into the cabin.
- It must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
Maximum dimensions: L45cm × W33cm × H20cm
Examples include:
- Purse or handbag
- Laptop bag or camera bag
- Small backpack
- Hand carried item (e.g. reading material).
Velocity Red and Silver members receive the standard Economy carry-on allowance.
Additional allowances apply only for Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus members.
Business, selected Velocity members & Economy X
Guests travelling in Business Class, Velocity Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus members, and those seated in Economy X may bring:
- One of the carry-on options below (up to 14kg combined weight), and
- One personal item.
One standard bag
8kg total weight
Maximum dimensions:
L56cm x W36cm x H23cm
Examples: wheeled suitcase, duffle bag, large backpack
Two small bags
14kg total weight
Cannot exceed a combined weight of 14kg, with no single bag over 8kg.
Maximum dimensions:
L48cm x W34cm x H23cm
One standard bag & one suit pack
14kg total weight
Cannot exceed a combined weight of 14kg, with no single bag over 8kg.
Maximum dimensions:
Standard piece: L56cm x W36cm x H23cm
Suit pack: L114cm x W60cm x H11cm
Plus, a personal item
- Your carry-on allowance includes bringing one small personal item into the cabin.
- It must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
Maximum dimensions: L45cm × W33cm × H20cm
Examples include:
- Purse or handbag
- Laptop bag or camera bag
- Small backpack
- Hand carried item (e.g. reading material).
Please note: no additional carry-on baggage allowance is granted to Red or Silver Velocity members.
Important information
Guests travelling on flights operated by Alliance Airlines or Link Airways on behalf of Virgin Australia will receive the Economy carry-on allowance, regardless of cabin or Velocity tier.
Where to store your carry-on and personal items
Larger bags go into the overhead locker above
Place small bags under the seat in front of you
Restricted items guidelines: what you can’t take through airport security
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Prohibited items and weapons
To help keep everyone safe, certain restricted or prohibited items cannot be taken through airport security checkpoints. If you’re travelling with anything that could be considered sharp, dangerous, flammable, or capable of causing harm, you should place it in your checked baggage before arriving at the airport.
This includes items that:
- Have sharp edges or points
- Could puncture or injure someone
- Are blunt objects that could be used as a weapon
- Are flammable household goods
- Can be used to restrain someone
- Are classified as weapons and not permitted through screening
Common examples of prohibited items
These items must not be taken through passenger screening and are generally not allowed in carry-on baggage:
- Saws, screwdrivers, hammers and other tools
- Firearms (of any type)
- Pointed scissors or scissors with blades longer than 6 cm
- Flares
- Tasers, pepper spray/OC spray and other disabling devices
- Baseball, softball and cricket bats
- Billiard, pool or snooker cues
- Martial arts items such as nunchucks or knuckle dusters
- Hockey sticks and golf clubs
- Fireworks
- Petrol and other fuel products
- Cable ties and handcuffs
What happens if you’re found with a prohibited item?
If airport security identifies a prohibited item or weapon at screening, you’ll be required to either:
- Arrange an alternative way to transport the item, or
- Surrender the item to security staff on the spot
- Items surrendered cannot be returned, so it’s worth double-checking your bags before you leave home.
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Inflatable items
All inflatable items must be fully deflated before they can be taken onboard as carry-on baggage. Any item that remains inflated, even partially, must travel as checked baggage in the aircraft hold.
This rule applies to everyday items such as:
- Inflated sports balls (e.g. footballs, soccer balls, basketballs)
- Inflatable toys
- Pool floats and beach inflatables
Deflating these items helps prevent pressure-related risks at altitude and avoids unnecessary hold-ups at security.
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Further information
Most countries have similar definitions of prohibited items and weapons, but rules can vary slightly by jurisdiction. For the most accurate guidance, refer to the relevant authority:
- Australia - Australian Government website
- New Zealand - Aviation Security Service website
- USA - TSA website
- Hong Kong - Civil Aviation Department website
- Japan - Japan Customs website
Additional permitted items
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Medical and assistive items
Medical and assistive items required for travel, including mobility devices are permitted in the cabin and are exempt from standard carry-on restrictions. These items do not count towards your carry-on allowance when used for medical necessity.
Examples include:
- CPAP machines
- Crutches, walking sticks and mobility aids
- Prosthetic devices
Guests who require sharp medical items, such as syringes for insulin or other essential medical treatments, are permitted to carry them onboard. These items will need to be presented during security screening.
For more information on travelling with medical needs, please refer to our specific needs and assistance page.
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Musical instruments
Small musical instruments may be brought onboard as part of your carry-on baggage allowance if they fit within the size limit L85cm × W34cm × H23cm. Instruments within this size count as one carry-on bag.
For larger instruments such as cello or guitars, guests must contact the Guest Contact Centre to book an extra seat for the for the instrument.
Guest Contact Centre: 13 67 89
For more details, see Oversized and Fragile Items.
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Assistance animals items
Passengers travelling with an assistance animal may check up to three special items free of charge on Virgin Australia operated flights.
For full details on eligibility and permitted items, please refer to our Assistance Animals page.