Frequently asked questions - Flights to Melbourne
Which airport do I fly into Melbourne?
Virgin Australia flies into Melbourne Airport (MEL), colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport. The second busiest domestic airport in Australia, it’s the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne, located approximately 20km from the city centre of Melbourne.
What plane will I be on for my flight to Melbourne?
The aircraft of your Virgin Australia flight to Melbourne depends on your departure point and the flight schedule. You could be travelling on a Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8, or Saab 340B. Check your booking details for information about your aircraft. Please note that the nominated aircraft may change due to operational needs. Find out more about the Virgin Australia fleet and view seat maps.
What terminal do Virgin Australia flights to Melbourne arrive at?
Virgin Australia domestic flights to Melbourne arrive at Terminal 3 (T3) at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
How early should I book flights to Melbourne for the best price?
Flight prices to Melbourne can vary depending on demand, seasonality, and major events. To secure the best fares, it’s generally recommended to book a few months in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak periods like school holidays, summer, or major events.
That said, there’s always a chance to find a great deal on a flight to Melbourne! Sign up to V-mail to receive sale alerts, flight specials, and Happy Hour deals. You can also use your Velocity Frequent Flyer points to book reward seats or use Points + Pay to reduce the cost of your fare to Melbourney. Flying mid-week can also help you find even better deals on your flights to Melbourne.
What’s the cheapest time of year to fly to Melbourne?
Typically, it’s expected the best months to get a good deal on flights to Melbourne are from June to August, during the city’s winter motnhs and the off-season. While the weather is cooler and you’ll need to pack more layers, you won’t be short on things to do or galleries, museums, restaurants and landmarks to visit! With less crowds during this time, it’s a wonderful time to truly see Melbourne. However, it’s always recommended to check fares and compare prices before booking and be sure to sign up to V-mail to receive sale alerts, flight specials, and Happy Hour deals.
Which airports have direct flights to Melbourne?
Major Australian airports offering direct flights to Melbourne include:
• Sydney Airport (SYD)
• Brisbane Airport (BNE)
• Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
• Adelaide Airport (ADL)
• Perth Airport (PER)
• Canberra Airport (CBR)
• Hobart Airport (HBA)
• Cairns Airport (CNS)
• Darwin Airport (DRW)
What is the check-in deadline for flights to Melbourne?
For domestic flights to Melbourne, check-in opens 48 hours before your flight’s departure and will close 30 minutes before departure.
For all Virgin Australia domestic flights, including flights to Melbourne, we recommend that you check in – and drop off bags if needed – at least 60-90 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
For domestic flights to Melbourne with a connection to an international flight, we recommend you are checked in with bags dropped at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure and you will not be able to check your bags after this time.
For international flights to Melbourne, we recommend you are checked in with bags dropped at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 60 minutes before departure, and you will not be able to check your bags after this time.
Read more: Check-in information for Virgin Australia flights
What is the baggage allowance for flights to Melbourne?
The baggage allowance on Virgin Australia flights to Melbourne is based on the fare type you have booked, as well as your Velocity Frequent Flyer status.
Lite fare
• One personal item:Purse, handbag, laptop bag or camera bag, small backpack or hand carried item (e.g. reading material). See full list.
• Carry-on baggage: 8kg total – One Standard bag (56cm x 36cm x 23cm)
• Checked baggage: Not included in the fare – available to purchase at an additional cost.
Choice fare
• One personal item: Purse, handbag, laptop bag or camera bag, small backpack or hand carried item (e.g. reading material). See full list.
• Carry-on baggage: 8kg total – One Standard bag (56cm x 36cm x 23cm)
• Checked baggage: 23kg.
  – Non-members and Red Velocity Frequent Flyers: 1 x 23kg.
  – Silver Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 23kg.
  – Gold Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 23kg.
  – Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyers: 3 x 23kg.
Flex fare
• One personal item: Purse, handbag, laptop bag or camera bag, small backpack or hand carried item (e.g. reading material). See full list.
• Carry-on baggage: 8kg total – One Standard bag (56cm x 36cm x 23cm)
• Checked baggage: 23kg.
  – Non-members and Red Velocity Frequent Flyers: 1 x 23kg.
  – Silver Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 23kg.
  – Gold Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 23kg.
  – Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyers: 3 x 23kg.
Business fare
• One personal item: Purse, handbag, laptop bag or camera bag, small backpack or hand carried item (e.g. reading material). See full list.
• Carry-on baggage: One Standard piece 8kg total (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) OR two small bags 14kg total weight (48cm x 34cm x 23cm) cannot exceed a combined weight of 14kg, with no single bag over 8kg OR one standard piece (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) and one suit pack (114cm x 60cm x 11cm) 14kg total weight, with no single bag over 8kg.
• Checked baggage: 32kg.
  – Non-members and Red Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 32kg.
  – Silver Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 32kg.
  – Gold Velocity Frequent Flyers: 2 x 32kg.
  – Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyers: 3 x 32kg.
Read more details about carry-on baggage and checked baggage allowances
Is there in-flight entertainment on flights to Melbourne?
Yes! Most Virgin Australia Melbourne flights offer free in-flight entertainment including movies, TV shows, podcasts, and family-friendly programmes. Use your own hand-held device, tablet or laptop to connect to the Virgin Australia WiFi network and access the latest Hollywood releases, full series of must-see TV shows, and kid-friendly films. Read more about how to connect and supported devices and browsers on our in-flight entertainment page.
Virgin Australia’s in-flight entertainment is available on selected aircraft and selected routes on the Virgin Australia domestic and international network and is subject to availability.
Is there food on flights to Melbourne?
Yes, food and drinks are available on Virgin Australia flights to Melbourne.
In Economy Class, Virgin Australia offers complimentary water, tea and coffee*^ on all flights over 55 minutes, with additional food and drink options available for purchase.
In Business Class, guests are offered a plated meal, as well as a range of hot and cold drinks, including beer and wine.
How do I change or cancel my flight to Melbourne?
We know that things sometimes happen, and you may need to change or cancel your flight to Melbourne.
When it comes to changes like name changes, flight changes and fare type changes, the flexibility of your booking depends on your fare type and some changes may attract fees and surcharges. Refer to the Changes & cancellations section on our Domestics Fares page for more information.
To change or cancel your booking, you can:
• Go to Manage Your Booking online (before checking in) and retrieve your itinerary details;
• Get in touch with the Guest Contact Centre; or
• Contact your travel agent (if applicable)
What’s the best way to get from Melbourne Airport to the city?
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is located approximately 25km from Melbourne CBD with several transport options from T3 Domestic Terminal, including SkyBus, taxi, rideshare and hire car..
. One of the fastest and most affordable ways to reach Melbourne’s city centre from the airport is the SkyBus Express Bus Service, which runs frequently between 4am and 1am, 7 days a week. Between 7am and 7pm, departures can run as frequently as every 10 minutes but be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.
If you prefer a direct route to your Melbourne accommodation, taxis and rideshares are available outside T3 Domestic. Travel time to the city typically takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis depart from designated ranks at the terminal exit, while Uber pick-ups are located outside T2.
For more flexibility, organise a rental car ahead of time. If you haven’t planned ahead, car rental desks are located in the Arrivals Hall. Keep in mind hook turns are common in Melbourne city and parking in Melbourne CBD is limited, so check if your accommodation includes parking.