Frequently asked questions - Flights to Sydney
Which airport do I fly into Sydney?
Virgin Australia flies into Sydney Airport (SYD), also known as Kingsford Smith Airport. The busiest domestic airport in Australia, it's the primary airport serving the city of Sydney and is located 8km from the city centre of Sydney.
What plane will I be on for my flight to Sydney?
The aircraft of your Virgin Australia flight to Sydney 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 a 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 Sydney arrive at?
Virgin Australia domestic flights to Sydney typically arrive at Terminal 2 (T2) of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
How early should I book flights to Sydney for the best price?
Flight prices to Sydney can vary depending on demand, seasonality, and major events like Vivid Sydney or New Year’s Eve. 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 Sydney! 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 Sydney. Flying mid-week can also help you find even better deals on your flights to Sydney!
What’s the cheapest time of year to fly to Sydney?
Typically, it’s expected that the best months to get a good deal on flights to Sydney are from June to August during the city’s winter and off-season. Although the cool winter weather has set in, there is still plenty to see and do – and it’s less crowded, too! That said, 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 Sydney?
Several major Australian airports offer direct flights into Sydney Airport (SYD), including:
• Melbourne Airport (MEL)
• Brisbane Airport (BNE)
• Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
• Adelaide Airport (ADL)
• Perth Airport (PER)
• Canberra Airport (CBR)
• Hobart Airport (HBA)
• Cairns Airport (CNS)
• Launceston Airport (LST)
What is the check-in deadline for flights to Sydney?
For domestic flights to Sydney, check-in opens 48 hours before your flight’s departure and will close 30 minutes before departure.
For domestic flights, including flights to Sydney, 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 Sydney 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 Sydney, 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 Sydney?
The baggage allowance on Virgin Australia flights to Sydney 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: 7kg total – one standard piece (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) OR two small pieces (48cm x 34cm x 23cm) OR one standard piece (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) and one suit pack (114cm x 60cm x 11cm).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 total.
  – 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 Sydney?
Yes! Most Virgin Australia Sydney 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 Sydney?
Yes, food and drinks are available on Virgin Australia flights to Sydney.
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 Sydney?
We know that things sometimes happen, and you may need to change or cancel your flight to Sydney. 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 Sydney Airport to the city?
Sydney Airport is located just 8km from Sydney CBD with several transport options from T2 Domestic Terminal, including train, taxi, rideshare, and hire care. One of the fastest and most affordable ways to reach Sydney city from the airport is the Airport Link train, which runs every 5–10 minutes and gets you to Central Station in 15 minutes or Circular Quay in 18 minutes. You can access the Airport Link Domestic Station from the Arrivals Hall and pay using an Opal Card or simply tap on with an Amex, Visa, or Mastercard.
If you prefer a direct route to your Sydney accommodation, taxis and rideshares are available outside T2 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 and DiDi pick-ups are in the Priority Pick-up Zone.
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 that parking in Sydney CBD is limited, so check if your accommodation includes parking.
