Carry-on baggage

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.