Oversized and fragile items

Bicycles including battery powered electric bikes will only be accepted as checked baggage if packaged in a hard or soft manufactured bike box. Bike boxes may be purchased at the airport check-in counter. Before bicycles can be accepted for uplift, they must be packaged as follows:

Generally, the following applies to disassemble a bike:

• Turn handle bars sideways, and secure to frame. It may be necessary to remove the front wheel
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post
• Remove any accessories
• Deflate bicycle tyres

When packing a bike, remember to:

• Place any loose accessories such as pedals or water bottles into a bag then place in the box. Ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box.
• Seal the box, and label it with your name, and contact phone number.
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box.

Additional requirements for a battery powered electric bike:

• The lithium battery must not exceed 160Wh (watt-hours). Batteries over 160Wh are not permitted
• Further battery information can be found at Batteries.

Note: If a bike is not packed according to Virgin Australia's requirements, or is not checked in prior to one hour before departure, we will not be able to accept the bike for travel.

We recommend that guests pre-purchase a box and pack their bike at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure it is ready on time. Bike boxes can be purchased the airport for $25.00. A booking reference is required for purchase.

Surfboards may only be accepted onboard if packaged in a protective covering, with padded protection around the fin area. Virgin Australia recommends surfboard fins be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment.

Snow skis and snowboards may only be accepted onboard as checked baggage if packaged in a protective skis/snowboard bag.

Fishing rods must be protected in a PVC cylinder, with screw ends obtained from a local fishing store, or in PVC plumbing or electrical tubing. Fishing Rods must not be strapped to suitcases or other baggage.

Firearms are permitted as Checked Baggage. It is the responsibility of the Guest to ensure all necessary permits and licenses required for the country you are travelling to, from or through, are held prior to travel.

Requirements of Travel:

• Firearm must be declared at Check-in.
• Firearm must be packed in a lockable case, and locked.
• Firearm case must not be packed inside another bag/suitcase and remain separate.
• Firearm must be unloaded.
• Ammunition may travel in the same case as long as the items are separated by a partition within the case. Note – Refer to Dangerous Goods for Ammunition restrictions.
• Firearm will be treated as a Restricted Item and may have different handling requirements at each airport.
• Firearm will not be delivered on arrivals baggage belt at your destination, and you must provide the Restricted Item tag receipt to collect.
• Depending on local procedures, the firearm may require inspection by Customs Authorities prior to check-in or at transit locations.
• Regulations and conditions of carriage for passengers travelling with firearms and ammunition including licenses, documentation and conditions imposed by countries or other carriers is the sole responsibility of the person travelling.

Bicycles including battery powered electric bikes will only be accepted as checked baggage if packaged in a hard or soft manufactured bike box. Bike boxes may be purchased at the airport check-in counter. Before bicycles can be accepted for uplift, they must be packaged as follows:

Generally, the following applies to disassemble a bike:

• Turn handle bars sideways, and secure to frame. It may be necessary to remove the front wheel
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post
• Remove any accessories
• Deflate bicycle tyres

When packing a bike, remember to:

• Place any loose accessories such as pedals or water bottles into a bag then place in the box. Ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box.
• Seal the box, and label it with your name, and contact phone number.
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box.

Additional requirements for a battery powered electric bike:

• The lithium battery must not exceed 160Wh (watt-hours). Batteries over 160Wh are not permitted
• Further battery information can be found at Batteries

Note: If a bike is not packed according to Virgin Australia's requirements, or is not checked in prior to one hour before departure, we will not be able to accept the bike for travel.

We recommend that guests pre-purchase a box and pack their bike at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure it is ready on time. Bike boxes can be purchased the airport for $25.00.

Surfboards may only be accepted onboard if packaged in a protective covering, with padded protection around the fin area. Virgin Australia recommends surfboard fins be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment.

Snow skis and snowboards may only be accepted onboard as checked baggage if packaged in a protective skis/snowboard bag.

Fishing rods must be protected in a PVC cylinder, with screw ends obtained from a local fishing store, or in PVC plumbing or electrical tubing. Fishing Rods must not be strapped to suitcases or other baggage. 

Firearms are permitted as Checked Baggage. It is the responsibility of the Guest to ensure all necessary permits and licenses required for the country you are travelling to, from or through, are held prior to travel.

Requirements of Travel:

• Firearm must be declared at Check-in.
• Firearm must be packed in a lockable case, and locked.
• Firearm case must not be packed inside another bag/suitcase and remain separate.
• Firearm must be unloaded.
• Ammunition may travel in the same case as long as the items are separated by a partition within the case. Note – Refer to Dangerous Goods for Ammunition restrictions.
• Firearm will be treated as a Restricted Item and may have different handling requirements at each airport.
• Firearm will not be delivered on arrivals baggage belt at your destination, and you must provide the Restricted Item tag receipt to collect.
• Depending on local procedures, the firearm may require inspection by Customs Authorities prior to check-in or at transit locations.
• Regulations and conditions of carriage for passengers travelling with firearms and ammunition including licenses, documentation and conditions imposed by countries or other carriers is the sole responsibility of the person travelling.

Requirements when travelling to/from/through Fiji – approval must obtained by the Civil Aviation Authority Fiji (CAAF) for the item to be carried by a guest. Please email va.specialassistance@virginaustralia.com for further support in requesting approval.

Musical instruments

Guests may take small musical instruments onboard as carry-on baggage provided that each instrument does not exceed dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm (total linear dimensions 142cm). As an example only, many violins fit within these dimensions, while most guitars do not.

An instrument replaces one of the guest’s pieces of carry-on baggage (equivalent to a piece with total linear dimensions of 105cm), and the weight counts toward the guest’s 7kg total carry-on allowance.

Guests are asked to measure their musical instrument before arriving at the airport. It is recommended that guests board their aircraft promptly in order to stow their instrument in an overhead locker.

Larger musical instruments (exceeding dimensions of 85cm x 34cm x 23cm) are not allocated an additional baggage allowance and are managed as follows:

• A musical instrument is considered to be a piece of baggage for the purposes of our baggage policy.
• Any musical instrument that weighs between 23kg and 32kg is charged as overweight baggage. If it exceeds the guests included baggage allowance. Baggage allowances can be found under Checked Baggage.
• Any musical instrument over 32kg must be sent as Freight.
• Guests who wish to travel with a cello or guitar in the cabin must purchase an additional seat. For further information please contact the Guest Contact Centre.
  

Seafood, meat and frozen products 

You may take seafood, meat and frozen products (Perishable Products) as checked baggage on Virgin Australia-operated flights when packed in the following way and at your risk: 

• Perishable Products must be completely frozen.
• Perishable Products must be carried in one of the following approved container: solid plastic or fibreglass eskies, coolers or chilly bins; and solid Styrofoam or polystyrene boxes with a lid in good condition.
• Soft-sided cooler bags and cardboard boxes are NOT approved containers.
• All Perishable Products must be sealed and double wrapped in plastic to prevent leakage during the flight.
• Water ice may be used, provided it is contained within sealed plastic bricks. No other water ice is permitted.
• Gel cooling packs are permitted to be used to keep the Perishable Products frozen.
• Dry ice may be used subject to the following conditions being met: the container must be ventilated, and the carriage of dry ice declared at check-in. A maximum of 2.5kg of dry ice is permitted.
• Containers over 23kg will be subject to an Overweight Fee. The maximum weight of the approved container (excluding Styrofoam or polystyrene with a lid) must not exceed 32kg: refer to International Short Haul Excess Baggage Charges at the Airport for details. The total weight of solid Styrofoam or polystyrene boxes with a lid cannot exceed 20kg.

Note: Live seafood (e.g. crayfish and mud crabs) must not be carried as checked baggage. If you wish to transport live seafood you must contact Freight Services.

It is your responsibility to make sure you comply with all Customs and Quarantine requirements for your port of entry. If you do not, your Perishable Products may be confiscated. Virgin Australia accepts no liability for any loss related to the confiscation of products.

The transport of Perishable Products is at your risk and subject to the liability regime set out in Our Conditions of Carriage.

Note that Perishable Products that are not packed in accordance with these requirements can cause significant damage to other passengers’ baggage and the aircraft, and flight delays connected with baggage removal, cleaning and flight cancellations.

For more information on Customs and Quarantine requirements please refer to the relevant government department. Australia and New Zealand government department websites are included below.

• Australia: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 
• New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries
  

Non-standard items 

Non-standard baggage items that are not infant items are considered as part of a guest’s piece allowance.

Wheelchairs/mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by a guest who is travelling.

Note: The only item that can occupy a seat (apart from a guest) is a cello. If you are travelling with a cello please call our Guest Contact Centre to book an extra seat.

Hunting trophies/shark fins

Virgin Australia does not support the transportation of hunting trophies, endangered species or shark fins and therefore, does not transport these items.

Human remains

Cremated remains (human and animal) in the form of ashes may be stored in carry-on or checked baggage but must be shipped in funeral urns which are effectively cushioned against breakage by suitable packaging. The ashes must be contained in a sealed container (urn) of such construction that there can be no risk of accidental spillage.

A funeral urn carried in the cabin as carry-on baggage by a guest must conform to the following conditions before being accepted:

• The ashes must be contained in a sealed container (funeral urn) of such construction that there can be no risk of accidental spillage.
• The guest must have a letter from a funeral director or crematorium identifying the contents as human remains.
• The urn must pass through security screening with the guest.
• Guests are not required to open the urn at security screen, but if the urn is stored in another bag the outer bag has to be opened to view the actual container the ashes are in.
• The urn is wholly contained inside a suitable carry-on bag which conforms to carry-on baggage size and weight limits. The bag and the urn are to remain closed during flight.

If a customer enquires about transporting a coffin, they are required to do so via Freight.