Virgin Atlantic’s baggage policies and fees are some of the clearest we’ve seen, which makes it a heck of a lot easier to determine your total luggage costs than with most other airlines!
Virgin Atlantic Carry-On Allowance
1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE (Economy Light, Economy Classic, & Premium Economy)
2 standard carry-on bags: FREE (Upper Class)
Size Restrictions
- Personal: undisclosed
- Standard: 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm,) 22 pounds (10 kg) economy; 26 pounds (12 kg) individual and 35 pounds (16 kg) combined for upper class
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- 1 standard carry-on bag, 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm,) up to 13 pounds (6 kg). The following foldable buggies are permitted in the cabin: GB Pocket, Britax Holiday, SIlver CrossJet, and BabyZen YoYo
Stroller Check Policy
- Strollers can be checked in at the ticket counter or can be used up to the boarding gate. If being checked at the gate, the stroller will be put in the hold for the flight and will be ready for you outside of the aircraft doors (however, at some destinations you may have to reclaim it at the baggage hall, due to local customs restrictions).
Virgin Atlantic Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for Economy and Premium Economy fares, 70 pounds (32 kg) for Upper-Class fares; must adhere to max linear dimensions of 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm).
Economy Light: No checked baggage
Economy Classic/Delight: 1 bag included*
Premium Economy: 2 bags included
Upper Class: 2 bags included (3 bags for passengers that booked before 9 December 2019)
*In Economy, on flights to and from the UK to India, flights from the US & Canada to India, flights from the US to South Africa and flights from the UK & US to Lagos the allowance is two bags.
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
Please note, Virgin Atlantic charges excess baggage fees on a per flight basis.
Economy Light:
1st additional bag: £45 / $60
2nd additional bag: £65 / $100
3+ additional bags: £140 / $200
Economy Classic/Delight
1st bag: included
2nd additional bag: £65 / $100
3+ additional bags: £140 / $200
Premium:
1st and 2nd bag: included
3+ additional bags: £140 / $200
Upper Class
1st and 2nd bag: included
3+ additional bags: £140 / $200
Excess fees for tickets purchased before 9 December 2019
Overweight Fee: £65 / $100
Oversized Fee: £65 / $100
Excess fees for tickets purchased after 9 December 2019
Overweight Fee: £200 / $300
Oversized Fee: £200 / $300
*If a bag is both overweight and oversized, both fees will apply.
Lap Infant Checked Bag Policy
- Infants too young for their own seat on the aircraft (traveling on the lap of a parent or carer) can have one piece of hold baggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg).
For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to Virgin Atlantic’s policy here.
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
Virgin Atlantic does allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for luggage online or via their mobile app when you check-in from 24 hours before the flight departure.
Here are the ways you can pre-pay:
Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Bag Fees
Virgin Atlantic has a better-checked bag policy than most airlines, but if you need an additional checked bag, these 2 cards will reimburse you.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 bonus mile offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement balance! We've highlighted 30+ benefits of the card. |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne with a 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card is full of benefits and perks and you can redeem your miles on travel (flights, hotels, even paying for baggage fees etc) or transfer your miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs. |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - The newest card in the Capital One lineup with a welcome offer of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Not only does the card come with up to $300 in statement credits when booking through Capital One Travel, you'll also get get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. Earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases. |
Exclusions & Waivers
Flying Club Gold members can check in an extra piece of luggage on all Virgin Atlantic operated flights for no extra charge, weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg). It doesn’t matter which cabin you’re flying in.
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
Featured Image Credit:
Shutterstock.com and Virgin Atlantic