AirlineLimitsAirline baggage limits, decoded.

Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance and rules

Last checked: 7/14/2026 • IATA: VS • ICAO: VIR

  • SkyTeam

Not a binding baggage approval: fare, route, aircraft or operating carrier can vary. Check the linked official sources before booking and departure.

Carry-on for the overhead bin

Included in fare

Dimensions H×W×D
UnitHWD
cm563623
in22149
Weight
10 kg
  • All tickets include hand baggage.
  • Economy, Economy Light and Premium allow one cabin bag up to 10 kg / 22 lb; Upper Class permits one bag up to 12 kg / 26 lb or two bags totalling 16 kg / 35 lb.
  • Bags over the allowance may incur a GBP 65 gate charge from March 23, 2026.
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Enter the finished outside measurements of your packed bag. This compares numbers only and is not a baggage approval; fare, route, aircraft and operating-carrier conditions still apply.

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Source for this section: Hand baggage allowance

Personal item

Included in fare

Dimensions H×W×D
UnitHWD
cm403015
in16126

One handbag or small backpack up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (approximately 16 × 12 × 6 in) is included in every cabin and must fit beneath the seat. Virgin Atlantic does not publish a separate weight limit for this item.

Source for this section: Under-seat bag allowance

Checked baggage

Weight (standard limit per piece)
23 kg
  • Economy Classic and Delight usually include one bag up to 23 kg; Economy Light includes none.
  • Premium includes two 23 kg bags and Upper Class two 32 kg bags.
  • Each item is limited to 90 × 75 × 43 cm (35.5 × 29.5 × 16 in), while specified Economy routes include a second bag.

Source for this section: Checked baggage allowance

Overweight & excess baggage

  • Up to ten checked bags in total can be added, with the route-specific price shown by the baggage calculator.
  • A bag over the Economy or Premium 23 kg limit costs GBP 65 / USD 100 / EUR 85.
  • Items above 90 × 75 × 43 cm cost GBP 200 / USD 300 / EUR 250, while anything over 190 × 75 × 65 cm must travel through a freight provider.

Source for this section: Additional, overweight and oversized baggage

Liquids in carry-on

Varies

  • Departures from London Heathrow permit individual liquid containers up to 2 litres without removing them at screening.
  • Most other airports retain a 100 ml maximum per container; baby supplies, breast milk and necessary medicines have separate exceptions.

Source for this section: Liquids in hand baggage

Pets

Pet transport

Not allowed

Virgin Atlantic currently describes its ordinary pet transport service as suspended.

More details
  • Recognised assistance dogs use a separate advance approval process; confirm current availability before booking.

Source for this section: Pet travel

Special baggage

Sports equipment

Varies

One eligible sports item may replace a checked bag; Economy Light requires a paid bag.

More details
  • The general limit is 23 kg and 190 × 75 × 65 cm, with item-specific packing and route rules.
  • Equipment from 23 to 32 kg attracts an overweight fee, and heavier or larger items require cargo transport.

Source for this section: Sports equipment

Musical instruments

Varies

A rigidly packed instrument may use the normal cabin allowance up to 23 × 36 × 56 cm and 10 kg in Economy or Premium, or 12 kg in Upper Class.

More details
  • Up to two instruments can each use a purchased window seat; a seated instrument may weigh up to 75 kg / 165 lb and cannot exceed cello size.
  • Larger instruments can instead travel in the hold as an included or additional checked bag.

Source for this section: Musical instruments

Medical equipment

Allowed

Medical devices require approval from Accessible Travel at least 72 hours before departure unless already covered by the published approval process; OxygenToGo requests may be made up to 48 hours ahead.

More details
  • Devices must use their own batteries, with 150% of the planned flight time available for onboard use, and cannot draw aircraft power.
  • Approved POCs may be used, but personal oxygen cylinders and therapeutic onboard oxygen are unavailable.

Source for this section: Medical equipment

Acceptance depends on the equipment, aircraft, route and operating carrier.

Prohibited items in the cabin

  • Fireworks, flares and other explosive or pyrotechnic articles
  • Flammable liquids and solids, including petrol and lighter fuel
  • Corrosive, toxic, infectious or radioactive substances
  • Oxidisers and organic peroxides such as bleach and pool chemicals
  • Defence sprays and electroshock weapons
  • Self-balancing vehicles and other prohibited battery-powered rideables
  • Smart bags whose lithium battery cannot be removed
  • Devices and spare batteries above the airline's 160 Wh acceptance ceiling
  • This is a selected summary, not a complete dangerous-goods list.
  • Some items are permitted only in one baggage location or after approval, and destination rules can be stricter; check the official item guide before packing.

Source for this section: Dangerous or restricted items

Official source

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