Virgin Atlantic Baggage Policies & Fees

Virgin Atlantic isn’t the largest U.K.-based carrier, but it’s certainly one of the most original. Additionally, its baggage policies are some of the easiest to understand across the industry. Here’s what you need to know about Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

How many bags can you bring on Virgin Atlantic?

Your Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance varies based on the class you’re flying and the type of fare booked. Let’s review the rules for both carry-on and checked bags.

Virgin Atlantic carry-on allowance

Virgin Atlantic passengers flying in economy class (on Light, Classic or Delight fares) or in premium cabins can bring one piece of carry-on luggage aboard.

• Size: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 centimeters).

• Weight: 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

Upper Class passengers get two pieces of hand luggage weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms) per bag, but they can’t weigh more than 35 pounds (16 kilograms) total. For example, you can carry two bags weighing 17 pounds (8 kilograms), or one bag weighing 26 pounds (12 kilograms) and another bag weighing 6 pounds (3 kilograms).

Kids under the age of 2 can have one carry-on bag weighing no more than 13 pounds (6 kilograms.).

In addition to carry-on luggage, Virgin Atlantic lets you bring along a few items that aren’t included in the carry-on allowance, such as:

• Handbag, small backpack or purse.

• Coat.

• Umbrella or walking stick.

• Camera or binoculars.

• Reading material.

• An infant’s food (for in-flight consumption).

• Duty-free merchandise.

• Headphones.

» Learn more: 5 best uses for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points

Virgin Atlantic checked bag allowance

The checked baggage allowance with Virgin Atlantic also varies based on the ticket fare and cabin of service.

• Economy Light: no checked bags (though you can pay to check one).

• Economy Classic and Delight: one checked bag.

• Premium: two checked bags.

• Upper Class: two checked bags.

Virgin Atlantic checked baggage allowance dimensions are as follows:

• Size: 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 centimeters).

• Weight: 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

Upper Class passengers can check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each (32 kilograms) on most routes, except those between the U.K. and South America where three checked bags are included.

Additionally, certain routes include two checked bags per passenger even with economy tickets (Classic and Delight fares):

• U.K./U.S. – Nigeria.

• U.K./U.S./Canada – India.

• U.K./U.S. – Pakistan.

• U.K. – Australia.

• U.S. – Lebanon, South Africa, Ghana and Senegal.

On most routes, Light fares don’t get any checked bags; however, even Light fares get one free checked bag when flying to or from Nigeria or South Africa.

» Learn more: The guide to Virgin Atlantic premium economy

Virgin Atlantic baggage fees

If you’d like to check more pieces of luggage than your ticket allows, it’s possible to do so, but it’ll cost you extra. You can add up to seven extra bags when checking in online and up to 10 extra bags when checking in at the airport.

You can expect to pay for extra pieces of luggage in all classes of service on Virgin Atlantic-operated flights.

* For Economy Light tickets purchased before Sept. 6, 2023, the fee is $75 (50 pounds) for the first checked bag.

Additional bag fees are charged per flight and not per itinerary. If your trip originates in the U.S., you’ll pay in dollars. If you fly out of the U.K., you’ll be charged in pounds. If your flight begins elsewhere, the charge will be converted from pounds to your local currency.

» Learn more: British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic: Which is better?

Overweight and oversized baggage fees

If your bags are heavier or larger than the allowance included with your ticket, you’ll have to pay an overweight or oversized baggage fee at the airport. If your bag is both oversized and overweight, both fees apply.

The overweight fee is $100 (65 pounds) per bag. The oversized fee is $300 (200 pounds) per bag.

Elite members get extra luggage allowance on Virgin Atlantic

Passengers who have elite status in the Flying Club program get extra luggage allowance as part of the benefits package.

Flying Club Silver members are able to check one extra piece of luggage at no additional cost. Gold members get an additional carry-on and an extra checked bag on Virgin Atlantic flights in any cabin.

Credit cards that give a free checked bag with Virgin Atlantic

Unfortunately, the two Virgin Atlantic credit cards that are available to U.K. customers don’t offer free checked bags, and there aren’t any co-branded cards available to U.S.-based consumers. However, there’s a workaround.

Those who hold Capital One travel rewards cards, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, can use Capital One Miles to reimburse travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile. Because a checked baggage fee would be charged by the airline and therefore coded as travel, it would qualify for the rebate. So, if you were to pay $100 to check a bag, you’d need 10,000 miles to reimburse the charge.

» Learn more: How to make the most of first class on Virgin Atlantic

Check-in times for checked luggage

You can add extra pieces of baggage to your ticket at check-in time, either online or at the airport. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 70 minutes before departure. The airport check-in desk closes one hour before departure, so make sure to get through the line in time to drop off your checked bags. Baggage fees are the same at the airport as they are online.

Keep in mind that you can’t pay for oversized bags online. This fee is collected at the airport.

Virgin Atlantic baggage policy recapped

Depending on your ticket type, you might have to pay to check bags with Virgin Atlantic, especially if they’re oversized or overweight.

The checked bag fees can be avoided by purchasing fares other than Economy Light, not flying with more than the stated limits or being an elite member of the Flying Club program.