Virgin Airlines luggage rules

[stekmer]

I purchased a one way fare from Adelaide to Denpasar on Virgin Airlines, to attend a family event in Sulawesi in late August this year. (connecting with other flights on Lion Air, AirAsia and then Malaysian Airlines back from KL to Adelaide)


In the past I have taken 2 small bags, one of which was a folding hand luggage sized bag full of gifts. After handing out the gifts the small bag then went into my small suitcase for the rest of my trip. The combined weight of both bags was less than the allowed 23 Kgs.

I checked my fare rules to find that the luggage allowance is now 1 bag up to 23 Kg. I tried contacting Virgin to clarify if there was any lenience with this interpretation only to find that there was no lenience what so ever and that there would be an additional cost of $65 to take a second small bag, even though the combined weight was less than the allowance.

I expressed my frustration at the check in counter and was given the explanation that this new rule is because Virgin are expanding their international network and this ruling is in line with the usual luggage regulations for flights out of the USA. I was also told that I was free to pick another airline if I was not satisfied with this ruling.


Fortunately AirAsia are now flying from Adelaide to KL (as well as MH and SQ) and all have a far more reasonable approach to luggage, based on weight and not pieces. I will certainly take the advice of the Virgin Airlines staff and pick another airline for my Adelaide to Makassar biannual run.

 

[mannej]

The joys of the piece system!

 

[toowongman]

When you book a ticket online, you're given the opportunity to review the baggage rules for your ticket class before payment.

 

[Melburnian1]

Could you not take the 'hand luggage size' bag on board because it weighed more than seven kilograms?

That 'problem' does not seem to stop many other travellers I observe, who appear to bring on board reasonably heavy (and in some cases bulky) items, yet few if any airlines enforce the size and weight rules. Of course (in MEL) you do have to make it past the security guard at the entrance to airsidde, but I've noticed passengers waiting until a few others are just ahead of them and following closely behind in the hope that the 'door b...' is visually occupied with those in front of the errant traveller.

 

[TheInsider]

Melbourne security are not employed to weight and check the the size of carry on baggage. So makes no difference if they go behind someone else