Virgin Australia changes to carry on baggage allowance effective 2 Feb 2026

[anat0l]

Do you think VA could have overall achieved the same thing if they just enforced their allowances more strictly?

The new system will not work without enforcement greater than that done now. I mean, if people read the allowances and followed them to a T, sure they would be fine, but if pax also did this now then I'm sure there wouldnt need to be this major change.

Fundamentally, 8 kg isn't all that much (this isn't a VA thing, it's a global one). Most roller luggage is 4 kg by itself already (including those very fashionable and super tech ones).

I suppose one also weighs up if enforcement will affect things like how quickly boarding can be finished (i.e. scrutinising bags and forcing those who are in excess burns time, unless you take a brutalist approach), versus saving time of checking bags on board, etc.. Then again, you also don't want to annoy your elites, so Platinums and Pluses likely will get a pass (but I suppose higher tier elites are not likely the problem in the first place).

 

[Harrison_133]

So according to your email, Platinums (not Pluses) will get a downgrade as currently they can carry 32 kg bags regardless of class of service (now it will be 23 kg bags in Economy)? Or have they messed the bed again?

Platinums only get 3 x 32kg when travelling in business class. It's 3 x 23kg in economy.

 

[anat0l]

Platinums only get 3 x 32kg when travelling in business class. It's 3 x 23kg in economy.

Not according to the website, so that's why I'm saying this is a change. Unless the website is wrong.

Why wouldn't you allow your Platinums to have 32 kg bags?

 

[flyingfan]

So according to your email, Platinums (not Pluses) will get a downgrade as currently they can carry 32 kg bags regardless of class of service (now it will be 23 kg bags in Economy)? Or have they messed the bed again?

You're right, I missed that. Here's the screenshot from the 'updated' email I received at 7:54 pm (so I don't post in haste and muck up the text as I did initially). Even though it says fare type and membership level, the checked allowances here are only about the latter.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A lot of the delays are caused because people block the aisles during boarding. I’m not convinced it’s cabin baggage per se.

Countless times we’ve been blocked right up the jetway because people people are so slow once they’re on. I’ve seen crew standing on tippy toes to ‘see what the hold up is’, but not a single crew member ever makes an announcement to please step out of the aisles, please don’t block the aisles, or please allow people to pass you in the aisles.

That, combined with unrealistic turn-around times mean it’s rare to leave on time. Thankfully flight padding usually means a more on time arrival.

 

[Harrison_133]

Not according to the website, so that's why I'm saying this is a change. Unless the website is wrong.

Just realised this after I posted. I always thought the allowance was 23kg for Platinum though.

Looking at the "view and buy bags" tab on the app for my upcoming flights, things just get even more confusing.

MEL-SYD on a choice fare shows 3 x 23kg:


MEL-PER in business is showing 4 x 32kg (where on earth did the 4 come from):


I've also noticed some discrepancies during check in on the app. For example, as a Platinum on a choice fare it's telling me the allowance is 2 x 23kg, when it is definitely 3 bags. It comes up like this pretty much every time I check-in. Sometimes it will surprise me and show the correct 3 bags.


Edit to note: this is from the same MEL-SYD flight above which says 3 x 23kg bags.

 

[twinaisle]

A lot of the delays are caused because people block the aisles during boarding. I’m not convinced it’s cabin baggage per se.

Countless times we’ve been blocked right up the jetway because people people are so slow once they’re on. I’ve seen crew standing on tippy toes to ‘see what the hold up is’, but not a single crew member ever makes an announcement to please step out of the aisles, please don’t block the aisles, or please allow people to pass you in the aisles.

That, combined with unrealistic turn-around times mean it’s rare to leave on time. Thankfully flight padding usually means a more on time arrival.

Yeah they're taking their time cause they put their bags in the lockers or they're slow cause their kitchen sink is too heavy for them so they ask others for help. Then they will be in window seat and will have to wait for middle and aisle to get up so they can get in.

They put all of their smaller bags in the overhead which means crew have to find space and sometimes argue with passengers to put it under their seat.

People are slow and can't manage to find where they are seated too. I've had non delayed boarding turn into delayed due to people and bags like on a SYD-MEL etc.

Crew don't do much because once they are injured then they lose money living on base pay while dealing with WorkCover which is a cough to process.

While I'm ranting - if you're in row 3 on a non bulkhead seat then put your smaller bag under row 2.

 

[prelude]

For me the most frustrating thing is when people insist in putting their backpack (or worse, shopping) in addition to their rollerbag in the overhead compartments. The only reason I insist on using priority boarding is that I know I will have overhead space close to where I sit. It gets noticeably worse the further to the back of the plane you are.

 

[anat0l]

Yeah they're taking their time cause they put their bags in the lockers or they're slow cause their kitchen sink is too heavy for them so they ask others for help.

So a weigh in at the gate will solve this... add on top that if you're not ready to board once boarding has finished and departure time has passed, offloading starts.

Again, it'll depend on how far VA want to take this, viz. how far will they go to annoy pax with this process with the risk that some will be annoyed enough to jump ship. Mind, it won't take much convincing for QF to do the same (and they have done it). For all we know, introducing it may induce annoyance as well as forcing people to change habits to meet the new measure and ensure a smooth experience (consequently for more than just the pax).

Then they will be in window seat and will have to wait for middle and aisle to get up so they can get in.

This happens on all airlines in Australia (and most of the world). Fairly unavoidable unless you fundamentally change and force the boarding order.

People are slow and can't manage to find where they are seated too.

I'm glad situations like this haven't broken out into fights.

Crew don't do much because once they are injured then they lose money living on base pay while dealing with WorkCover which is a cough to process.

That doesn't sound like the attitude of FAs that were voted Best Cabin Crew umpteen years in a row.

Jokes aside, it's a valid concern indeed (especially when doing it in high heels). Not sure if the capacity to comfortably and repeatedly handle and lift bags of a certain weight are requirements for FA recruitment (I know swimming a certain distance in clothes is a requirement).

 

[RooFlyer]

The second round of emails have gone out...

Yeah, oops.

I’m not convinced it’s cabin baggage per se.

Not the only thing, but definitely contributes.

I’ve seen crew standing on tippy toes to ‘see what the hold up is’, but not a single crew member ever makes an announcement to please step out of the aisles, please don’t block the aisles, or please allow people to pass you in the aisles.

Strange ... I hear stuff to that effect very regularly. But no-one takes much notice.

 

[kpc]

When was the last time Va weighed your carryon? Ùnofficial Va policy atm is NOT to weigh carry on

 

[anat0l]

When was the last time Va weighed your carryon? Ùnofficial Va policy atm is NOT to weigh carry on

They could start, both officially and unofficially

 

[jakeseven7]

When was the last time Va weighed your carryon? Ùnofficial Va policy atm is NOT to weigh carry on

Last week in LST. Over zealous outsourced ground crew perhaps?

The second round of emails have gone out...

 

[HS-TQE]

Or just a fare with checked bags included. Some other airline in Australia has that ...

VA 1.0 tried that. Ultimately didn't work financially for them during the Voluntary administration process, so Bain rolled back VA 2.0's Economy base fare to a standard Economy LCC with the base fare being Lite with a carry-on only, in line with VA's LCC rival JQ.