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

[Happy Dude]

Still, having new limits or rules may not discourage this until enforcement happens, e.g. at the gate, not on board.

It's that simple. And at check in too (for those trying to game Lite fares and luggage allowances).

 

[twinaisle]

How does it take 40 mins to gate check bags? US airlines do it in a couple of minutes. Qantas gate checks in advance of boarding, and if you don’t, the bag doesn’t fly on that flight.

QF have chutes that they can send it down.

These captured bags would have been around when the flight is closed so it takes time to collect bag and boarding pass of pax, bring bag up to the front.

Each bag will have to be manually bag tagged and correctly tagged with the boarding pass, re deliver boarding pass back to pax.

Then pit crew will have to come up(depending on what they are doing as they can't just drop what they're doing to go) collect the bags, reopen the cargo if it is closed, load the bags, weight recalculated, pilots will need new paperwork, close the cargo, wait for the manual loading sheet if the aircraft didn't have a printer.

Get clearance to push back as well.

And that's how it takes 40 minutes.

I need a drink after writing all that

 

[ben95]

Oh gosh. So let's see, they increase the economy cabin seating considerably, they remove a row of X, and then penalise the pax. Bet the feedback was really from cabin crew moaning. The race to the bottom is almost complete for this LCC.

Wait really?

So an increase of 6 seat on a flight - a 3.5% increase in pax number is “considerable”?

I also don’t think it’s a big deal with the economy X reduction. Even when I do fly ahead at the airport last minute, I usually have no issue getting myself an economy X seat on the exit row.

 

[twinaisle]

That's pretty crazy.

Still, having new limits or rules may not discourage this until enforcement happens, e.g. at the gate, not on board.

I guess that once people are forced to check in bags once on board the aircraft, they are not charged for those, even if it goes over their limit (viz. had they been caught at check-in or at boarding, they would pay the relevant fees there). So they may continue to do this as it seems they can easily "check in" bags for free (seems a sweet deal for those on Lite fares).

They have been weighing bags and checking them in before boarding. It will get stricter soon.

 

[PERLHR]

Wait really?

So an increase of 6 seat on a flight - a 3.5% increase in pax number is “considerable”?

I also don’t think it’s a big deal with the economy X reduction. Even when I do fly ahead at the airport last minute, I usually have no issue getting myself an economy X seat on the exit row.

Try flying from Perth! Yes it's considerable.

 

[PERLHR]

QF have chutes that they can send it down.

These captured bags would have been around when the flight is closed so it takes time to collect bag and boarding pass of pax, bring bag up to the front.

Each bag will have to be manually bag tagged and correctly tagged with the boarding pass, re deliver boarding pass back to pax.

Then pit crew will have to come up(depending on what they are doing as they can't just drop what they're doing to go) collect the bags, reopen the cargo if it is closed, load the bags, weight recalculated, pilots will need new paperwork, close the cargo, wait for the manual loading sheet if the aircraft didn't have a printer.

Get clearance to push back as well.

And that's how it takes 40 minutes.

I need a drink after writing all that

Well that's a good start to reduce the "delays"....irony not lost...ha.

 

[ozstamps]

Funnily enough, the email from VA today emphasised the checked baggage allowances too, and listed Platinum Plus as 5 x 23kg, whereas the website (and earlier marketing) for Platinum Plus lists 5 x 32kg.

I know today's update is really just to the cabin baggage allowances, but when an airline is updating its baggage allowance policies and can't get its own policy right, travellers are going to get confused.

It is Virgin … as usual nobody road tested this, or adjusted relevant web pages.

Not sure how many others did NOT get any emails on this, but was all news to me until I saw this thread.

No-one seems to have addressed how one rollerboard bag above 7 or 8 kilos, shared between TWO pax will be treated.

My wife and I often travel with 1 bag as it is far simpler. And of course takes up HALF the overhead space, others will then be able to use.

Once the shiny new TEMU gate scales are in operation, will staff be empowered with a common sense and allow a 10 kilo bag for 2 pax to be okayed?

Does not seem to be addressed above.

 

[antycbr]

It is Virgin … as usual nobody road tested this, or adjusted relevant web pages.

Not sure how many others did NOT get any emails on this, but was all news to me until I saw this thread.

No-one seems to have addressed how one rollerboard bag above 7 or 8 kilos, shared between TWO pax will be treated.

My wife and I often travel with 1 bag as it is far simpler. And of course takes up HALF the overhead space, others will then be able to use.

Once the shiny new TEMU gate scales are in operation, will staff be empowered with a common sense and allow a 10 kilo bag for 2 pax to be okayed?

Does not seem to be addressed above.

My understanding is that weight is a safety issue, not a size issue.

 

[justinbrett]

My understanding is that weight is a safety issue, not a size issue.

I really don’t think so. It’s an efficiency issue (being able to depart on time) by ensuring all bags can fit in the lockers.

If QF can do 10Kg, BA can do 23Kg, AA can do unlimited… I don’t think any of those airlines are unsafe.

VA is slowly transitioning to MAX aircraft which can hold 50% more bags. Will the allowance go back up?

 

[Human]

If QF can do 10Kg, BA can do 23Kg, AA can do unlimited… I don’t think any of those airlines are unsafe.

I was flying an airline in Europe recently (can't remember which ... either Finnair or Air France) and at the gate my carry-on was weighed to ensure that it weighed less than the permitted 12kg.

 

[RooFlyer]

My understanding is that weight is a safety issue, not a size issue.

I really don’t think so. <snip>

At least in part it’s a safety issue for the FA’s. They don’t want to have to haul heavy carry ons up and down out of lockers when rearranging etc. There are comments above from twinaisle about FA injuries and losing money on sick pay and unions “ going to town on bags”.

I dare say the differing privileges for different categories or passengers was some sort of compromise.

Unions of other airlines either have a different view or don’t have the negotiating leverage.

 

[justinbrett]

At least in part it’s a safety issue for the FA’s. They don’t want to have to haul heavy carry ons up and down out of lockers when rearranging etc. There are comments above from twinaisle about FA injuries and losing money on sick pay and unions “ going to town on bags”.

I dare say the differing privileges for different categories or passengers was some sort of compromise.

Unions of other airlines either have a different view or don’t have the negotiating leverage.

I think all of the airlines I mentioned have a policy of not handling carry on bags. If you’re unable to lift it, it will be checked.

 

[RooFlyer]

I think all of the airlines I mentioned have a policy of not handling carry on bags. If you’re unable to lift it, it will be checked.

Perhaps policy*, but the point about with Virgin and the limit being in part a safety issue, remains. Not just 'efficiency'.

* I have certainly seen BA FAs lifting bags out and back up to re-shuffle (note also I was talking about reshuffle, above)

 

[justinbrett]

Perhaps policy*, but the point about with Virgin and the limit being in part a safety issue, remains. Not just 'efficiency'.

* I have certainly seen BA FAs lifting bags out and back up to re-shuffle (note also I was talking about reshuffle, above)

Seems like it would be easier to just enforce employee procedures.

I’ve also seen many BA FAs with tools to close the overhead lockers to prevent them reaching up. Merely the act of reaching (especially for a short person) can cause injury, regardless of weight.

 

[PERLHR]

Perhaps policy*, but the point about with Virgin and the limit being in part a safety issue, remains. Not just 'efficiency'.

* I have certainly seen BA FAs lifting bags out and back up to re-shuffle (note also I was talking about reshuffle, above)

As do easyJet. It's amazing actually watching them and how they do it with such precision.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I really don’t think so. It’s an efficiency issue (being able to depart on time) by ensuring all bags can fit in the lockers.

If QF can do 10Kg, BA can do 23Kg, AA can do unlimited… I don’t think any of those airlines are unsafe.

VA is slowly transitioning to MAX aircraft which can hold 50% more bags. Will the allowance go back up?

Oh!

BA used to be unlimited! Not that there’s much of a difference between ‘unlimited’ and ‘23kg’ when it comes to cabin baggage… unless you were carrying bricks?

10kg for QF domestic. Only 7 for international.

I was connecting MEL-SYD-HKG a couple months ago and a gate staff saw my bag on boarding the HKG flight. I said ‘I think it’s 8kg’… she gasped, tut tutted, and said ‘that could KILL someone’.

I had to gate check.

I didn’t have the guts to point out that the domestic flight I’d just come from allowed 10kg!

Crew should never lift bags, unless for a passenger in need of special assistance, and for those pax there should be a strict limit of 5kg or less per bag if they are going to require assistance to put bags overhead.

It is Virgin … as usual nobody road tested this, or adjusted relevant web pages.

Not sure how many others did NOT get any emails on this, but was all news to me until I saw this thread.

No-one seems to have addressed how one rollerboard bag above 7 or 8 kilos, shared between TWO pax will be treated.

My wife and I often travel with 1 bag as it is far simpler. And of course takes up HALF the overhead space, others will then be able to use.

Once the shiny new TEMU gate scales are in operation, will staff be empowered with a common sense and allow a 10 kilo bag for 2 pax to be okayed?

Does not seem to be addressed above.

Not covered in any emails because no one needs it explained. The max is 8kg per piece.

Can’t be simpler than that.

 

[justinbrett]

Oh!

BA used to be unlimited! Not that there’s much of a difference between ‘unlimited’ and ‘23kg’ when it comes to cabin baggage… unless you were carrying bricks?

10kg for QF domestic. Only 7 for international.

I was connecting MEL-SYD-HKG a couple months ago and a gate staff saw my bag on boarding the HKG flight. I said ‘I think it’s 8kg’… she gasped, tut tutted, and said ‘that could KILL someone’.

I had to gate check.

I didn’t have the guts to point out that the domestic flight I’d just come from allowed 10kg!

Crew should never lift bags, unless for a passenger in need of special assistance, and for those pax there should be a strict limit of 5kg or less per bag if they are going to require assistance to put bags overhead.

Not covered in any emails because no one needs it explained. The max is 8kg per piece.

Can’t be simpler than that.

QF allow pieces up to 10Kg on international flights flying W, J or F if you are a FF. I’m pretty sure this is quite new (it used to be 7kg along with domestic).

So again clearly this is a space thing as Y are being told to bring less (the lockers are the same). That said, I have never seen them way bags on international flights. You were very unlucky.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QF allow pieces up to 10Kg on international flights flying W, J or F if you are a FF. I’m pretty sure this is quite new (it used to be 7kg along with domestic).

So again clearly this is a space thing as Y are being told to bring less (the lockers are the same). That said, I have never seen them way bags on international flights. You were very unlucky.

That’s a real problem there for the vast majority of connecting pax… 10kg allowed in the main cabin domestic, then they force you to gate check it once you go to board your international

My cabin bag is the largest allowed for international carriage, although by no means the largest that some people manage to get away with on boarding.

So as with the new VA policy… i don’t see size as the main issue here. They’re wanting to reduce weight and save $$

 

[PERLHR]

I guess, all things considered, many pax would have no issues in checking bags if the handling agents and airports were much better in the check in experience and the deliver of bags after arrivals. This I think is the major issue. After a short flight and indeed a long flight no one really wants to wait the flight time for a bag to be collected. Improve that service then maybe it will easier with the take on bags. Indeed, certainly with VA, I, and I'm sure others, still buy a choice fare but choose to take bag on board for the convenience simply of get of the aircraft and go.However airlines don't play that game, they contract on loose terms with handling agents, pay the minimum they can get away with, probably don't even monitor Key Performance Indicators on bag arrivals and loading anyway, don't care much at check in (try finding staff members) and expect the pax who are paying for the "service" to do everything and then they wonder why people try to bring on what they do!

 

[justinbrett]

That’s a real problem there for the vast majority of connecting pax… 10kg allowed in the main cabin domestic, then they force you to gate check it once you go to board your international

My cabin bag is the largest allowed for international carriage, although by no means the largest that some people manage to get away with on boarding.

So as with the new VA policy… i don’t see size as the main issue here. They’re wanting to reduce weight and save $$

I have never seen them weigh bags on international flights. Frankly your report is the first I’ve heard of it happening.

Maybe if you’re on a 737 they might take a closer look but in my experience they do not care about widebody international flights.

But yes by the letter of the policy the international flight limit prevails, and this is explicitly stated in the policy. Domestic connections are often included for no extra fare, makes no sense to give those pax a higher allowance than those originating from the international departure point.

Truthfully, was your bag actually 8Kg? Or 18Kg? Even JQd would wave through a 7kg bag (certainly in my experience).