Your guide to Virgin Australia carry-on baggage allowances

Flying 'carry-on only' doesn't merely take some of the hassle out of business trips – it also saves time, by not having to check-in a suitcase, and wait for it to arrive after every flight.

But with various size, weight and item limits in place across Virgin Australia flights, it's important to get things right to avoid your carry-on strategy coming unzipped: here's what you need to know.

Virgin Australia carry-on baggage allowance for domestic, international flights

Across most Virgin Australia domestic flights – as well as international flights, when available – passengers can choose the cabin baggage allowance that works best for them.

There's no need to 'nominate' your preference with the airline: provided your carry-on luggage complies with one of the three possible combinations, you're good to fly.

Cabin baggage allowance for business class, Velocity Gold and Platinum

For business class passengers of all Velocity status levels, as well as for Velocity Gold and Platinum cardholders travelling in economy (and Economy X), cabin baggage options are as follows. 

For example, a traveller might choose to take aboard one single bag of 7kg with total dimensions up to 115cm – or, to travel with two slightly smaller bags in the cabin, or indeed, a regular bag plus a garment bag.

As each item can weigh up to 7kg, travellers packing two bags can cart along up to 14kg: while those preferring a single, larger bag remain capped at 7kg.

In addition to the above, a personal item is also permitted, such as a laptop computer.

Cabin baggage allowance for other economy flyers, and Alliance Airlines

Not booked in business class, and don't have a shiny Velocity Gold or Platinum frequent flyer card? You can instead pack to Virgin Australia's standard cabin baggage allowance.

As well, if you're travelling on a Virgin Australia flight operated by Alliance Airlines, you'll also need to pack to the allowance below, even if you're a Velocity Gold or Platinum cardholder.

Virgin Australia's standard cabin baggage allowance lets you choose between the following options:

The key difference between this and the higher-tier allowance is that when travelling with two cabin bags, you're constrained to a total combined weight of 7kg – as opposed to 7kg per item, 14kg total, as above.

As with business class and the Velocity Gold/Platinum allowance, one personal item is also permitted, such as a laptop computer.

Note, there's no additional cabin baggage allowance for Velocity Silver or Red members, or for Economy X passengers (except those with Gold or Platinum status, as above).

How to measure dimensions for cabin baggage

Confused by the 'dimensions' figures above? These simply reflect the length, width and depth of each cabin bag, when added together.

You can obtain these measurements by taking a tape measure to your own bag – but here's an example.

Rimowa's Cabin S bag is 55cm in height, 40cm in width, and 20cm in depth. Add these three numbers together, and you've got 115cm: right on the size limit when travelling with a single item.

Don't forget, the weight limits above also reflect the total 'packed' weight of your luggage – including both your items, and the bag itself.

Heavy bags, such as that Rimowa Cabin S, which weighs 4.2kg when empty, would quickly consume your allowance, and leave you with less than 3kg of weight to use for your belongings.

General guidelines for Virgin Australia carry-on baggage

Other than the basic rules regarding size and weight, you should also observe the following restrictions and guidelines:

• All carry-on baggage must fit either underneath the seat in front of you, or in the overhead locker.
• Passengers in the first row of business class and economy, as well as those in the emergency exit rows, must store all baggage in the lockers above, for take-off and landing.
• Inflatable items must be deflated before travel. This includes footballs, basketballs, and other similar items.
• Bulky musical instruments such as a guitar or cello can travel in the aircraft cabin, but an additional seat must be purchased for these items, and the item secured using the seatbelt.
• On international flights, the usual restrictions on liquids, gels, aerosols and powders apply, as on any airline.

Frequently asked questions

How strict is Virgin Australia with carry-on baggage?

At times, Virgin Australia has been known to readily enforce its carry-on baggage requirements, particularly its cabin baggage weight limits.

Since those limits were increased for business class flyers as well as for Velocity Gold and Platinum members in 2018, enforcement has been less noticeable (and less necessary), particularly with most passengers also entitled to a complimentary checked bag.

Of course, you should continue to pack within the published limits, and expect to have your bag weighed at any time – including at the check-in desk, upon entry into a lounge, or at the boarding gate.

Can you bring two carry-on bags with Virgin Australia?

Yes, all passengers are permitted two cabin bags on Virgin Australia flights, provided each bag measures up at 105cm or less. However, most travellers can only pack to a total combined weight of 7kg – with only business class, Velocity Gold and Velocity Platinum permitted 2x7kg bags (14kg total).

Can you purchase a higher carry-on baggage allowance with Virgin Australia?

At the time of writing, it's not possible to directly purchase an increased cabin baggage allowance for an individual flight, in the same way that you can purchase an increased checked baggage allowance.

However, by booking business class, you'll be assured a higher cabin baggage allowance than is afforded to most economy flyers: unless you're also a Velocity Gold or Platinum member, which would see the allowance remain the same in either cabin.

Also read: Your guide to Qantas' carry-on baggage allowances

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.