Check in baggage

You’ll find our weight limits for checked in luggage below.

Bear in mind that we’ll carry most sports equipment in addition to these allowances for no extra charge, provided it weighs less than 23kg. There are a few extra considerations with specific sporting items though - so before you come to baggage check in, please check our sports equipment pages to ensure your equipment qualifies.

In addition, Gold members of Flying Club can check in an extra piece of luggage on all Virgin Atlantic operated flights for no extra charge (weighing up to 23kg). It doesn’t matter which cabin you’re flying - Gold is Gold! 

If you’d like to check in extra baggage beyond the limits outlined here, you can - but you’ll need to pay an extra baggage fee. You’ll find details on the additional baggage page.

If you've booked a journey with Virgin Atlantic which includes Virgin Atlantic mixed class or a trip on another airline, each class or airlines baggage allowance will apply for each of the individual sectors.

Please note luggage cannot be combined; if flying with more than one person, you will be charged with an extra baggage cost. Each luggage (up to 23kg) per person is free of charge.

For bookings made and ticketed from the 1st November 2012 the baggage allowance for all Economy passengers travelling between South Africa – USA – South Africa has increased to 2 bags at 23kg each.

Additional items you can take with you

To help with baggage conundrums, we’ve compiled the following list to clarify the bits and bobs you can take onboard in addition to the allowances above:

Your handbag, pocketbook or purse, as you would normally use it (in other words, not just being used to contain items that would otherwise be regarded as baggage).

• Your overcoat or wrap.
• Your umbrella or walking stick (these cannot be pointed or sharp).
• A small camera and/or pair of binoculars.
• A reasonable amount of reading matter for the flight.
• An infant’s food (for consumption on the flight).
• A small amount of duty free goods.
• Headphones for onboard use (they’ll need the standard 3.5mm jack).

If you bring large electrical items with you (such as laptops), please remember that you’ll need to remove them from your bag for security screening. You’ll be asked to place them in a tray so they can be clearly scanned.

Mobility aids such as walking aids and manual collapsible wheelchairs can also be taken on-board some of our flights. Where space isn’t available onboard your wheelchair will be placed in the hold and brought out first after landing so that it is ready for you at the gate or baggage reclaim area, depending on the security rules at the airport.  Bear in mind that they’ll need to be x-rayed or searched thoroughly at security, though.

For further restrictions on dangerous and restricted items, please see our dangerous articles page.

Hypodermic syringes

We realise it’s essential for some of our passengers to carry hypodermic needles and other medical equipment in order to treat a medical condition. If you have a medical reason that requires you to inject during the course of a flight, naturally you can carry your syringes in your hand baggage.

However, please ensure you’re able to provide adequate medical evidence in the form of a doctor’s letter and prescription. You’ll be asked to show this when you check in and at security screening, and you should keep it with you at all times. We also ask that you bring your own sharps box so you can dispose of your needles safely and hygienically. For more information, please refer to our page on flying with medication.

Musical instruments

If you’re planning on bringing a musical instrument with you, bear in mind it may not fit within your hand baggage allowance.

If it exceeds the hand baggage allowance measurements, you’ll need to check it in (and pay an additional baggage fee, if it takes you over your check in allowance).

However, rather than checking it in on the spot we’ll still ask you to carry it through to the airport security checkpoint (subject to relevant Airport Security approval). As instruments are especially fragile, this ensures safer carriage. It will be taken at the departure gate for loading into the hold of the aircraft, so please make sure it’s suitably protected when you pack it.

Alternatively, you can book a maximum of two extra seats for your instruments.  They cannot exceed 75kg (165 lbs) and their centre of mass should be no more than 30cm (12 inches) above the top of the seat cushion.

For any questions about bringing a large musical instrument, please contact us in advance of your flight.