Sports Equipment

Want to take your archery equipment with you? No problem – with Virgin Atlantic you can bring a bag containing one bow, one quiver and your arrows.

That’s in addition to your free baggage allowance, naturally. And there’s no extra charge, as long as your equipment doesn’t weigh more than 23kg. Bullseye!

If you’re planning a cycling trip and only your own ride will do, you’ll be glad to know you can bring your bicycle with you at no extra charge - as long as it doesn’t weigh more than 23kg.

That’s in addition to your free baggage allowance.

This applies to non-motorised bicycles (including tandems), which should be transported in a protective box or bag – which you will need to provide yourself.

You should also take the following measures to protect your trusty steed:

• Partially deflate the tyres to reduce the risk of damage.
• Turn the handlebars so they’re in line with the frame.
• Remove any attachments, including pedals.
• Ensure the gearing is especially well protected.
• Protect the frame with bubble wrap.
  

As with all your luggage, we’ll treat your bicycle with lots of care, but note that we can’t consider compensation claims for cosmetic damage such as paint chips. We recommend you specifically insure your bicycle for extra peace of mind.

Happy riding!

If white water wets your whistle, you'll be glad to know you're welcome to bring a canoe or kayak on your flight. That's in addition to your free baggage allowance, and there's no extra charge.

Your canoe or kayak must not exceed 4.5m (162") in length, or 23Kg in weight. If it exceeds these limits, please contact our Shipping Department on 0844 873 8000.

We know how valuable equipment like this is and treat your property with care, but you should still take a few measures to protect your canoe or kayak for its flight. When packing, please ensure that:

• It's securely wrapped (ideally within a padded bag);
  
• Items like paddles, seats, buoyancy aids, spray decks and helmets are packed inside the canoe/kayak (provided the overall weight limit is not exceeded).

Many of our destinations offer great diving – so make the most of it! You can bring your own diving equipment in addition to your free baggage allowance, and there’s no extra charge as long as the overall weight isn’t more than 23kg.

Your diving equipment may include:

• One empty cylinder
• One regulator
• Buoyancy control jacket
  
• Mask
• Pressure gauge
• One set of fins
• One spear gun (unloaded, with spears packed separately).
• Snorkel
• Diver’s knife
• Weight belt

If you’re planning a fishing trip, you can bring your equipment with you in addition to your free baggage allowance. There’s no extra charge as long as it all weighs in at under 23kg.

Fishing equipment can comprise:

• Two rods
• One reel
• One pair of fishing boots
• One tackle box
• One landing net

Planning a golf trip with Virgin Atlantic? We’ll fly your golf equipment for no extra charge as long as it weighs in at 23kg or less, and you can bring it in addition to your free baggage allowance.

Here’s what your golf equipment can include:

• One bag (containing a maximum of 14 clubs).
• A dozen balls
• An umbrella
• One pair of golf shoes.

As you might imagine, we have a few rules surrounding firearms.

You can check in as many firearms as you’d like as part of your free baggage allowance, provided you have the correct paperwork to confirm you’re allowed to own each item. You’ll also need paperwork demonstrating you are allowed to import, export and own each item within the countries your trip will take you to.

If you’re travelling to the US, Shanghai or South Africa, there are additional considerations. Please check below for further details.

Excess baggage charges will apply should you exceed your free baggage allowance (details of fees are on our additional baggage page).

For clarity, we define a firearm as anything that fires a projectile – whether it uses air, string or explosives to do so. This includes items such as:

• Sporting rifles
• Pellet guns
• Crossbows
• Antique weapons (these must be decommissioned, so they are no longer able to fire).
  

Virgin Atlantic has Home Office permission to carry handguns classified under section 5 of the Dangerous Weapons Act. As with sporting firearms, you must have the appropriate documentation for both ownership and carriage of these items.

Ammunition

We define the following items as ammunition:

• Lead pellets
• Arrows
• Crossbow bolts
• Bullets
  

Note that all firearms must be empty when you pack them. Ammunition must be packed separately from firearms in its original packaging and locked in a solid case.

Ammunition is limited to 5kgs per passenger, in line with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and cannot be pooled with other passengers.

Any ammunition containing explosive bullets, toxins or incendiary projectiles will not be accepted on our flights in any circumstances.

Travelling with firearms to specific destinations

South Africa

You’ll need a temporary import licence to take a weapon into South Africa. You can obtain it on arrival, and at the time of writing there’s no charge. When flying to Johannesburg or Cape Town with us, please contact one of our ground staff when you leave the aircraft – they’ll help you locate the relevant official to get the licence.

If you’re a resident of South Africa, you won’t need the import licence, but you must have the relevant South African firearm permit.

You’ll need to present the following items to obtain the temporary import licence (please note, we’re not required to check you’re in possession of every single one to let you fly):

• Valid passport
• Return airline ticket (to country of origin).
• Weapons licence(s) and/or proof of ownership.
• Proof of export from the country of origin.
• Invitation letter from an Outfitter (professional hunter) in South Africa.
• All the weapons you’re travelling with.
• All the ammunition you’re travelling with (this will be inspected by the South African Police Service).
  

If you’re unable to show the above, the South African Police will hold your weapon until your return flight.

Shanghai

No firearms are permitted on this route, with the exception of diplomats.

USA

The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is responsible for regulating the carriage of firearms into the US.

To enter the States with a firearm or ammunition intended for hunting or sporting purposes, visitors not intending to live in the US must first obtain an approved Form 6 import permit from the ATF. You can get the form from the US Embassy, or download it from the ATF website at www.atf.gov.

Note that you’ll need to apply for permission to fly with your firearm a minimum of one week in advance of travel.

Are you heading for the slopes? We’ll transport your ski or snowboard gear at no extra charge, in addition to your free baggage allowance - as long as it doesn’t exceed 23kg.

Here’s what you can bring:

Skiing/waterskiing:

• One pair of skis (or water skis).
• Ski boots
• Poles
• A mask or helmet.

Snowboarding:

• One snowboard
• Boots and bindings
• One helmet
  

If you’re the talented type that can ski and snowboard, note that we can’t take both sets of gear as part of your free baggage allocation – it’s one or the other.

Plenty of our destinations boast gorgeous coastlines, so why not make the most of it by bringing your windsurfing or kitesurfing gear?

You can bring it in addition to your free baggage allowance, at no extra charge – as long as it doesn’t weigh more than 23kg.

Here’s what you can bring:

Windsurfing:

• One board
• One mast
• One boom
• One sail
  

These must be wrapped as a single item in a bag.

Kitesurfing:

• One board
• One sail
  

These must be wrapped as a single item in a bag.

Note that you can bring either windsurfing or kitesurfing gear – not both. In either case, the board must not exceed 277 cm (109 inches) in length.