Virgin to cut carry-on baggage allowance to one bag per passenger

Virgin will limit economy passengers to carry only one bag onto their planes, down from two, in a policy change aimed at greater efficiency and streamlining the travel experience.

From February 2, the airline will restrict economy passenger carry-on bags to one, weighing up to eight kilograms, along with a personal item such as a laptop or purse, the company said.

The current policy allows passengers two carry-on bags weighing up to a combined seven kilograms, along with a personal item. Virgin updated its website on Tuesday.

Virgin’s chief operations officer Chris Snook said: “These changes are based on team member and guest feedback, and will help deliver an enhanced onboard experience, while keeping the boarding process simple and consistent.”

Before relisting on the sharemarket in June, Virgin had pursued growing profitability through increased efficiency and additional offerings for passengers.

In August, chief executive Dave Emerson flagged plans to put more seats on some of Virgin’s planes, including adding an extra row in some cases.

The company’s “transformation program” which it embarked on before returning to the ASX, accounted for $450 million in gross benefits during fiscal year 2025, up from $270 million the previous year.

This week, the company will fly its first flight with pets onboard.

Snook said: “While these changes do not come into effect for our guests until February 2026, we wanted to let our loyal guests know well in advance and give our team members time to understand and implement the change.”

Virgin customers in business class, gold, forever gold, platinum and platinum plus Velocity members can take up to two carry-on bags weighing a combined 14 kilograms on flights, plus one small personal item such as a handbag that can fit under the seat in front.

Chrystal Zhang, an associate professor of aviation at RMIT University, said Virgin’s decision would be a “cost-saving game changer” for the airline.

“By streamlining the carry-on baggage allowance, it is likely that it will speed up the turnaround time between the flight legs (quick embarking and disembarking), which eventually could enhance the aircraft utilisation, reduce delay and improve overall operational efficiency,” Zhang said.

The carry-on baggage change also includes short-haul international flights to Bali, Fiji and New Zealand, Virgin said. Check-in baggage allowances will depend on the terms of the fare purchased.

Swinburne Department of Aviation associate lecturer Salim Hijazeen said: “It’s a very interesting idea as it may reduce boarding and deboarding time given less bags on board, though it really depends on how compliant the boarding teams are, or it will defeat the purpose.”

Jetstar allows two carry on items up to seven kilograms, plus a smaller personal item. Qantas allows one carry-on piece of up to 10 kilograms, or two smaller bags, up to 14 kilograms in total.

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