The Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance depends on which cabin and fare you book. Economy Light gets hand luggage only. Economy Classic and Delight include one 23 kg checked bag. Premium gets two bags at 23 kg each, and Upper Class gets two at 32 kg each. The difference between fares can be worth more than the price gap between tickets.
| LIGHT | CLASSIC | DELIGHT | PREMIUM | UPPER CLASS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg |
| Checked bag | Not included | 1 x 23 kg | 1 x 23 kg | 2 x 23 kg | 2 x 32 kg |
| Priority boarding | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance: Economy fare types explained
Economy Light is the base fare. It covers a hand bag (23 x 36 x 56 cm, up to 10 kg) but no checked luggage. If you need a hold bag, you add it separately. On most long-haul routes, a checked bag is a practical necessity, and the cost of adding one closes the gap with Economy Classic quickly. Seat selection is paid in advance but free when online check-in opens 24 hours before departure.
Economy Classic includes one 23 kg checked bag as standard. Economy Delight matches Classic on baggage but adds three extra inches of seat pitch (34 versus 31), premium check-in, and priority boarding. Delight is a comfort upgrade, not a baggage upgrade. You can compare allowances across carriers using the Flight Tribe airline luggage checker.
Premium and Upper Class: two bags as standard
Premium passengers get two checked bags at up to 23 kg each, priority check-in, and advance seat selection from the time of booking. For families or anyone travelling for more than a week, the double allowance alone can justify part of the price premium.
Upper Class passengers get two checked bags at up to 32 kg each, totalling 64 kg of hold luggage. Upper Class also includes Clubhouse lounge access at Heathrow, a flat bed on board, and dine-on-demand. For a complete look at whether the price is justified, see our guide on whether Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is worth it.
Sports equipment, pushchairs and oversized items
Sports equipment such as golf clubs, surfboards, and skis must be declared and booked in advance. Standard checked allowances do not cover oversized items. Pushchairs and car seats travel in the hold and are not counted against your allowance on most routes. Confirm with Virgin Atlantic before travel if you are carrying specialist equipment.
For more on what goes in the cabin versus the hold, the Virgin Atlantic hand luggage guide covers the exact size and weight rules. For a fare and baggage comparison with British Airways, see the Virgin Atlantic vs British Airways guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Economy Light include a checked bag with Virgin Atlantic?
No. Economy Light is hand luggage only (23 x 36 x 56 cm, up to 10 kg). A checked bag must be added at extra cost. Economy Classic and above include one 23 kg bag as standard.
What is the weight limit for Virgin Atlantic checked bags?
Economy and Premium passengers can check bags up to 23 kg each. Upper Class passengers get a 32 kg limit per bag. Bags over these limits are charged for excess weight per kilogram.
How many bags does Upper Class include?
Upper Class includes two checked bags at up to 32 kg each, for a total of 64 kg of hold luggage.
Can I add extra luggage after booking with Virgin Atlantic?
Yes, through Manage My Booking on virginatlantic.com. Adding luggage after booking costs more than at purchase. Airport walk-up prices are the most expensive option.
Jane Robinson is Senior Editor at Flight Tribe. She has a Master’s in English and Journalism, and writes about flight deals, holiday offers and practical ways UK travellers can spend less without wasting time on weak promotions. Jane has spent time living and working across Asia and New Zealand, which gave her a lasting interest in how people travel, eat, move around and spend their free time in different places.
At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on verified prices, realistic travel dates, booking terms and whether a deal is actually worth attention.
How Jane works
Jane checks offers against live supplier pages wherever possible, including prices, dates, departure points, baggage rules and booking conditions. She is quietly sceptical of anything that sounds too good to be true, and helps keep Flight Tribe’s travel advice useful, honest and easy to act on.
Editorial standards
Flight Tribe covers deals for readers first. Affiliate links do not decide whether an offer is worth writing about.
For more about how the site works, read:
