Published 16 June 2026 | Updated 15 September 2026 by Jane Robinson
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.
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Need to add extra baggage? Go to Virgin Atlantic Manage My Booking to add bags to your booking or check your exact allowance.
| LIGHT | CLASSIC | DELIGHT | PREMIUM | UPPER CLASS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 10 kg | 2 x up to 12 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. You can also bring a small personal item, such as a handbag or small rucksack, in addition to that cabin bag, on every Economy and Premium fare. Since 23 March 2026, a hand bag over the cabin allowance can cost £65 and travel in the hold. 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 and Upper Class both include two checked bags as standard, each up to 90 x 75 x 43 cm, but the weight allowance and extras differ:
- Premium: 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: two checked bags at up to 32 kg each, totalling 64 kg of hold luggage. Upper Class is also the only cabin with two cabin bags rather than one, a combined 16 kg across two items with no single bag over 12 kg. Upper Class also includes Clubhouse lounge access at Heathrow, a flat bed on board, and dine-on-demand.
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 don’t cover oversized items. Pushchairs and car seats travel in the hold and aren’t counted against your allowance on most routes. Confirm with Virgin Atlantic before travel if you’re 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.
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. Since 23 March 2026, a hand bag over the allowance can cost £65 and go in the hold.
What is the weight limit for Virgin Atlantic checked bags?
Economy and Premium passengers can check bags up to 23 kg each, no larger than 90 x 75 x 43 cm. Upper Class passengers get a 32 kg limit per bag, same maximum size. Bags over these limits are charged for excess weight or size.
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.
Does Virgin Atlantic Upper Class get more hand luggage than Economy?
Yes. Upper Class passengers can bring two hand baggage items with a combined weight of 16 kg, with no single item over 12 kg, instead of the one 10 kg bag allowed in Economy, Economy Delight and Premium.
Can I bring a handbag as well as my cabin bag with Virgin Atlantic?
Yes. Economy and Premium passengers can carry a small personal item, such as a handbag or small rucksack, in addition to their 10 kg cabin bag.
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.
- It’s also worth knowing when Virgin Atlantic has sales. The Boxing Day and Black Friday promotions can cut fares significantly, so it pays to time your booking.
- Flying short-haul too? Our UK airline hand luggage comparison lines up easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air, Norwegian and Vueling side by side.
- Check the full allowances on the Virgin Atlantic baggage page before you fly.
- For the full booking timeline, see our guide to when Virgin Atlantic releases flights.
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.
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Flight Tribe covers deals for readers first. Affiliate links do not decide whether an offer is worth writing about.
