Virgin Australia To Reduce Carry-On Baggage Allowance

In yet another move that cements its shift towards offering a budget airline experience, Virgin Australia will soon halve the number of carry-on bags passengers will be allowed to bring on board flights. The change will limit many travellers to a single cabin bag from 2 February 2026, instead of the two currently permitted. The good news is that Virgin will slightly increase its carry-on weight limit from 7kg to 8kg, and continue to allow a personal item for under the seat in front.

Business Class passengers plus Velocity Gold and above members can still bring additional bags onboard, and retain their upsized 14kg limit. Those flying in Economy X will soon gain access to the same increased carry-on allowance.

Virgin Australia says the change will make boarding faster and reduce delays where passengers are fumbling with multiple bags. But it also reflects a strategy to run a leaner, more cost-efficient operation, that offers passengers less at a higher price.

“These changes are based on team member and guest feedback and will help deliver an enhanced onboard experience…The result will be a smoother start to the journey and a more comfortable experience on board,” says Virgin Australia COO Chris Snook.

“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,” Snook adds.

Virgin Australia’s New Carry-On Policy From 2026

Virgin’s new cabin baggage rules come into play from 2 February 2026. If you’re travelling in Economy, you will be limited to:

• One standard bag (up to 8kg and 56 x 36 x 23cm)
• One personal item (no weight limit, max size 45 × 33 × 20cm)

An increased 14kg weight limit, with no single piece over 8kg, applies to Business Class and Economy X travellers, plus those with Velocity Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus status. If that's you, you’ll receive the following limit:

• Two small bags (48 x 34 x 23cm) or one standard bag (56 x 36 x 23cm)
• One personal item (no weight limit, max size 45 × 33 × 20cm)
• One suit pack (no weight limit, max size 114cm x 60cm x 11cm)

Summing Up: Virgin’s New Baggage Rules

This baggage shake-up isn’t just about overhead locker space, it is another clear signal of Virgin’s evolving identity. Once positioned as a mid-market alternative to full-service rivals, Virgin is steadily aligning its product closer to budget competitor Jetstar.

But that doesn’t mean the change will be unwelcome for everyone. For many travellers, myself included, a single larger cabin bag plus a smaller personal item is reflects how we already pack. Ensuring nearly everyone onboard follows the ‘one up, one down’ system, it should be easier to find overhead space, and speed up aircraft turnarounds.

The increased 8kg weight limit is a step in the right direction, but it’s far from generous by global standards. More importantly, Virgin has introduced clear and fairly flexible size guidelines for personal items, with no weight limit.

Compared with domestic competitors, Virgin’s new rules land somewhere in the middle. On its cheapest fares, Jetstar allows two carry-on pieces totalling 7kg plus a third personal item. Qantas also permits up to three pieces, at a 14kg limit, split as one large or two small bags, plus a personal item.