8.1 Free baggage allowance
You can carry some Baggage free of charge subject to our conditions and limitations, which are available upon from us, our Authorised Agent or on our website. Subject to those conditions and limitations, the maximum permitted weight for a single item of Checked Baggage is 32kgs/70lbs. Single items in excess of that weight will not be accepted for carriage as Checked Baggage. Priority will always be given to carriage of Checked Baggage within the applicable free baggage allowance. Passengers with reduced mobility have further rights with regard to the carriage of mobility aids. Information can be obtained from us.
8.2 Excess baggage
You will be required to pay an extra charge for carriage of Baggage in excess of the free Baggage allowance. These rates are available from us, our Authorised Agent or on our website. Carriage of excess Baggage is subject to available space on your flight.
8.3 Items unacceptable as baggage
8.3.1 You must not include in your Baggage:
8.3.1.1 items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, such as those specified in Dangerous Articles; or
8.3.1.2 items the carriage of which are prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from or to;
8.3.1.3 items which are reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous, unsafe or by reason of their weight, size, shape or character, or which are fragile or perishable having regard to, among other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request.
8.3.2 Firearms and ammunition other than for hunting and sporting purposes are prohibited from carriage as Baggage. Firearms and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes may be accepted only as Checked Baggage, subject to prior approval by us and by the Captain of the aircraft on the date or dates of carriage. If accepted for carriage, firearms must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed, and accompanied by all documents legally required by the country of departure, destination and any Stopovers. Carriage of ammunition is subject to ICAO and IATA regulations as specified in Article 8.3.1.1.
8.3.3 Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives, toy or replica guns, bows and arrows and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage at our discretion, subject to prior approval by us and by the Captain of the aircraft on the date or dates of carriage, but will not be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.
8.3.4 You must not include in Checked Baggage fragile or perishable items, valuable items (including, but not limited to, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices), any medication or medical equipment which may be required in-flight or during your trip or which cannot be swiftly replaced if lost or damaged, house or car keys, valuable documents (including, but not limited to, business documents, passports and other identification documents, negotiable papers, securities, deeds), or samples. If an item of Unchecked Baggage is required, for any reason, to become Checked Baggage, you must remove all items of the type just mentioned beforehand.
8.3.5 If, despite being prohibited, any items referred to in Articles 8.3.1, 8.3.2 or 8.3.4 are included in your Checked Baggage and subsequently lost or damaged, we shall rely on the limits and exclusions of liability and all other protections available to us under Regulation 2027/97, the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention.
8.4 Right to refuse carriage
8.4.1 Subject to Articles 8.3.2 and 8.3.3, we will refuse to carry as Baggage the items described in Article 8.3, and we may refuse further carriage of any such items upon discovery.
8.4.2 We may refuse to carry as Baggage any item reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because of its size, shape, weight, content, character, or for safety or operational reasons, or the comfort of other passengers. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request.
8.4.3 We may refuse to accept Baggage for carriage unless it is in our reasonable opinion properly and securely packed in suitable containers. Information about packing and containers unacceptable to us is available upon request.
8.5 Right of search
8.5.1 For reasons of safety and security we may require you to submit to a search and scan of your person and a search, scan or x-ray of your Baggage. If you are not available, your Baggage may be searched in your absence for the purpose of determining whether you are in possession of or whether your Baggage contains any item described in 8.3.1 or any firearms, ammunition or weapons, which have not been presented to us in accordance with 8.3.2 or 8.3.3. If you are unwilling to comply with our requirements, we may refuse to carry you and your Baggage. In the event a search or scan causes Damage to you, or an x-ray or scan causes damage to your Baggage, we shall not be liable for such Damage unless due to our fault or negligence.
8.5.2 Please note that the security authorities of some countries require that Checked Baggage is secured in such a manner that it can be opened without the possibility of causing damage in the absence of the Passenger. It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of and comply with any such requirements.
8.6 Checked baggage
8.6.1 Upon delivery to us of your Baggage which you wish to check we will take custody of, and issue a Baggage Identification Tag for each piece of your Checked Baggage.
8.6.2 Checked Baggage must have your name or other personal identification affixed to it.
8.6.3 Checked Baggage will, whenever possible, be carried on the same aircraft as you, unless we decide for safety, security or operational reasons to carry it on an alternative flight. If your Checked Baggage is carried on a subsequent flight we will deliver it to you, unless applicable law requires you to be present for customs clearance.
8.6.4 You must ensure that your Checked Baggage and Unchecked Baggage is sufficiently robust and well secured to withstand the usual and normal rigours of carriage by air without sustaining damage (except fair wear and tear) and that it is properly locked.
8.7 Unchecked baggage
8.7.1 We may specify maximum dimensions and/or weight for Unchecked Baggage which you carry on to the aircraft. If we have not done so, Unchecked Baggage which you carry onto the aircraft must fit under the seat in front of you or in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft. If your Unchecked Baggage cannot be stored in this manner, or is of excessive weight (with reference to the limits as stated in your Ticket), or is considered unsafe for any reason, it must be carried as Checked Baggage.
8.7.2 Objects not suitable for carriage in the cargo compartment (such as delicate musical instruments), and which do not meet the requirements in Article 8.7.1, will only be accepted for carriage in the cabin compartment if you have given us notice in advance and permission has been granted by us. You may have to pay an extra charge for this service. For baggage charges please see Baggage.
8.8 Collection and delivery of checked baggage
8.8.1 Subject to Article 8.6.3, you are required to collect your Checked Baggage as soon as it is made available at your destination or Stopover. Should your Checked Baggage not be claimed within three (3) months of the time it is made available, we will dispose of it without any liability to you.
8.8.2 Only the bearer of the Baggage Check and Baggage Identification Tag is entitled to delivery of the Checked Baggage. We cannot take any responsibility for ensuring that the bearer of the Baggage Check is entitled to delivery.
8.8.3 If a person claiming Checked Baggage is unable to produce the Baggage Check and identify the Baggage by means of a Baggage Identification Tag, we will deliver the Baggage to such person only on condition that he or she establishes to our satisfaction his or her right to the Baggage.
8.9 Animals and Assistance Dogs
8.9.1 The carriage of animals is subject to prior agreement with us at the time of booking and in compliance with applicable procedures and conditions as specified by us. For the carriage of Assistance Dogs see Article 8.9.2.
8.9.2 Assistance Dogs
On routes where the carriage of Assistance Dogs is permitted by us it is subject to the following conditions:
8.9.2.1 Only Assistance Dogs accompanying disabled passengers can be taken into the aircraft cabin.
8.9.2.2 You must ensure that an Assistance Dog travelling with you has been fully trained and certified by a recognised organisation and that you have the requisite health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, transit permits, exit permits and documents for the animal required by the countries of departure, entry or transit, validly obtained and remaining in force for the duration of your flight. Details of recognised organisations can be obtained from any Virgin Atlantic Airways office.
8.9.2.3 We are not liable to you for any loss you suffer because you do not have the required permits and documentation for your Assistance Dog. You must repay us any fines, costs, charges, losses or liabilities we have incurred because you failed to have the correct paperwork.
8.9.2.4 We reserve the right to refuse carriage of any Assistance Dog:
a) for safety reasons;
b) if it appears to us that your Assistance Dog may have a disease which is believed to be communicable and life threatening or could have an adverse effect on the welfare or comfort of passengers or crew, is considered to be a potential safety hazard to the flight, or which may cause the flight to be diverted or perform an unscheduled stop.
If you are denied boarding for any reason in Article 8.9.2.4, we will have no further liability to you.
8.9.3 Unless the carriage of your animal or Assistance Dog is covered by the liability rules of Regulation 2027/97, the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention, we will not be responsible for its loss, injury, sickness or death.
