Virgin overhauls baggage allowance

Virgin Australia has announced plans to switch from a weight-based baggage allowance to a per piece system.

Virgin Australia will switch from a weight-based checked baggage allowance to a per piece system, the airline announced yesterday.

The changes, which will affect tickets purchased after May 16, applies to domestic and international short haul flights. International long haul and carry-on baggage policies will not change.

Under the airline’s current system, economy passengers are allowed to check baggage weighing up to 23kg while premium economy and business class passenger can check bags weighing up to 69kg. Under the new system, economy passengers will be able to check one bag with a maximum weight of 23kg, while higher classes can check two bags weighing up to 32kg each.

Under both systems, a baggage allowance is not included in Virgin’s cheapest ‘saver’ fares but can be purchased for between $12 and $15 on domestic routes or $25 to $30 on international short haul routes.

Virgin will also change its overweight and excess baggage policies. Under the current system, excess baggage is charged at $15 per kg. Under the new system, economy fare bags weighing more than 23kg up to the maximum allowable weight of 32kg will be charged a flat fee of $40. An allowance for additional bags can be pre-purchased for fees starting at $32 for domestic flights and $80 for international short haul flights. Extra bags purchased at the airport carry significantly higher fees.