Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict are Virgin with hand luggage size and weight?
It’s a question we’re sometimes asked by our members, so we did a little research so you don’t have to.
Virgin are fairly lenient when it comes to hand luggage – as long as you’re sensible about it. With that said, it is recommended that you take precautions and stay within their limits to avoid any potential penalties.
And if you’re looking for a compliant carry on which is the perfect fit and superb value, we recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase on Amazon, currently available for around £50!
Hand luggage is included with all of Virgin’s tickets, and depending on your ticket type – you may be able to take more than just the one bag.
If you’re flying Economy or Premium however, you’ll be limited to one piece of hand luggage per person.
The maximum dimensions are as follows:
56 x 36 x 23cm (including any wheels or handles)
that’s around 22 x 14 x 9 inches
In addition to your main hand luggage, each passenger may carry on board additional smaller items such as a handbag or small backpack, an overcoat, umbrella, walking stick, small amount of duty free goods, etc.
Basically anything that is clearly not being used to contain items that would otherwise be regarded as baggage.
There are no dimensions or weight restrictions here although it certainly needs to be easily carried or you might encounter problems.
For more information you can check out Virgin’s hand luggage policy in further detail here.
The weight of your main hand luggage bag must not exceed 10kg or you may be penalised.
What we can say from our experience however, is that it’s rare for airlines to examine the weight of your hand luggage, as long as you check-in online before hand.
But with that said, you should try and stick within the limits where possible.
If you are slightly over, just be ready to stick on some of your heavy clothing to make up for it in the unlikely event you’re checked.
Think coat with deep pockets if you’re really looking to get your money’s worth!
Generally speaking, you can take all your toiletries through security as long as each bottle contains no more than 100ml each.
They must fit comfortably into one see-through, re-sealable bag no bigger than 20 x 20cm.
For more details on restrictions and exceptions on liquids please see this page.
Given that aircraft are often very tight for space, this is where you are most likely to be caught out.
Therefore, no is the simple answer to this one.
Certainly not if your main bag is that of a suitcase, or a hard shell.
After all, if Virgin decide they have the capacity to do a quick spot check at the gate, you wouldn’t be able to squeeze it into the steel cage should you be required to!
With that said, you might get away with it using a soft-edged bag like a backpack for instance, as you might be able to squeeze this into the sizer.
But even then, it’s a risk and you might still have to pay extra.
Perhaps more feasible is being able to board with a slightly overweight bag.
Besides, it is rare for airlines to weigh hand luggage these days, so it might be worth the risk if you really need the additional weight.
That’s as long as you’re all checked-in online anyway.
If you don’t or can’t check-in online, it’s more likely you will be asked questions at the desk and you could be asked to place your bag onto the conveyor belt for checking.
We’ve found that size is more of a factor than weight due to the fact that space is more critical on an aircraft.
If you decide to take the risk and get caught out, the penalties are fairly substantial.
In fact, you could buy yourself a compliant bag for much less!
If your hand luggage is checked and exceeds the dimensions and weight limits – it will be checked into the hold with a fee applied of around 50 euros, but this will depend on various factors.
Of which you can find out more details here.
This Flight Knight suitcase is superb value for money and the perfect fit for Virgin’s main hand luggage.
What’s more, the suitcase boasts a slick design and features the following:
Features:
We recommend taking precautions with Virgin and investing in a fully compliant bag like the one above.
If you’re going to risk it with an oversized bag – we would use a soft-sided backpack or holdall so that you can pad it down slightly.
And if you’re going to risk it with an overweight bag, you should be OK – but be prepared to repack and wear some of your heavy clothing to bring the weight down!
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