Virgin Atlantic’s New Baggage Policy

[joanne]

IT’S AS EASY AS 123 – VIRGIN ATLANTIC’S NEW BAGGAGE POLICY

• Extra allowance for passengers with sporting equipment
• Only UK long-haul airline to carry surfboards
• Flying Club Gold Card holders can take one additional bag in any cabin

Virgin Atlantic, the award-winning long-haul airline, today unveiled its new baggage policy – making it as easy as 123 for travellers. From 25 November 2009, Virgin Atlantic will be introducing a “piece system” across its network for all tickets booked after that date.

The changes are easy for passengers to remember:

Economy 1 – passengers can check-in 1 bag weighing up to 23 kilos
Premium Economy 2 – passengers can check-in 2 bags each weighing up to 23 kilos
Upper Class 3 – passengers can check-in up to 3 bags each weighing up to 23 kilos

Virgin Atlantic is also continuing to offer one of the airline industry’s most generous sporting bag allowances, enabling all passengers to check-in one additional bag weighing up to 23 kilos that contains sporting equipment, such as a golf bag, scuba diving equipment, or ski equipment. Virgin Atlantic is the only UK long-haul airline enabling passengers to check-in surfboards.

In addition, Flying Club Gold Card holders are entitled to take one additional bag on top of their free allowance, in any cabin. If travelling in Upper Class, this means Gold Card passengers can check-in up to four bags.

Passengers wanting to check-in extra bags will pay for each piece, with each extra bag costing £32/US$48 if paid for online. Higher charges will apply at airport check-in.

Chris Birch, Head of Product, Virgin Atlantic, said:

“Passengers can now benefit from one of the simplest and most generous baggage policies in the industry. It means lower charges for passengers wishing to take additional bags and a great allowance for those going on a sporting trip.”

Economy passengers travelling between Heathrow and Nairobi, and Heathrow and Lagos, will continue to be able to check-in two bags if travelling in economy.

Any passenger holding a ticket booked and ticketed before 25 November 2009 will be entitled to Virgin Atlantic’s existing baggage allowance. Any bags weighing over 32 kilos will not be accepted.

[Bec]

Thanks for the info Jo.

[jarretth]

The VA PR department seem to be making a right pigs ear of all this. If you look on the website http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/.../newpolicy.jsp there is an exceptions list at the bottom that says "Passengers travelling in Economy between the USA and India - one additional bag at 23 kilos." Does this mean anyone travelling to the USA can have an additional bag or only if you are through ticketted from the US to India?

[DisneyGemma]

Originally Posted by jarretth

Does this mean anyone travelling to the USA can have an additional bag or only if you are through ticketted from the US to India?

I would take that as travelling between USA and India, but lets hope they mean the latter!

[Damfino]

I'm confused. I'm flying out on the 25th November in Economy, so how do I stand, one or two bags? I don't think it'll affect me to much as the last time I travelled out with one bag, came back with two. I'm always going to do PE coming back so I'm not going to worry on that score, going out though...

[Bec]

I think you'll have 2x23kgs as you booked prior to 25th Nov you'll be on the old system. I would confirm this though.

[hayleyneeyore]

Great, so VA have taken away their only remaining redeeming feature. The reason we went with them this year and last is because of the great baggage allowance. We thought we were ok with the wedding next year as we'll have a ton of baggage.

Just to clarify - is this if you booked before Nov 25 or travel before Nov 25? If we book before Nov and travel next year will we be OK? Although I remember DizneyBlonde getting stung for extra baggage despite the fact she had booked before the cutoff.

[AlecK]

If you're booked, paid in full and eticket issued by Nov 24th Hayley. I would double check with VS though when you make the booking.

[TimonAndPumba]

ONE piece of luggage

How disapointing!!!! I know there are five of us but the old allowance didn't have us worrying, especially on the way back! This is just putting us off VA more and more

for the info Jo

[lizzx10r]

That was the only reason we used VA. Just received their Jan-Dec 2010 Usa Brochure yesterday and it states 2 pieces of luggage of 23kgs per person.