Baggage
19.1 Free baggage allowance
Your free Baggage allowance (if any) will be set out on your Ticket or on your itinerary and receipt. For more details see https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage.html. If you still are unsure of your free Baggage allowance, please ask us or our Authorised Agent.
19.2 Weight and size of baggage
(a) There are limits to the size and weight of Checked Baggage and Hand Baggage. These are set out on our website https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage.html
(b) The maximum weight allowed for a single item of Checked Baggage is 32kgs/70lbs. A single item over that weight will not be accepted as Checked Baggage.
(c) Any single item of Checked Baggage in excess of the size and weight limit may be taken as cargo if arranged in advance. For further information see https://cargo.virgin-atlantic.com/content/cargo/global/en/book.html
(d) If your Hand Baggage exceeds the weight and/or size limits set out on our website it must be carried as Checked Baggage and you must pay any applicable charges.
(e) If you have an item of Hand Baggage that:
(i) does not fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin; or
(ii) is not suitable to be carried as Checked Baggage (for example, because it is fragile),
you must get our prior approval to carry it as Hand Baggage. You may have to pay an extra charge for this.
(f) Passengers with reduced mobility have additional rights regarding the carriage of mobility aids. For more information and to contact us, visit https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/special-assistance.html
19.3 Condition and packing/securing of Baggage
You must make sure that your Baggage is:
(a) properly and securely packed, closed and locked; and
(b) robust enough to survive the usual conditions of a flight (including loading and unloading) without opening or becoming damaged.
Unless inconsistent with the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention (where applicable), we will have no liability for Damage to an item contained in unlocked or unsecured Baggage. We will also not be liable for cosmetic and/or superficial damage caused to Baggage during the normal rigors of air travel.
19.4. Additional baggage
(a) You must pay an additional charge for any Baggage in excess of your free Baggage allowance or if your Ticket does not include any free Baggage. Information on Baggage charges can be found at https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/additional-baggage.html
(b) We will only accept additional Baggage if there is space on your flight and we will prioritise the carriage of Checked Baggage that comes within a free baggage allowance.
19.5 Prohibited items
You must not put the following in your Baggage:
(a) items you are forbidden from carrying by law; or
(b) items that are unsafe, such as those specified in https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/dangerous-items.html or which are otherwise unsafe by reason of their nature, weight, size or shape.
If you put any of these items in your Baggage, we may refuse to carry you or your Baggage.
19.6 Fragile, valuable or perishable items
You must not put in your Checked Baggage:
(a) fragile or perishable items;
(b) valuable items (such as money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices) or valuable documents;
(c) medication or medical equipment you may need in-flight, during your trip or which cannot be quickly replaced if lost or damaged;
(d) house or car keys.
If you put any of these items in your Checked Baggage and it is then lost or damaged, we will 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.
19.7 Carrying special items
Specialist items (such as firearms and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes) may be accepted as Checked Baggage and be subject to additional regulations. Please see our website for further details https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/dangerous-items.html
19.8 Right to search your Baggage
(a) For safety and security reasons we may ask to search and scan you, and search, scan or x-ray your Baggage and you must cooperate with this. If you are not available, your Baggage may be searched without you to see if you are carrying any prohibited items or any specialist items that we have not agreed in advance to carry.
(b) If a search or scan causes Damage to you, or an x-ray or scan causes Damage to your Baggage, we will only be liable if it was caused by our negligence.
(c) Security authorities in some countries require that Checked Baggage is secured in a way that can be opened without causing damage. You must check whether any such requirements apply to your journey.
19.9 Checked Baggage
(a) We will give you a Baggage Identification Tag for each piece of your Checked Baggage when you check-in.
(b)Checked Baggage will be carried on the same aircraft as you unless, for safety, security or operational reasons, we need to carry it on a different flight. If your Checked Baggage is carried on a different flight we will deliver it to you, unless you are required to be present for customs clearance.
19.10 Our liability for Damage to Baggage
(a) We will not be liable for damage sustained in the case of Damage to Hand Baggage unless it was caused by our negligence or the negligence of our agents.
(b) We will be liable for damage sustained in the case of Damage to Checked Baggage during any period within which the Checked Baggage was in our charge, unless it was caused or contributed to by your negligence, wrongful act or omission, or the damage resulted from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the baggage. Therefore, you must ensure your Baggage is appropriately packed and the content protected to withstand the rigors of air travel. In addition, you must not carry and we do not agree to accept as Checked Baggage any of the items listed in Article 19.6. If you do, we may be wholly or partly excused from liability.
(c) Where the Montreal Convention applies our liability for damage sustained in the case of damage to your baggage is limited to the equivalent of 1288 SDRs per Passenger, unless you can prove that the damage was caused by us or our agents in the course of a person’s employment/agency:
(i) intentionally; or
(ii) recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.
(d)All claims must be supported by documented proof of purchase, including date and price. Depreciation will be deducted.
19.11 Increasing our liability for Baggage
If your Checked Baggage has a greater value than the limit of our liability stated in Article 19.10 and you wish to increase the limit of our liability to you, you must:
(a) make a special declaration at the check-in desk at the departure airport; and
(b) pay a supplementary sum to us or the carrier operating your flight. Our charges are:
(i) £17.50 (or local currency equivalent) for a higher declared value up to and including £1,750; or
(ii) £30 (or local currency equivalent) for a higher declared value up to and including £3,000.
If you have paid a supplementary sum under this Article, our liability will be limited to the maximum of such higher declared value. Your declaration alone does not entitle you to recover the sum declared in the event of loss, Damage or Delay. You can only recover proven losses and Damage.
If the value of your Baggage exceeds the amounts set out above, you should make sure your Baggage is fully insured before travel.
19.12 Damage to Baggage we are not liable for
We will not be liable for:
(a) Damage to Baggage resulting from something contained in the Baggage;
(b) Damage resulting from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the Baggage;
(c) fair wear and tear of Baggage resulting from the normal rigours of air travel;
(d) Damage to Baggage that was not in our care or control including, amongst other things, Baggage undergoing security inspection; or
(e) any damage caused by your Baggage. You remain responsible for any damage caused by your Baggage to any other person or their property, or to our property.
We reserve all rights of recourse and subrogation against all third parties.
19.13 Making a claim for physical Damage to Checked Baggage
If your Checked Baggage, or any item in it, is physically damaged, you must tell our baggage services agents at the airport and complete a Property Irregularity Report. If you don’t:
(a) it will be presumed that your Checked Baggage was delivered in good condition, unless you prove otherwise; and
(b) you must submit claim to us in writing within seven (7) Days of receiving your Checked Baggage. If you fail to do so, your right to submit a claim or bring a legal action in respect of such damage will be extinguished.
Further details can be found at https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/claim-for-lost-baggage.html
If you are claiming for physical damage to Baggage, you must keep and, if asked by us, let us examine it so we can assess the Damage.
19.14 Making a claim for loss of Checked Baggage
(a) If your Checked Baggage hasn’t arrived within twenty one (21) days from the date it should have been made available to you, then you can submit a claim to us.
(b) Claims submitted to us must be made in writing. Details can be found at https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/claim-for-lost-baggage.html
19.15 Making a claim for loss of an item in your Checked Baggage
If one of your items is missing from your Checked Baggage you must submit a claim in writing within seven (7) Days from the date you received the Checked Baggage. If you fail to do so, your right to submit a claim or bring a legal action in respect of such loss will be extinguished. Further details can be found at: https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/claim-for-lost-baggage.html
19.16 Making a claim for Delay to Checked Baggage
(a) We are not liable for damage occasioned by Delay to Checked Baggage if we or our agents took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible for us or our agents to take such measures.
(b) Where the Montreal Convention applies our liability for Delay to your Checked Baggage is limited to the equivalent of 1288 SDRs per Passenger, unless you can prove that the damage was caused by us or our agents in the course of a person’s employment/agency:
(i) intentionally; or
(ii) recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.
(c) Where applicable law provides that different limits of liability are applicable to Hand Baggage and/or Checked Baggage, such different limits shall apply.
(d) If your Checked Baggage was Delayed, you must submit a claim to us in writing within twenty one (21) Days from the date it was made available to you. If you fail to do so, your right to submit a claim or bring a legal action in respect of such Delay will be extinguished.
19.17 Processing your Baggage claim
(a) Your claim to us for compensation for Damage to or Delay of Baggage must either at the point of initial presentation of your claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter be accompanied by an itemised list identifying each affected item by description, manufacturer and age, together with proof of purchase or ownership for all such items.
(b) Unless you prove otherwise:
(i) all Baggage will be considered to be your property;
(ii) a particular piece of Checked Baggage or Hand Baggage will not be considered to be the property of more than one passenger; and
(iii) Hand Baggage, including personal items, will be considered to be the property of the passenger in possession of the Hand Baggage at the time of embarkation.
(c) If you wish to claim the cost of replacement of an item which forms part of a claim for compensation for Damage or Delay to Baggage, proof of purchase of all replacement items must accompany your claim.
(d) For all claims for compensation concerning Baggage, you must provide us with any information we ask for to enable us to assess the eligibility of your claim and the amount payable.
(e) If you don’t comply with the above requirements, it may affect the amount of any compensation you can recover.
19.18 Time limit for bringing a legal action concerning Baggage
(a) Where you have submitted a claim to us in writing within any time periods specified in Article 19, you will have no right to damages if any legal action for Damage or Delay concerning Baggage is not brought within two (2) years of:
(i) the date of arrival at your destination;
(ii) the date on which the aircraft should have arrived; or
(iii) the date on which the carriage stopped.
(b) The method of calculating the time-limit for bringing a legal action shall be determined by the law of the court where the case is heard.
19.20 You must collect your Checked Baggage as soon as we have made it available at our arrival destination or Stopover. If it is not collected within a reasonable time, we may charge a storage fee and, if it is not collected within three (3) months from the date we made it available to you, we may dispose of it and have no liability to you.
19.21 Only the person with the relevant Baggage Identification Tag can claim the piece of Checked Baggage. If you claim a piece of Checked Baggage but don’t have the issued Baggage Identification Tag, we will only release it to you if you can prove that the Checked Baggage is yours.