Virgin Atlantic began life as British Atlantic Airways in 1984. When it was founded, the airline planned to fly between the United Kingdom and the Falklands Islands, but in fact, made its first flight instead to Newark Airport in the US. Its headquarters are located in Crawley, United Kingdom, although it does have three additional bases throughout the UK, situated at London Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic operates flights destined to various European and worldwide destinations, such as those in North America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Among its most popular routes are the Virgin Atlantic flights to Los Angeles, Miami and New York. The airline's fleet is made up of 40 Boeing and Airbus planes. Codeshare arrangements exist between Virgin Atlantic and Air China, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Delta, Flybe, Jet Airways, and Singapore Airlines. The company is not a part of any alliance.
Online check-in
Virgin Atlantic flights online check-in is available for all passengers. This opens 24 hours ahead of a flight's scheduled take off and closes 70 minutes prior to departure. In addition to checking in and printing their boarding passes, passengers can also choose their seats and pay for an increased luggage allowance when checking in online. To check in online for a Virgin flight, passengers need their first name, last name and booking reference or e-ticket number. Passengers can also check in using the self-service machines at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, New York and San Francisco airports.
Hand luggage allowance
Hand luggage allowances for Virgin Atlantic flights depends on the type of ticket a passenger has purchased. Economy and Premium Economy passengers may take 1 piece of cabin baggage with a weight limit of 10 kg and a total size limit of 23 x 36 x 56 cm. Passengers in Upper class can take 2 items of hand luggage subject to the same size limit as Economy and Premium Economy passengers, but with a maximum combine weight of 16 kg. Children travelling on a Virgin Atlantic flight also have an allowance of 1 piece of cabin baggage. For children ages 0 to 2 years, this must weigh less than 6 kg, while for children aged 2 and over, this must weigh less than 10 kg.
Checked baggage policy
Checked baggage allowances on Virgin flights varies depending on ticket type. Economy passengers are entitled to 1 item while Premium Economy passengers are entitled to 2 items of luggage, weighing up to 23 kg each. Upper class passengers are entitled to 3 items weighing up to 32 kg each. Infants may take 1 item of luggage as well as a car seat and a pram. All ticket types have a size limit for checked luggage of 90 x 75 x 43 cm. Oversized or overweight luggage items may be subject to an extra charge for carriage on Virgin Atlantic flights. There is no additional fee for carrying sports equipment which weighs less than 23 kg in addition to the checked baggage allowance on a Virgin flight, although passengers should check the regulations for specific items of sports equipment before flying.