Virgin Australia Plans to Halve Check-in Time with Major Digital Upgrade

• Virgin Australia has today announced plans for major upgrades to its mobile app and airport check-in experience, reducing check-in time by up to 50 per cent^.
  
  
• Upgrades include, for the first time, the option for eligible Velocity Frequent Flyer members to change flight times in the airline’s mobile app* and a new one-step bag drop process with automatic bag recognition.
  
  
• The upgrades follow new data from the airline revealing that nearly 80 per cent of guests are using the Virgin Australia app or website to check in and manage their booking^^.
  
  

Virgin Australia has unveiled plans for major upgrades to its airport check-in and mobile app experience, cutting check-in time by up to 50 per cent^ across 10 domestic airports and streamlining travel for millions of guests.

The project, which has been years in the making, will see the launch of new Virgin Australia mobile app features, previously only available to guests via the airline’s call centre or at the airport, including:

• Fly Ahead and Fly Later*: In an Australian airline first, Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus members will be able to request to change to an earlier* same-day domestic flight via the Virgin Australia app, when travelling on an eligible fare. Platinum Plus members can also request to change to a later same day domestic flight via the app. More information on Fly Ahead and Fly Later is available here.
• Fly Earlier (complimentary)**: Eligible Virgin Australia guests may be able to move onto earlier flights on the day of travel where space permits, free of charge, during busy periods or where inclement weather may disrupt services. These guests, who would not normally be eligible for flight changes based on their fare type, will receive a notification via the Virgin Australia app if Fly Earlier is available. More information on Fly Earlier (complimentary) is available here.
  
  
• Seating upgrades: Virgin Australia guests can also bid for Business Class~ and the airline’s premium extra legroom seating, Economy X ^# on the airline’s app, offering more opportunities to easily and conveniently upgrade their seating experience. More information on upgrade bidding here.

The implementation of the new digital features come as demand for faster, digital-first travel continues to grow, with nearly 8 in 10 Virgin Australia guests using the airline’s mobile app or online functionality to manage their bookings^^.

The new Virgin Australia domestic airport check-in experience

From May 2026, Virgin Australia will begin to transition its check-in kiosks to new bag tag printers, encouraging travellers to check in for their flights via the Virgin Australia app or online before arriving to the airport.

In an Australian airline-first, the new bag tag printers will be paired with a one-step automated bag drop, powered by advanced camera and barcode recognition technology. Guests will simply need to scan their boarding pass to print a bag tag, then proceed to drop off their bag without needing to rescan their boarding pass.

The major upgrade is set to slash the current average check-in time by up to 50 per cent, ^{^} allowing travellers to move more easily and seamlessly through airports, while creating a more streamlined experience during peak periods, significantly reducing queues and congestion.

Virgin Australia will also introduce a dedicated Priority Bag Drop area for Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus members and Business Class guests at participating domestic airports, providing an even faster check-in experience.

The new bag drop upgrades will roll out progressively across select major domestic airports (refer to Notes to Editor) with most airports upgraded before the end of the year.

The airline’s helpful customer service team members will continue to be available at all airports to assist travellers with check-in and bag drop, including those who require additional support or accessibility assistance.

Commentary

Virgin Australia General Manager, Digital, Alex Plummer said the new digital upgrades reflect the airline’s strong track record of Australian-first initiatives.

“We’re incredibly focused on investing in the customer experience and that starts with digital ease - something our customers expect today,” said Mr Plummer.

“The Virgin Australia app has always been focused on delivering an excellent day of travel experience. Today’s update is a major step forward in our mission to be Australia’s most-loved airline; allowing customers to check-in, manage their booking and move through the airport in a way that’s never been done before by an Australian airline.

“Nearly 80 per cent of our guests use the Virgin Australia mobile app and website to check in for flights and manage their booking, so we’re doubling down on improving our digital experience to slash the time it takes to check-in and bag drop by up to 50 per cent.

“Just like our landmark collaboration with OpenAI, we want to be where our customers are, and in 2026 that’s in the palm of your hand.

“In the year 2000, we were the first airline to launch online check-in, and this is just another chapter in a long history of innovating to make the customer check-in experience like no other,” he said.

The new digital functionality builds on Virgin Australia’s track record of customer-led innovation. In recent years, the airline became the first in Australia to introduce Pets in Cabin flights on eligible domestic routes, baggage tracking and rewards for sitting in the middle seat. Today’s announcement follows the airline’s recent launch of an Australian-first all-in-one flight search tool, bringing cash fares, Points + Pay and Reward Seat options together in a single calendar view.

To download the Virgin Australia app, visit here.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Airports scheduled to be upgraded, include:

• Adelaide
• Brisbane
• Darwin
• Gold Coast
• Launceston
• Mackay
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Sunshine Coast
• Sydney

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

^Based on analysis of historical transaction time data compared with future state performance observed during a one-week live trial at Mackay Airport where the upgrades were deployed. The trial incorporated transaction timing analysis, user testing and behavioural observations across a sample of travellers, indicating check-in times of up to 50% faster.

^^ Based on internal digital usage data from August 2025 to January 2026.

*Fly Ahead & Fly Later

Platinum Plus and Platinum members may Fly Ahead when flying on Business, Economy Flex or Economy Choice, and Business or Economy Reward Seat fares on domestic Virgin Australia flights. Gold members may Fly Ahead when flying on Business or Economy Flex fares, and Business and Economy Reward fares on domestic Virgin Australia flights. Subject to seat availability. Requests must be made at least 40 mins before scheduled departure of the earlier flight at the airport, or 60 minutes before scheduled departure of the earlier flight via the Virgin Australia app, Guest Contact Centre or Priority Phone Service team. Additional terms and conditions available here. Fly Later is available to Platinum Plus members and up to 3 accompanying guests (in the same booking) to request when flying on eligible domestic Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights (excluding Economy Lite, Group and Staff/Team travel bookings). The requested later flight must be on the same day and route as the original ticketed domestic Virgin Australia marketed and operated flight purchased. Subject to seat availability and operational requirements. Platinum Plus members may only request Fly Later on the day of travel, via the Virgin Australia app, Priority Phone Service team or at the airport. If requesting at the airport, Platinum Plus members must make the Fly Later request at least 40 minutes before scheduled departure of the original flight while the flight is still open for check-in. If requesting via the Virgin Australia app or Priority Phone Service team, Platinum Plus members must request Fly Later at least 60 minutes before scheduled departure of the original flight. Platinum Plus members may not request Fly Later if they have already checked in their baggage. If the Fly Later request is granted, and the Platinum Plus member and their accompanying guests (if applicable) are moved to a later Virgin Australia flight in a lower fare class than what was originally purchased, no refund will be provided (unless they are entitled to a refund under Australian Consumer Law). See Membership Terms and Conditions for more information on Fly Later.

Fly Earlier (Complimentary):

**Fly earlier (Complimentary) is available to eligible guests with a confirmed booking on Virgin Australia marketed and operated domestic flights. When offered, eligible guests may choose to move to an earlier flight on the same day to the same destination, free of charge. Offer is subject to operational requirements, availability and Virgin Australia’s discretion, and may not be available on all flights or to all guests, even where seats are available. Not available on Virgin Australia short-haul international flights or Virgin Australia flights to Doha (operated by Qatar Airways for Virgin Australia). Fly Earlier (Complimentary) is a voluntary offer and can be declined by the eligible guest. If a booking includes multiple guests, the change will apply to all eligible guests on the booking. Fly Earlier (Complimentary) will be offered via the Virgin Australia App and guests must download the Virgin Australia App to receive and accept offers. Guests may be offered direct or connecting flight options, subject to availability. If an eligible guest accepts a Fly earlier (Complimentary) offer and moves to an earlier flight in a lower cabin class or different seat type than originally purchased, no refund will be provided (unless they are entitled to a refund under the Australian Consumer Law). Velocity Points and Status Credits will be earned in accordance with the original booking. Once the offer is accepted, any further changes to the booking are subject to applicable Fare Rules. Fly Earlier (Complimentary) Terms and Conditions apply.

UpgradeMe Premium Bid

~Guests can place a bid to upgrade from Economy fares (excl. Economy Lite) on eligible domestic and international short haul Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights. Bids are for a one-way sector. Subject to seat availability. Offers can be made up to 4 hours prior to scheduled departure via the Virgin Australia app or online. Additional terms and conditions available here.

Economy X Bidding

^#Guests can place a bid to upgrade from eligible Economy fares on eligible domestic and international short haul Virgin Australia marketed and operated flights. Bids are for a one-way sector. Subject to seat availability. Offers can be made up to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure via the Virgin Australia app or online. Additional terms and conditions available here.