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 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.
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 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.
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,” Plummer said.
“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.
New features
The new Virgin Australia mobile app features, previously only available to guests via the airline’s call centre or at the airport, include:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 eight in 10 Virgin Australia guests using the airline’s mobile app or online functionality to manage their bookings.
