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Love travelling around the world, but find the whole check-in process like a form of slow torture? Great news – Virgin Australia has rolled out some major changes to its digital and airport experience, and it’s promising to cut check-in times by up to 50 per cent across ten major Australian domestic airports. Translation: less queueing, more time at the gate bar.
Years in the making, the project sees Virgin Australia's app upgraded with new features previously only available to guests via the airline’s call centre or at the airport. Here are the major ones you should know about.
Fly ahead and fly later
If you’re a Velocity Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus member, you can now request an earlier same-day flight straight from the app (on eligible fares). Platinum Plus members also get the option to shift to a later flight.
Fly earlier (complimentary)
If there's room on the plane, Virgin will now offer eligible passengers a free move to an earlier flight on the day of travel. You don’t even have to ask – the app will ping you if you’re in luck. Perfect for when meetings finish early, plans change or you just can’t be bothered waiting around the terminal.
Seating upgrades
Want to stretch out and go a bit fancy without committing upfront? Virgin's app now lets guests bid for Business Class or Economy X extra legroom seats. A tad competitive, but very worth it if you score a bit more knee space.
Bag drop
In addition to these app upgrades, from May 2026, new bag tag printers and one-step automated bag drop systems will start rolling out across major domestic airports, aiming to halve average check-in times. Don't worry, staff will still be on hand at every airport to help. It's time to pack your bags!