A clear, accessible guide for wheelchair users and anyone travelling with a mobility aid.
Travelling with a Wheelchair on Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia accepts:
- Manual wheelchairs
- Powered wheelchairs
- Mobility scooters
All mobility aids are carried free of charge when needed for personal mobility.
Where possible, you can stay in your own wheelchair until close to boarding. If your wheelchair or mobility aid needs to be checked in, staff will assist with the transfer process.
On Arrival
- On arrival, Virgin Australia can provide a manual or motorised wheelchair where available.
- A manual wheelchair may be returned at the arrivals gate only if it was taken through security screening on departure.
- Otherwise, a manual wheelchair is collected from the arrivals carousel.
- Battery-powered mobility aids are generally collected from the arrivals carousel, or, where applicable at an international port, may be provided at the arrivals door.
- Virgin Australia staff can assist passengers to the baggage carousel, connecting flights or terminals, and, subject to staff availability, to the nearest drop-off point.
On arrival, a battery-powered mobility aid may be returned at the arrivals carousel or, where applicable at an international port, at the arrivals door.
- Complete Virgin Australia’s Specific Service Request form and provide the relevant wheelchair or mobility-aid details.
- Provide the dimensions and weight of your mobility aid, whether it is collapsible, and the battery type.
- Virgin staff cannot dismantle or reassemble mobility aids.
- Electric mobility aids must travel upright and in free-wheel mode.
- If the aid exceeds the applicable size or weight limit, you should contact the Guest Contact Centre at least 72 hours before travel.
Important: All electric mobility aids must travel upright and in free-wheel mode.
Approved Battery Types
Virgin Australia allows mobility aids powered by:
✔ Non-spillable batteries
- Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
- Gel
- Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
✔ Dry-cell batteries
- Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
- Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
- Alkaline / dry-type
✔ Lithium-ion batteries
- Must comply with UN 38.3
- Watt-hour rating must be shown
- Airline may request documentation
- Battery terminals must be protected against short circuit and the chair must be prevented from accidental activation.
- If a lithium-ion battery must be removed from the mobility aid for transport, it must not exceed 300Wh.
- You may carry one spare lithium-ion battery up to 300Wh, or two spare batteries up to 160Wh each.
- Removed and spare lithium batteries must be individually protected against short circuit and damage and carried in the cabin, not in checked baggage.
- Virgin Australia requires pre-approval for lithium battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility aids at least 72 hours before departure. Declare the mobility aid at check-in.
Preparing Your Wheelchair or Mobility Aid
You must prepare battery-powered mobility aids so they can be safely loaded.
Virgin Australia requires:
- Battery terminals must be protected (taped or covered)
- Power must be isolated to prevent accidental activation
- Battery must be firmly secured to the chair
- Controls must be deactivated (key removed or travel mode turned on)
If the Battery Needs to Be Removed
Some mobility aids require the battery to be taken out for air travel.
Lithium-ion batteries
- Max main battery: 300 Wh
- Two spares allowed: 160 Wh each
- Removed lithium batteries must be carried in the cabin
- Terminals must be protected, placed in a protective case
Non-spillable / dry-cell batteries
- Must be in strong, rigid packaging
- Checked into the hold
- One spare non-spillable or two spare dry-cell batteries allowed
What Virgin Australia Will Not Accept
Your wheelchair/mobility aid cannot travel if:
- The battery is damaged, leaking, swollen, cracked or modified
- The battery does not meet safety standards
- The aid exceeds cargo door dimensions (rare, but possible)
Virgin Australia aircraft size and weight limits.
Virgin currently publishes specific maximum mobility-aid dimensions and weights by aircraft type.
| Aircraft | Max height | Max width | Max length | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A320 | 84 cm | 100 cm | 125 cm | 80 kg |
| B737 | 84 cm | 100 cm | 125 cm | 120 kg |
| E190 | 80 cm | 74 cm | 125 cm | 80 kg |
| F70 | 65 cm | 100 cm | 125 cm | 120 kg |
| F100 | 65 cm | 100 cm | 125 cm | 80 kg |
| Saab 340B | 84 cm | 100 cm | 125 cm | 120 kg |
Tips to Make Flying Easier (Traveller Advice)
From lived experience as a frequent wheelchair traveller:
- “Provide Virgin Australia with your wheelchair or mobility-aid details when booking or through the Specific Service Request form.”
- Include: model, weight, dimensions, battery specs, removal instructions
- Bring printed battery documentation
- Photograph your chair before check-in
- Attach handling instructions to the chair
- Arrive early, as battery-powered mobility aids can require additional processing at check-in.
LAST REVIEWED
21 August 2026
Airline requirements can change. Confirm current requirements directly with Virgin Australia before travel.
Useful Resources
