Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air NZ or Virgin Australia?

Air NZ: 118 cm total (46.5 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Virgin Australia: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb).

Do Air NZ and Virgin Australia include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air NZ: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Virgin Australia: Economy Lite includes the 8 kg carry-on and personal item but no checked bag; Choice and Flex include one 23 kg bag.

Where do Air NZ and Virgin Australia fly from?

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Virgin Australia's are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), BNE. The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air NZ and Virgin Australia partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air NZ: Star Alliance; Virgin Australia: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

NZ vs VA · 2026 comparison

Air NZ vs Virgin Australia

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Virgin Australia wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Air NZ

No clear category wins

Virgin Australia

Wins 1 category

A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Virgin Australia wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Air NZ: 118 cm total · Virgin Australia: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air NZ: Included on every fare · Virgin Australia: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Air NZ	Virgin Australia
Bags
Carry-on size	118 cm total	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	45 × 33 × 20 cm
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Airpoints	Velocity
Main hubs	AKL	SYD, MEL, BNE

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Air NZ allows a carry-on up to 118 cm total (46.5 in), and Virgin Australia up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Air NZ, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Virgin Australia.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Air NZ, and 45 × 33 × 20 cm (17.7 × 13 × 7.9 in) on Virgin Australia.

Basic economy

Air NZ (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Virgin Australia (Economy Lite): Economy Lite includes the 8 kg carry-on and personal item but no checked bag; Choice and Flex include one 23 kg bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air NZ is in Star Alliance and Virgin Australia is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Airpoints (Air NZ) and Velocity (Virgin Australia).

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Virgin Australia's are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), BNE. The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air NZ if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from AKL

Choose Virgin Australia if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
nonstops from SYD, MEL, BNE

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.