If you’re flying with Virgin Australia, it’s helpful to know when you can check in to make your travel experience easier and less stressful. For most Virgin Australia flights, online check-in opens 48 hours before the scheduled departure time. This applies to both domestic and international flights. Online check-in usually closes 45 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights. Checking in online early lets you select your seat, confirm your flight details, and receive a digital boarding pass that you can save on your phone or print at home. This option is very convenient, especially if you are traveling with carry-on luggage only, since you can skip the check-in counter and head straight to security and the boarding gate.

If you prefer to check in at the airport, Virgin Australia airport counters open around 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. The check-in counters close between 30 to 45 minutes before domestic flight departures and 60 minutes before international flights. It’s always a good idea to arrive at the airport early enough to complete check-in, drop off any checked bags, and go through security. Virgin Australia recommends arriving at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow enough time for all these steps. Airport check-in can be done at staffed counters or through self-service kiosks, which are available at many airports and help speed up the process.

Using Virgin Australia’s self-service kiosks is another efficient way to check in, especially if you want to avoid long lines. These kiosks open at the same time as the check-in counters and allow passengers to print boarding passes and baggage tags quickly. After printing, you just drop your luggage at the bag drop area and proceed to security. The kiosks are easy to use, and the on-screen instructions guide you through each step. This option works well if you arrive early or want a faster check-in experience.

Checking in early with Virgin Australia has several benefits. You can choose better seats, get your boarding pass ahead of time, and avoid the stress of last-minute lines. Early check-in is especially important during busy travel seasons, such as holidays or weekends, when airports tend to be crowded. If you have checked baggage, early check-in also means more time to get your bags processed without rushing.

Virgin Australia sends email or app notifications to remind passengers when the online check-in window opens, which is helpful if you want to check in as soon as possible. It’s also important to complete check-in before the cutoff times, as failing to do so may result in losing your seat or having to check in at the airport counter, which could delay your boarding process.

In summary, you can check in with Virgin Australia online starting 48 hours before your flight and up to 45 minutes before domestic flights or 90 minutes before international flights. Airport counters open about 2 hours prior for domestic flights and 3 hours prior for international flights, closing 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Whether you choose online check-in, kiosk, or counter service, checking in early helps ensure a smooth, quick, and comfortable start to your journey with Virgin Australia.