November 2017 Virgin America Carry On Bag Policy And Weights

The Great Carry-On Caper of November 2017

Let’s rewind to November 2017—a time when fidget spinners were cool and Virgin America was still the rebellious teenager of the skies. You know, the airline that felt more like a nightclub with wings? Well, their carry-on policy was a thing of bizarre beauty, and it’s worth a funny rehash.

First, the size rules were mercifully sane: 24 x 17 x 14 inches. That’s almost comically huge compared to the “dollhouse suitcase” limits of today. You could basically bring a carry-on shaped like a small refrigerator—and people did.

But here’s where it gets crazy: Virgin America didn’t weigh your carry-on. At all. Zero. Zilch. You could stuff it with anvils, dumbbells, or a pet rock collection, and they’d just smile. Meanwhile, their checked bags had a 50-pound limit, so the logic was basically, “Pack your dumbbells in the cabin, right next to your face.”

Why did they do this? Officially, it was all about “customer experience.” Translation: they didn’t want to slow down boarding by making everyone step on a scale. Unofficially, I think they just loved chaos. It was the Wild West of overhead bins, where survival of the fittest meant “hide your 40-pound duffel before the flight attendant sees it.”

Now, a surprising fact for you: Virgin America’s planes (Airbus A319s and A320s) had overhead bins designed to fit bags on their sides, like books on a shelf. This meant your bag’s depth mattered more than its height. So if you had a giant, floppy duffel that was skinny but long? You were golden. If you brought a cube-shaped suitcase? You’re that guy who tries to fit a square peg in a round hole—and everyone glares at you.

Another gem: the personal item rule was wide open. A purse, a backpack, a small dog in a hat—anything “small enough to fit under the seat.” No weight limit there either. I once saw a woman board with a purse the size of a carry-on, and the gate agent just nodded. It was pure anarchy.

AA carry on baggage / luggage rules & enforcement (master thd

Of course, this policy had a dark side. By November 2017, passengers had learned to abuse it. I witnessed a guy haul a camera bag that weighed more than his toddler. He grunted while shoving it overhead, and the plane tilted slightly to the left. The flight attendants just watched, sipping their free booze (yes, Virgin America gave free drinks).

Alas, all good things end. In December 2017, Virgin America officially merged with Alaska Airlines, and the hangover set in. Alaska—bless their sensible hearts—immediately added weight limits and stricter sizing. The party was over. Now, if you try to bring a 50-pound duffel, they’ll charge you for a checked bag and give you the side-eye.

So what’s the moral of this story? In November 2017, Virgin America let you believe you were the king of carry-on luggage. You could pack bricks, books, and a bag of potatoes, and no one would stop you. It was a glorious, irresponsible moment in aviation history. Cherish it. And next time you’re wrestling your 18-pound roller bag onto a budget airline, just whisper: “Never forget 2017.”