- Virgin Australia has re-launched a check-in and baggage drop service for Sydney cruise passengers, allowing tens of thousands of guests to check-in baggage for their flight before arriving at the airport.
- The seasonal service will be available to Virgin Australia guests arriving at Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal until the end of the 2026 cruise season (April/May 2026).
- With more than 1.2 million cruise passengers expected to pass through Sydney in the 2025/2026 cruise season – the relaunched baggage drop service offers a seamless transfer for guests moving from sea to air.
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Tuesday 6 January 2025: Virgin Australia has reinstated its seasonal flight check-in and baggage drop service at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT), allowing cruise travellers to check-in for flights and drop off checked baggage immediately after disembarking a cruise.
The award winning^ service, initially launched in 2018 in partnership with OACIS and paused amid the pandemic, is designed to create a seamless experience for cruise passengers travelling on a Virgin Australia flight upon arrival in Sydney. By allowing guests to check in for their flights and drop off their checked baggage direct from the cruise terminal, the service enables a smoother, luggage-free journey for guests exploring Sydney, while helping to reduce airport congestion during the peak summer travel period.
Once the luggage is checked in at the OPT, it is transported by Virgin Australia to Sydney Airport, where it is loaded onto the guest’s Virgin Australia flight ahead of departure.
Commentary
Virgin Australia General Manager Product and Customer Strategy, Ali Dunn said: “By bringing Virgin Australia check-in to the cruise terminal, we’re able to deliver a smoother experience for cruise passengers while also helping ease congestion at Sydney Airport during our busiest travel period of the year,” she said.
OACIS Chief Executive Officer, Matt Lee, said “OACIS is delighted to once again be partnered with Virgin Australia to offer our award-winning checked luggage service. Offering guests a full check-in and baggage drop experience allows guests time to explore our beautiful city before flying home,” he said.
For more information on the service, visit: oacis.io.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.
FOOTNOTES
*Destination NSW, New support for cruise tourism, July 2025, New support for cruise tourism | Destination NSW