Virgin Australia is rolling out tech upgrades that it promises will halve check-in times and streamline the entire airport process.

Under the Australia-first upgrade, the airline’s check-in kiosks will be upgraded to new bag tag printers, while passengers will be encouraged to check-in for flights via Virgin’s app or online before they get to the airport.

Virgin said on Thursday its new printers would be paired with a “one-step automated bag drop” that will use advanced camera and barcode recognition technology. It will mean travellers can scan their boarding passes to print a bag tag and then drop their bag without needing to rescan the pass.

The changes are coming to 10 domestic airports across the country.

Virgin Australia general manager, digital, Alex Plummer said nearly 80 per cent of the airline’s passengers checked in for flights or managed bookings through the app or website.

“We’re doubling down on improving our digital experience to slash the time it takes to check-in and bag drop by up to 50 per cent,” he said.

“Just like our landmark collaboration with OpenAI, we want to be where our customers are, and in 2026 that’s in the palm of your hand.

“In the year 2000, we were the first airline to launch online check-in, and this is just another chapter in a long history of innovating to make the customer check-in experience like no other.”

The airline says its upgrades will make for an easier transit through airports. Photos: Virgin Australia

The airline says the digital upgrade will mean an easier trip through airports, including at peak periods, and will significantly reduce queues and congestion.

The project, which has been years in the making, will also bring to Virgin Australia’s app features that were previously only available through its call centre or at airports.

They include Fly Ahead and Fly Later – a feature Virgin said meant its Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus members could request a change to an earlier same-day domestic flight, as long as they are travelling on an eligible fare. Some frequent flyers will also be able to use the app to request a later flight on the same day.

The airline will extend the ability for “eligible” passengers to request an earlier flight for free, including at busy times or when bad weather means the threat of cancellations or delays.

“These guests, who would not normally be eligible for flight changes based on their fare type, will receive a notification via the Virgin Australia app if Fly Earlier is available,” it said.

The upgraded app will also allow passengers to bid for upgraded seats, including in business class and extra legroom.

“We’re incredibly focused on investing in the customer experience and that starts with digital ease – something our customers expect today,” Plummer said.

“The Virgin Australia app has always been focused on delivering an excellent day of travel experience. Today’s update is a major step forward in our mission to be Australia’s most-loved airline; allowing customers to check-in, manage their booking and move through the airport in a way that’s never been done before by an Australian airline.”

Virgin will roll out its upgrades progressively at Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast and Sydney airports.