Virgin Nigeria - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can an adult travel with two children under the age of two? If not, why?

What are the requirements for the amount of carry-on baggage that a passenger may carry on board an aircraft?

Can an electronic device be used on board an aircraft?

Are there requirements for occupying seats in an emergency exit row?

Can duty free alcoholic beverages be consumed during the flight?

Should seat belts be fastened throughout the flight, even when the safety belt sign is turned off?

Why is it important to pay attention to safety briefings?

Why should passengers read the Safety Features Card?

For the safety of both the adult and the child, Aviation Regulations require that no person shall be responsible for more than one infant (children under the age of two). As time is of the essence during an evacuation, it is very difficult to safely evacuate an aircraft in a timely manner while holding two or more infants. The aisle and row width as well as the dimensions of the emergency exit openings are the two major factors that inhibit a rapid egress.

Aviation Regulations require each airline to establish the maximum number of articles or combination of articles that can be carried on board an aircraft per passenger per flight. This requirement forms part of an airline's Carry-On Baggage Control Program, which is approved by civil aviation authority. The airline's carry-on baggage control program must be appropriate to their aircraft types and configurations. The purpose of this program is to prevent the boarding of carry-on baggage that exceeds the weight, size, shape and total volume limitations of the approved stowage areas of the aeroplane.
All carry-on baggage must be safely stowed in an approved location on board the aircraft. Therefore, the amount and size of carry-on baggage may vary between airlines, as it is dependent on the amount of available stowage space on each aircraft. Some airlines have developed a sizing device to assist with the acceptance and refusal of carry-on baggage. Carry-on baggage must fit within the dimensions of this sizing device. These devices are generally located near the check-in and gate areas. To prevent boarding delays, it is advisable that passengers enquire about the airline's carry-on baggage limitations prior to arriving at the airport or during check-in.

Some electronic devices are strictly prohibited for use at any time as such devices have the potential to interfere with the aircraft's navigation and communication systems. Other electronic devices may only be operated with the permission of the crew during the cruise portion of the flight.
All electronic devices must be stowed for take-off, landing and during turbulence. Devices with headsets or earphones are not permitted to be used during take-off, landing, and turbulence or while walking on the airport apron. Headsets and earphones decrease one's ability to hear crew member instructions, especially during an emergency, and decrease one's awareness of potential hazards on the airport apron. To determine whether a device is acceptable for use, contact the airline prior to travel or a crew member once on board the aircraft.

Each airline must establish procedures to ensure that seats in an emergency exit row are not occupied by passengers whose presence in those seats could adversely affect the safety of passengers and crew members during an emergency. Passengers seated at exits:

Must be physically capable of using the exit;
Must be capable of understanding the printed and spoken emergency instructions;
Must be able to visually determine if the exit is safe to open;
Must have sufficient mobility, strength and dexterity to reach, operate and stow (or otherwise dispose of) the emergency exit;
Must be able to receive aural information from the crew and to orally communicate that information to other passengers;
Must be of a minimum age (as established by the air operator) to ensure that he/she has the physical, cognitive and sensory capacity to operate an emergency exit;
Must not be responsible for another person as this can hinder the opening of the emergency exit; and
Must not have a condition that might cause them harm by opening the exit.

No. Passengers may not consume alcohol purchased at a duty free shop prior to flight, or from on board duty free services, while on board the aircraft. Only alcoholic beverages provided by the air carrier may be consumed while on board.

In-flight turbulence is one of the leading causes of injuries to passengers. Clear air turbulence can occur without warning and is caused by atmospheric pressure differences, cold or warm fronts, jet streams, mountains or thunderstorms. Turbulence may last just seconds but has contributed to many severe passenger and crew member injuries. To best protect against injuries, it is advisable to always have your safety belt fastened while seated

Airlines are required to provide passenger safety briefings. Aviation Regulations describe the minimum content of the safety briefings. Safety briefings are important because:

The briefing provides important information that is necessary for the safety of all persons on board and supplements the information contained on the Safety Features Card;
The briefing provides important information that may be needed during an emergency;
The briefing provides information about the aircraft and aircraft equipment that may be required in the event of an emergency, such as the location and operation of emergency exits. As an informed passenger, you will increase your chance of survival. Put your newspaper down so that others can see and stop talking so that others can hear.

A Safety Features Card contains safety information about the aircraft on which the passenger is travelling. Passengers should read the safety features card on every aircraft because the type and model of aircraft can differ. Even an aircraft of the same name may have exits in different locations and those exits may operate differently. The doors at the front of an aircraft may operate differently from those at the rear. The main cabin door may operate differently than the other doors.
Even the equipment that is carried on board operates differently and may be in a different location from aircraft to aircraft or airline to airline. For example, a life vest may have a single strap on one aircraft but double straps on another. The hooks or clips to attach the life vest around the waist may also be different.
In addition, these cards show the safest route passengers should follow upon leaving the aircraft in an emergency and which exits may be inoperative in water. These can also vary with each aircraft. Should an emergency occur, passenger reaction time would contribute to a successful action plan or evacuation. It is important to know the information contained on these cards before the emergency presents itself. So, take the time to read the Safety Features Card — it may save your life!