Last updated: July 6, 2026
Virgin Australia is making family travel a little more memorable by offering free personalised Toy Tickets for children’s teddy bears, plush toys and other favourite travel companions. The keepsake boarding pass-style tickets are available at selected airports as part of the airline’s family-focused partnership with Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5.
The complimentary Toy Tickets have been available since 15 June 2026 at participating Virgin Australia airports, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while supplies last. Families can request one from Guest Services before boarding, allowing a child’s favourite toy to receive its own personalised keepsake before the flight.
Although the Toy Ticket is not a valid boarding pass, it is designed as a souvenir that children can keep after their journey, adding a fun and reassuring moment to the airport experience.
A Family-Friendly Idea Inspired by a Real Story
The initiative traces back to a widely shared incident in 2023 when a young passenger accidentally left a teddy bear on a Virgin Australia flight. Airline staff recovered the toy and documented its journey home by photographing it around the aircraft, including in the cockpit, by the cabin windows and wearing a miniature Virgin Australia uniform.
The story attracted international attention and highlighted how important comfort toys can be for young children, especially during unfamiliar experiences such as flying. According to Virgin Australia, the positive response inspired the airline to create a way for more families to enjoy a similar memory during their own trips.
Libby Minogue, Virgin Australia’s Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, said the experience reminded the airline that treasured toys often provide children with comfort and confidence while travelling.
How Families Can Get a Toy Ticket
Virgin Australia says more than 1.2 million children fly with the airline each year. Many of them bring a favourite teddy, doll or stuffed animal on board, making the Toy Ticket a simple addition that acknowledges an important part of many family journeys.
Parents or carers can request a Toy Ticket at participating airport check-in or Guest Services counters before boarding. Staff personalise the keepsake with the toy’s details, giving children a fun check-in experience before heading to the gate.
While the ticket has no travel function, it can help younger passengers feel more involved in the journey and provide parents with a memorable keepsake from the trip.
Families planning future holidays may also find information about Virgin Australia’s expanded Pets in Cabin service useful when preparing for travel with companions of every kind.
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Toy Story 5 Collaboration Brings the Theme to Life
The Toy Tickets form part of Virgin Australia’s promotional partnership with Disney and Pixar ahead of the release of Toy Story 5. The keepsakes feature artwork inspired by the upcoming film and include familiar characters such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie.
The campaign extends beyond the boarding pass souvenir, with selected aircraft carrying Toy Story 5-themed liveries and family-friendly activities being introduced across parts of the travel experience.
The collaboration reflects the central theme of the Toy Story franchise—the special connection between children and their favourite toys—making the promotion a natural fit for family travel.
Why Small Experiences Can Improve Family Travel
For parents travelling with young children, even minor touches can make airports feel less stressful. Long queues, security checks and unfamiliar surroundings can be overwhelming for younger passengers, while small interactive experiences often help keep children engaged before boarding.
Unlike loyalty programs or premium travel benefits aimed at adults, Toy Tickets focus on creating a memorable experience for families without adding cost or changing the booking process.
Virgin Australia says the keepsakes are available only while stocks last at participating locations, so availability may vary between airports and travel dates.
By turning a heartwarming real-life story into a nationwide family initiative, the airline has created a simple travel souvenir that celebrates the role favourite toys play in helping children feel comfortable during their journey.
Additional information about participating airports and the campaign is available on the official Virgin Australia Toy Story 5 page.
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