Baggage Policy Virgin vs. Air France

The Economy Light fare does not allow pre-purchase of a checked bag. It only allows checking a bag as an "additional bag" at the gate. The price for this is 45 GBP/60 USD.

From the Checked Baggage page on the Virgin Atlantic website:

Economy baggage allowance

Economy Classic and Delight tickets include one checked in bag*. This
can be up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16ins) in size and up to
23kg (50lb) in weight.

Economy light tickets don't come with a free checked in bag, but you
can buy additional baggage when you check in if you need it

The additional baggage page has the fee schedule and indicates that the fee for the 1st checked bag on an Economy Light fare is 45 GBP/60 USD.

Hopefully the fare you bought saved more than $60 over the next better economy level.

I think if I were on the AF site and saw that the flights were on Virgin and Delta planes, I would have bought the trip from one either Virgin or Delta. Reduce the 'not my problem' responses

At least you know what will happen, and not get a surprise at the airport

Sorry, but you are out of luck. Most of the legacy carriers added their version of “light” to compete with the Ryan’s and Spirits of the world. These “low” fares have rigid rules across the board. I am usually loyal to Delta and have Platinum status and, last year, my company booked a trip for me in Delta’s Basic Economy. I later tried to pick a seat and upgrade on my own and Delta had none of that.

OP- I’m just repeating what others have said. First airline flight segment controls the baggage rules- for that direction. For you that is Virgin going over and AF for the return. One round trip ticket, potentially 2 sets of rules. And for your class of ticket with Virgin that means checking the bag at the gate and paying per their fee schedule, you cannot add it until you get to the airport.

Thank you all for your responses. I'll plan on paying at the airport unless I have the option upon checking in.