Powder on Virgin flight 'not toxic'

Passengers on a Virgin Blue flight had to be moved to a holding area after a white powder was found onboard the plane.

Federal police were notified after aircraft staff noticed white powder in a toilet of the plane which flew from Melbourne to Sydney on Thursday night, a Virgin Blue spokeswoman said.

145 passengers who were on board the flight were moved to a holding area after the powder was found at about 6pm (AEST).

They were allowed to leave the aircraft after the plane was examined.

"The police did not deem the powder to be toxic," Virgin Blue spokeswoman Amanda Bolger told AAP.

Investigations are continuing.

- AAP