Qantas Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy

Overview of Qantas Airline

Qantas is the acronym for the airlines’ original name - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. Founded in November 1920, Qantas is the world’s third-oldest airline still in operation. As part of OneWorld Alliance, the airline has nearly 300 aircrafts going to over 200 destinations across all continents.

Qantas Airlines has a rather complicated policy, as there are specific baggage allowances applied to different classes and destinations. Don't worry; we'll simplify and summarise all there is to know about the regulations so you can become an expert yourself by the time you finish reading this article.

Qantas Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy

Qantas Airlines, also known as “The Flying Kangaroo,” is a premium full-service international airline. It is also the largest Australian airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations.

Qantas Airlines offers a wide range of transportation, including domestic flights across Australia and international flights between Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. Therefore, if you are about to get on board with Qantas Airlines, it is advisable to learn about its policies. 

Keep scrolling and take a deep look into Qantas Airlines’s baggage allowance - the dimension limits, weight limit, and excess baggage policy. 

Qantas Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy

1. International flights excluding Delhi (India) & Domestic Australian flights

Carry-on allowance follows the same rules across all classes of international flights and flights within Australia. As a general rule, the total weight of all your handheld items can’t exceed 14 kg (30 lbs). However, each piece of baggage must be 10 kg (22 lbs).

If you only have one suitcase or bag, its dimensions must be 115 cm or 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) at most. Alternatively, you can have two 105 cm pieces, meaning each of the two must measure less than 48 x 34 x 23 cm (19 x 12.5 x 9 in). You can also replace one of them with a garment bag (which should be able to bend) sized 60 x 11 x 114 cm (23.5 x 4.3 x 45 in).

One special case of domestic flights is Dash 8, a type of plane with limited space. You can only bring one 105 cm bag weighing 7 kg max.

2. Flights from Delhi (India)

If you’re departing from Delhi, there are considerably stricter regulations: you can only bring a single piece of baggage with you. Size limits are similar to other international flights at 115 cm or 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) for general bags or 60 x 11 x 114 cm (23.5 x 4.3 x 45 in) for suit bags. 

However, you’ll have to cut down on weight if you’re flying Economy as only 7 kg (15.5 lbs) is permitted. Business class lets you bring the more standard 10 kg (22 lbs).

3. Buying an extra seat for bigger items

In addition to the included carry-on allowance, you have the option to purchase another seat for your oversized or bulky baggage. Just be sure to send a notice of this when you make the purchase. These items can be music or specific instruments, or specialised containers. 

The limit for plus-size bags varies for each class, although there is an inclusive weight restriction of 7 kg.

  • Premium Economy/Economy: Up to 71 x 43 x 44 cm (28 x 17 x 17.5 in)
  • Business: Up to 71 x 50 x 48 cm (28 x 19.5 x 19 in)
  • First: Up to 74 x 51 x 53 cm (29 x 20 x 21 in)

Qantas Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

All Qantas tickets come with a complimentary checked baggage allowance.

Asia, Europe, Africa and others

For international destinations other than The Americas, your allowance will be measured in total baggage weight. Economy flyers are allowed 30 kg (66 lbs) of baggage, while Premium Economy and Business tickets will give you 40 kg (88 lbs). If you opt for First class, you can bring up to 50 kg (110 lbs) of belongings on the flight. 

Having a Qantas membership offers significantly more allowance, at up to 46 kg (101 lbs) for Economy and 66 kg (136 lbs) for First class.

Additionally, there are restrictions on your baggage size. The total of each piece’s width, height, and depth cannot be bigger than 158 cm (62 inches).

North and South America

Although you can bring more weight, your baggage will be counted in pieces, with each piece weighing no more than 32 kg (70 lbs). Economy flights come with one piece of luggage, Premium Economy & Business flights come with two, and First class flights allow three pieces.

With a membership, however, three pieces of baggage are standard in all classes. That is unless you are a Platinum Frequent Flyer, which lets you bring four pieces on your Business or First class flight (totaling nearly 130 kg (282 lbs)).

Size restrictions also apply here: a piece’s three dimensions must add up to 158 cm (62 inches) or less, and two pieces and three pieces must be below 270 cm (106 inches) and 405 cm (159 inches) in total dimensions, respectively.

Australia

An Economy ticket only comes with one 23 kg (50 lbs) piece of baggage. Business flyers can take two pieces (of the standard 32 kg kind). 

A Qantas membership is less valuable for national flights, as the maximum for all flights is two pieces of baggage (capped at 64 kg for both).

One thing to note is when your journey includes both a domestic and an international flight (and you’re transferring between them within the same calendar date), you can qualify for the more generous baggage allowance of the longer flight.

Children & babies

When travelling as a family, equipment such as car seats and strollers for your kids will be included in the ticket as well. Infants are allowed up to three pieces, while older children are allowed two (with each piece weighing no more than 32 kg (70 lbs).

You can only bring up to 10 kg (22 lbs) of baggage for your infant on international flights (for The Americas this must be packed as one piece). Domestic flights don’t include any baggage allowance for infants at all. 

Older kids, however, can have the same amount of baggage as adults across classes and destinations.

Qantas Airlines Excess Baggage Policy

It’s now common advice that you don’t forget to buy more allowance online in advance, or you’ll face way higher prices while checking in at the airport.

Fees for overweight baggage will be applied at check in if your baggage exceeds the sum of your included checked amount and the additional purchased amount.

International destinations other than The Americas

You can purchase a total of 100 kg (220 lbs) of additional baggage per flight. However, you’ll only find options for 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 25 kg or 35 kg on the website as 35 kg is the maximum weight for a single purchase.

International destinations in The Americas

Similar to complimentary checked baggage, extra allowance is bought in pieces (weighing less than 32 kg each). You can buy up to five pieces for a total of 160 kg (352 lbs).

Domestic destinations in Australia

If you’re flying within Australia, you can also get up to five pieces of extra baggage. However, flying in Economy without a Qantas membership (or with a Bronze Frequent Flyer status), each piece of your baggage can’t weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs). Tickets for higher membership status will follow the same rules as North and South American flights.

Overweight baggage fees (applied at airport)

If you forget to or can’t buy extra allowance online, you’ll be charged considerable fees at the airport. Excess baggage costs are listed below.

  • Between AUD 20 and AUD 80 for international flights depending on the total weight and distance. 
  • AUD 300 and AUD 200 per piece for flights to and from The Americas respectively.
  • AUD 100 per piece for domestic flights, and an extra AUD 50 for pieces weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg.

As a general rule, all pieces of baggage are limited to 32 kg each.

FAQs about Qantas Airlines Baggage Allowance

What’s the size limit for Qantas carry-on luggage?

The maximum total of your carry-on dimensions is 115cm, although for some cases it’s 105cm. Read our guide to find out more.

What’s the weight limit of Qantas carry-on luggage?

The total weight of your carry-on cannot exceed 14kg, though each bag cannot weigh more than 10kg. Certain Qantas flights will limit your carry-on to 7kg. Read our guide to find out more.

What’s the size limit for Qantas checked baggage?

Generally, each piece of your baggage should not measure more than 158cm in total dimensions, but the maximum number of pieces varies between classes and distances.

What’s the weight limit for Qantas checked baggage?

Qantas’ checked baggage allowance varies greatly between flight destinations, classes, and membership statuses, ranging from 23kg for a domestic Economy flight to 128 kg for an international First class ticket with a Platinum Frequent Flyer membership.


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