Got a Qantas trip coming up? Those Qantas Airways cabin luggage rules can be a headache, especially if you're not a Qantas frequent.

But let's be real, Qantas is still an incredible airliner for its direct flights between the US and multiple Australian cities - no more dreaded layovers and connections.

Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, this quick guide breaks down exactly what you can bring in your cabin bag and personal item. From Qantas Airways cabin baggage weight, and size limits to prohibited items, now let’s get ready to fly with the flying kangaroo. 

Keep in mind that Qantas and Qatar Airways are separate airlines, each with its own set of rules for baggage allowance, service fees, and flight routes. To avoid confusion or unexpected charges at the airport, always double-check that you're reviewing the correct airline's policy.

About Qantas Airways

A direct Qantas Airways flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Melbourne, Australia. Photo by ClaraNila - stock.adobe.com

Qantas is Australia's flagship airline and is also a founding member of the Oneworld Alliance (which also includes major members like British Airways and American Airlines).

The airliner's domestic networks link Australia to the world with 98 destinations in 25 different countries. When booking a flight between the U.S. and Australia, you can choose from four fare classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class. Within each class, there are also Sale, Saver, and Flex fares with different pricing strategies and flexibility.

Sale fares are the cheapest but with potentially high fees for changes or cancellations.

The most expensive type is Flex fares, which allow passengers to change or cancel their travel dates without incurring any penalty fees. Plus, you'll also earn the highest Status Credits with this class.

In 2025, Qantas was named the world's 14th-best airline by Skytrax World Airline Awards, a remarkable jump from its 24th position in 2024. It was also named the best airline in the Australia-Pacific region, beating key players like Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways. 

Qantas Carry-on Baggage Allowance

Qantas baggage allowance international policy differs from its domestic allowance. This means you should always double-check your ticket before you even start packing. We've got the latest on what Qantas passengers can bring aboard in 2025 right below.

Qantas carry-on size explained.

1. For Flights within Australia

What is the cabin baggage allowance for Qantas? Unless your domestic flight is on a Dash-8, you can enjoy quite a generous carry-on allowance, regardless of your fare class, when flying with Qantas Airways.

Besides these options, you’re also entitled to one personal item such as a handbag, purse, laptop case, etc. Although Qantas doesn’t have specific dimensions and weight in place, a personal item should be small enough to slide underneath the seat in front of you. Otherwise, it would be counted towards your carry-on allowance.  

For Dash 8, your cabin luggage allowance is slightly stricter due to the limited space. Qantas Airways cabin baggage size is 105 cm (41 in) in total dimensions for passengers flying on this aircraft. The cabin baggage weight limit is up to 7kg (15 lbs). You're also limited to one item of hand luggage only. 

Don't let Qantas Dash 8 cabin limits spoil your Australian domestic travel plans. Say goodbye to gate-checking hassles with our CabinZero 28L backpack. Designed to be cabin-approved on most airliners (Qantas included), our CabinZero 28L is a compact and lightweight companion for a hassle-free trip. Shop the CabinZero 28L here!

2. For International Flights (Except India)

Economy

First, Business, and Premium Economy

2. For Flights From India

Sadly, there is no complimentary personal item for this route.

Qantas Checked Bag Allowance

Qantas hold bag rules you need to know. Photo by CasanoWa Stutio - stock.adobe.com

Your checked bag allowance depends on the destination, fare class and status/membership. No matter how many pieces you're entitled to, remember this blanket rule: "No single piece of checked baggage can exceed 32 kg (70lb).”

Qantas Checked Bag Allowance on Domestic Routes

On flights within Australia, economy passengers can check one piece of luggage for free, with a weight of up to 23kg (50lbs). If you upgrade to Premium Economy, you can get a bit more wiggle room with two checked bags, up to 23kg (50lbs). For business class flyers, the allowance is two pieces of checked luggage of up to 32kg (70lbs).

Qantas Checked Bag Allowance on Domestic Routes - Exceptions

Qantas does have some exceptions for smaller aircraft or specific destinations if you're flying domestically. On their DHC Dash 8 turboprops, passengers are only allowed to bring a single checked bag weighing up to 23 kg. For flights to Lord Howe Island, you can bring two checked bags, with their combined weight not exceeding 23kg.

Qantas Checked Bag Allowance on International Routes

How many bags does Qantas allow on international flights? While most international routes use a total weight allowance for baggage, Qantas flights to and from the Americas follow a "piece-based" system. Remember that your travel class matters as well. 

International Flights (Excluding North & South America)

On many Qantas international flights (excluding North and South America), your checked baggage allowance is determined by the total weight. This means that you can check multiple bags into the hold, as long as they stay within the weight limit specified on your ticket.

Note: The higher your Frequent Flyer status, the more generous checked bag allowance you’re entitled to. For economy class, Qantas Club and Silver Frequent Flyers receive 42kg (92 lbs) of checked luggage.

Meanwhile, the allowance for Gold tier members jumps to 46 kg (101 lbs) in the same class. If you're an elite Platinum or Platinum One, you can check in up to 50 kg (110 lbs) when flying Economy.

To North and South America

Unlike other international routes, Qantas' baggage allowance from the USA to Australia applies a piece-based policy. Like Qantas' carry-on policy, it's all about how many pieces you can check into the hold, with their combined weight not exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs).

Sports Equipment & CPAP Devices

Got a musical instrument to fly with Qantas? Yes, feel free to bring it aboard as long as it's in a hard shell, weighs under 7 kg, and measures less than 85x34x23 cm. Otherwise, you can check heavier or bulkier items into the hold, or for extra peace of mind, pay for an extra seat next to you. If you plan to use your CPAP device (and need aircraft medical power to operate it), remember to fill out Qantas CPAP travel clearance form and get clearance from the airline beforehand. 

Qantas Baggage Allowance for Infants and Babies

Infants can bring up to three infant items when flying with Qantas Airways. Photo by Yaroslav Astakhov on Adobe Stock

For international Qantas flights, your little one (up to 2 years old) gets one piece of checked baggage of up to 10kg. You can also bring three more personal items that fit the seat in front free of charge for him/her. However, if you're only flying domestically, Qantas doesn't offer a free checked baggage allowance for infants. Plus, all fights allow parents with small kids to bring a stroller for free.

Qantas' Excess Luggage Fees

Qantas baggage allowance is quite generous, but sometimes you may want to bring a bit more. To avoid heavy charges at the airport, you can pre-purchase extra baggage up to three hours before your flight.

Passengers can buy five extra bags when flying within Australia (each bag will have the same weight restrictions as their existing allowance). On North or South America flights, passengers can pay for five extra bags (up to 32 kg (70 lbs)). 100 kg of extra weight can be pre-purchased if you're flying everywhere else internationally, in increments of 5 kg, 10kg, 15kg, 25kg, etc.

Overpackers should be aware that exceeding baggage limits incurs a fee. If you bring more luggage than allowed or if any bag is heavier, you'll have to pay an extra fee. This charge is calculated either by weight or per piece, depending on your destination. 

For flights within Australia, passengers will have to pay A$130 for an extra bag in addition to their allowance. A heavy charge of A$50 will be applied to any single piece of baggage weighing in excess of 23 kg. The excess baggage charge is US$200 for journeys departing from North or South America, and A$300 for those to North or South America. On all other international routes, Qantas apply a weight-based fee, with costs between A$20-A$80 for each kg. 

Qantas Booking and Check-in Process

If this is your first time flying with Qantas, we’ve put together a simple guide for booking and check-in so you can take off with more confidence.

Booking With Qantas Airlines

Online Booking

Book a flight with Qantas Airways. Photo by InfiniteFlow - stock.adobe.com

Step 1:  Go to the Qantas Website: qantas.com. 

Step 2: Choose your trip type: whether it's a return, one-way, or multi-city trip etc.

Step 3: Enter your flight details: Departure, arrival, travel dates, and number of passengers. Choose "Use Qantas Points" if you plan to redeem them.

Step 4: Search and choose your flights

Flight search results with varying prices for a trip from Dallas-Fort Worth to Melbourne. Screenshot taken from Qantas Airways website.

Step 5: Enter passenger and contact information.

Step 6: Review your booking details and confirm. 

Step 7: Proceed to the payment step. 

Step 8: Get your booking confirmation via email and be ready to take off.

Third-Party Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

While the Qantas official website is the most direct route, you can sometimes score good deals by booking with popular sites like Expedia, Skyscanner, or Traveloka. However, this can be a miss or a hit. You'll need to reach out to them (not the airline) for any booking changes or cancellations.

Qantas Contact Centre

For direct assistance, you can reach out to the Qantas call centre via local phone numbers. This is a great option if you have specific questions, or special needs, or are having trouble booking on their website. Make sure to have all your travel details ready, so your conversation can proceed smoothly. Fair warning, though, a booking fee is typically applied for phone reservations.

Checking In With Qantas Airlines

Online Checking

Here’s how you can complete the check-in process on the Qantas website:

Step 1: Visit qantas.com.

Step 2: Enter your booking reference and last name. If you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you can also easily check in through "Manage booking" or "your bookings."

Step 3: Follow the straightforward prompts to complete all the required check-in steps.

Step 4: Use your generated boarding pass for flight boarding.

Checking on the Qantas App

Or you can check in easily with the user-friendly Qantas App on your phone. Open the Qantas App. You can get a digital boarding pass after a few simple tabs. Beyond check-in, the Qantas App offers real-time flight information. Passengers receive real-time info about departure times, baggage carousel, and gate information. Viewing and changing your seat is just a few tabs away on your smartphone.

Airport Check-in

You can use the self-serve kiosks to check in and get your boarding pass without waiting in long lines. If you have bags, print the tags at these kiosks too before heading to the bag drop. If there's no kiosk, visit the Qantas check-in counter and get assistance from Qantas' friendly staff.  Just remember to bring your e-ticket, booking reference, passport, and other papers you need for your flight.

FAQs

Not sure if your bag will make it past the Qantas cabin check? We further break down Qantas Airways cabin luggage rules by answering the most common questions from Qantas flyers.

1. Does 7KG carry-on include a handbag?

If you’re flying on Qantas Dash 8 aircraft, you’ll receive one bag of up to 7kg as your carry-on luggage. In addition, you can still bring an extra personal item, such as a slim laptop case or a handbag (just like on other Qantas aircraft).

2. How strict are Qantas with carry-on size?

You might slip through a slightly oversized or overweight bag when boarding. However, don't gamble on it. Gate agents, especially on full flights, often weigh and measure bags at the boarding gate. If your luck runs out, you could face heavy charges. Our best advice? Always stick to the airline limits and be mindful of the total luggage weight as you pack. If you're pushing the limit, sneak heavy items into your jacket pockets; the airliner generally doesn't weigh what you're wearing!

3. What happens if my carry-on is too heavy on Qantas?

If your carry-on looks obviously heavy, especially on QantasLink flights or other smaller aircraft, you might be required to check the bag. This is common due to the smaller overhead locker space and aircraft weight limitations. If checking the bag puts you over your checked baggage allowance, you may pay excess baggage charges. These fees are generally higher than pre-purchasing additional baggage online. For example, an extra bag costs $50 online, but it will be twice that price at the airport.

4. Does a backpack count as a personal item on Qantas?

A small backpack can totally work as your personal item, as long as it's small enough to fit under the seat in front of you (though you'll sacrifice a bit of legroom). If your backpack is too big, the airline crew will consider it a proper carry-on, and they’ll count it towards your overall cabin bag limit.

5. Do Qantas frequent flyers enjoy a greater baggage allowance?

Cabin baggage allowance for Qantas and QantasLink flights depends on your booking class (Business or Economy) and whether you're on a Dash-8, another domestic, or an international flight. This means that Qantas Club members won't receive any extra cabin baggage for their status. 

However, they're eligible for extra checked baggage. As we mentioned, the higher your Qantas Frequent Flyer status, the more generous checked bag allowance you're entitled to.

6. Can I bring two carry-on bags on Qantas?

Yes. Qantas policy allows their passengers to bring either one standard bag or two smaller items. For the two-bag option, there's a weight limit of 14kg (combined) and 10kg (for each piece). In addition, neither bag should exceed 48cm x 34cm x 23cm in size.

Know Before You Pack

Remember, Qantas Airways cabin luggage allowance isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. First, ask yourself these questions: Are you flying domestically or internationally? And what class are you flying – Economy or Business? Generally, Qantas have different rules in place for the weight and size of cabin baggage depending on your answers. We all know that last-minute repacking at the airport is a real headache, not to mention the heavy charges. So, the golden rule? Always double-check your allowance and jet off with more confidence for a stress-free journey. 

KELSEY