Last Updated on December 31, 2023 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict is Qantas with carry on?
It’s a question we hear all the time in our Australian travel community, and it’s a little bit more complicated than most airlines so here’s the latest.
Qantas are relatively strict when it comes to carry on luggage. It must be small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead locker. Penalties may apply to those who do not adhere to their rules.
And if you’re looking for a carry on which is fully compliant on the vast majority of their routes (excluding domestic Dash 8 services) – we recommend this Maximum Allowance Backpack on Amazon.
For Australian domestic flights (except Dash 8 services), your main carry on allowance is as follows for all ticket types:
1 x 115cm bag
= 56 + 36 + 23 cm
Up to 10kg.
OR
2 x 105cm bags
= 48 + 34 + 23 cm
One piece up to 10kgs; 14 kgs total.
OR
1 x 105xm bag
= 48 + 34 + 23 cm
+
1 x 185 cm non-rigid garment bag
= 60 + 11 + 114 cm
One piece up to 10kg; 14 kg total
1 x 105 cm bag
= 48 + 34 + 23 cm
Up to 7kgs.
For all international flights for passengers with First, Business or Premium Economy ticket types, your carry on allowance is as follows:
1 x 115cm bag
= 56 + 36 + 23 cm
Up to 10kgs.
OR
2 x 105cm bags
= 48 + 34 + 23 cm
One piece up to 10kgs; 14kgs total.
OR
1 x 105cm bag
= 48cm + 34cm + 23cm
+
1 x 185cm non-rigid garment bag
= 60cm + 11cm + 114cm
One piece up to 10kgs; 14kgs total.
1 x 115cm bag
= 56 + 36 + 23 cm
Up to 7kg.
OR
1 x 185 cm non-rigid garment bag
= 60 + 11 + 114 cm
All of the above dimensions include any wheels and or handles.
In addition to your main carry-on, you can also take a smaller personal item on board.
The dimensions of which have not been disclosed on their website, however examples include small handbag, briefcase or laptop.
If you intend on travelling with liquids or gels in your carry on with Qantas, they must not exceed 100ml.
Here are some examples of other items that you can bring on board without counting toward your carry-on limit:
For more details on exclusions and restrictions please visit the Qantas website here.
As stated above, the weight of your carry on depends on your route so please double check what your limit is.
With that said, it is rare for airlines to investigate the weight of your carry on, as long as you’re all checked in online.
Failing to check in online means you’re at greater risk of being asked questions at the Qantas check in gate!
It’s rare for airlines to investigate the weight of your carry on, but you should try and stick within the limits if possible.
If your bag is only slightly over however, we wouldn’t worry too much about that.
Besides, you could always take some of your heavier clothing out and wear it temporarily to bring the weight down in the unlikely event you are checked and over.
There’s a good chance Qantas will be looking out for oversized bags at the gate, put it that way.
And there’s an even bigger chance of that happening if your flight happens to be busy.
The dimensions are there for good reason (safety and comfort), and so we recommend making sure you take precautions with a compliant bag.
With that said, there is one way to mitigate the risk of being caught up with a slightly oversized bag.
The only time we would say it’s potentially worth the risk is if your bag is soft-sided and only slightly oversized.
After all, as long as you can squeeze it into the caged sizer at the gate you should be ok.
If you’ve got a hard suitcase however and that’s oversized, there’s no way you’ll be able to demonstrate that it fits into the sizer.
This will result in a fee for having to put your luggage in to the hold, and it’s likely to be significant last-minute.
Plus, you’ll lose the ability to escape the airport quickly, and we all like to keep an eye on our luggage if possible!
If your bag is deemed to be oversize, your bag will be put in the hold and you’ll be charged a fee depending on your route.
For more information regarding Qantas’ baggage fees please visit this page on their website.
If you’re looking for a quality carry on that fits perfectly within Qantas’ limits, no matter what type of route you’re on – we recommend this great value backpack on Amazon.
Strict enough to make sure you have a compliant bag, that’s for sure.
With that said, if you do happen to have a soft-sided bag which is only slightly oversized – there’s a good chance you’ll get away with that.
And if your bag happens to be slightly overweight, just remember you must be prepared to have a repack and wear some of your heavier clothing to bring the weight down!
If after reading this, you think it might be wise to pay for checked baggage then please check out this page on Qantas’ website.
Simply type in your booking reference, enter your last name and you’ll be able to see the allowance per person, costs associated and other details.
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