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Feb 22, 2025

Carry-On & Checked Bags On Qantas: What To Know Before You Fly

In the modern aviation industry, increasingly restrictive baggage allowances mean that passengers have to double and triple-check what they can and cannot bring with them on any given flight, based on

In the modern aviation industry, increasingly restrictive baggage allowances mean that passengers have to double and triple-check what they can and cannot bring with them on any given flight, based on the terms and conditions of their ticket. Every airline has its own way of doing things on this front, with Qantas having among the most generous policies. But what are the various rules and regulations?

The first thing to know about Qantasis that all of its passengers, regardless of their class of travel or frequent flyer status level, are entitled to at least some free checked baggage. Such offerings have become increasingly rare over the years, with airlines viewing hold bags as another way of generating ancillary revenue. Other airlines that are notable for free checked bags include Southwest and Loganair.

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However, the exact allowances when it comes to free checked baggage at the Australian flag carrier and oneworld founding member vary somewhat depending on the class of travel and route flown. Indeed, Qantas explains to passengers on its website that "your included checked baggage allowances are determined according to your itinerary and are displayed when you make your booking."

Qantas has a considerable domestic network, and plays an important role in connecting both Australia's largest cities and its rural communities. It does so with mainline flights, as well as regional feeder services operated under the Qantaslink brand. While the checked baggage allowance varies depending on status and travel class, a blanket rule is that "no single piece can exceed 32kg (70lb)."

When flying in economy class on a Qantas or Qantaslinkdomestic flight, passengers who are not loyalty members or have only reached the Bronze tier of the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme are entitled to a single checked bag weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs). For Qantas Club members and Silver Qantas Frequent Flyers, this increases to one 32 kg bag, while Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers are entitled to check in two bags that weigh up to 32 kg each.

When flying in premium economy, non-members or Bronze Frequent Flyers can check in two 23 kg bags, with two 32 kg bags available for those in the Qantas Club and the Silver and Gold tiers. As for Platinum and Platinum One members, three 32 kg bags are allowed. Business class passengers have almost the same allowance, with the one difference being that non-members and Bronze Frequent Flyers are allowed to check in two bags weighing up to 32 kg, rather than 23.

With that being said, there are certain exceptions for domestic flights operated by smaller aircraft or to specific destinations. Indeed, Qantas notes that, for services operated by its DHC Dash 8turboprops, all passengers are limited to a single checked bag weighing up to 23 kg. Meanwhile, when flying to Lord Howe Island, passengers are limited to two checked bags with a combined weight of 23 kg:

On international flights, which are operated by larger aircraft with increased capacity for checked luggage, passengers can bring as many checked bags as they want, as long as their total weight falls within the relevant restrictions. On this front, Qantas notes that for guests "transferring from a Qantas domestic to a Qantas international flight, or vice versa, on the same calendar day, the international baggage allowance is accepted on both flights." Good to know for connecting itineraries!

Regardless of the total weight allowance on international flights, all passengers should be aware of the fact that no single bag can exceed 32 kg in weight, and the combined dimensions (height, width, and depth) must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches). For non-members and Bronze Frequent Flyers, the economy allowance is 30 kg (66 lbs), rising to 40 kg (88 lbs) in premium economy and business class and 590 kg (110 lbs) in first class. As your status increases, so does your allowance.

Indeed, Qantas Club members and Silver Frequent Flyers get 42 kg (92 lbs) in economy, followed by 52 kg (114 lbs) in premium economy and business class and 62 kg (136 lbs) in first class. In the Gold tier, the respective limits for the four classes are 46 kg (101 lbs), 56 kg (123 lbs), 56 kg (123 lbs), and 66 kg (136 lbs), compared to 50 kg (110 lbs), 60 kg (132 lbs), 60 kg (132 lbs), and 70 kg (154 lbs) for Qantas' highest-ranking frequent flyers in the Platinum and Platinum One tiers.

It is worth noting that Qantas has separate rules concerning checked baggage allowances for its international flights to destinations in North and South America. The same rules apply in terms of the maximum dimensions and weight of any given checked bag, but, on these flights, allowance is dictated by the number of bags rather than their combined weight. In all instances, they can each weigh up to 32 kg.

For non-members and Bronze Frequent Flyers, the economy allowance on North and South American flights is one checked bag, with this rising to two in premium economy and business and three in first class. Meanwhile, Qantas Club members and Silver and Gold Frequent Flyers get three bags regardless of their class of travel, while Platinum and Platinum One members are entitled to three checked bags in economy and premium economy and four in business and first class.

"There is no limit on the number of pieces of mobility equipment allowed to be carried for customers with a disability, and it doesn't count towards the carry-on baggage allowance." - Qantas regarding mobility equipment on US flights.

Generally speaking, Qantas' various free checked baggage allowances should be more than enough for most passengers, regardless of their class of travel, flight type, aircraft type, or loyalty status. However, for those wanting to bring more with them, the Australian flag carrier does offer passengers the ability to purchase additional pieces of checked baggage on top of their existing hold bag allowances.

According to Qantas, domestic passengers can buy up to five extra checked bags, with their weight dictated by the class of travel and loyalty status as discussed earlier. For flights to North and South America, five extra pieces weighing up to 32 kg can be purchased, while, for international services to other destinations, up to 100 kg can be added in increments of 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 25 kg or 35 kg.

When flying domestically, the cost of these extra bags comes to A$130 ($83) for each extra piece, with an A$50 ($32) heavy charge for each piece weighing over 23kg. For flights to North and South America, this costs A$300 ($191) for each piece, or US$200 on flights from North and South America. Elsewhere, Qantas charges between A$20 ($13) and A$80 ($51) per kg depending on the route.

On Qantas' domestic flights, all passengers can bring a small personal item onboard (such as a handbag or laptop bag), as well as one of the three following options. The first of these is the fairly standard offering of a single larger item such as a wheeled suitcase, with dimensions of up to 56 cm long x 36 cm wide x 23 cm deep and a maximum weight of 10kg. However, the other two options are:

As previously mentioned, Qantas' Dash 8 turboprops have a restricted allowance when it comes to checked baggage on account of their smaller size, and this is also the case for hand luggage. Indeed, when flying on these aircraft, passengers are limited to a personal item and a small wheelie bag, duffle-style bag or backpack weighing up to 7kg and measuring 48 cm long x 34 cm wide x 23 cm deep.

On international flights, economy passengers (regardless of their loyalty status) are entitled to bring a single larger item such as a wheeled suitcase and a garment bag onboard (with each of these weighing up to 7 kg), as well as the standard personal item. These have the same restrictions when it comes to the bags' respective dimensions as when these kinds of hand luggage are transported domestically.

India has separate restrictions, with passengers permitted one single larger item and one garment bag. Each of these can weigh up to 7 kg in economy or 10 kg in business class.

Meanwhile, in addition to their personal item, premium economy, business, and first class passengers (regardless of status) can bring a single larger item such as a wheeled suitcase with an increased weight limit of 10 kg. Alternatively, they can instead take two smaller duffle-style bags or backpacks weighing 14kg in total (one piece must not exceed 10kg), or one of these bags and a garment bag.

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