Your guide to Qantas carry-on baggage allowances

Nobody likes waiting around baggage carousels for their luggage to arrive, which is why so many travellers master the art of flying 'carry-on only'.

When it comes to Qantas and its regional arm QantasLink, there are a few rules to learn – so here's what you need to know about Qantas' carry-on baggage allowances on domestic and international flights.

Qantas carry-on baggage allowances for Dash-8 flights

While Qantas applies the same cabin baggage allowance to almost all of its domestic flights, its QantasLink Dash-8 services are the exception to that rule, so it pays to understand that exception first.

Here's what you can bring on board the Dash-8:

These restrictions stem from the smaller size of the overhead lockers aboard most of QantasLink's Dash-8 fleet.

While smaller bags may be allowed into the cabin, larger carry-on bags – typically being most with wheels – will be tagged as 'premium hand luggage' and collected from you before you board the aircraft, rather than allowing you to carry them onto the plane yourself.

Before leaving a QantasLink flight, ensure you have collected any tagged 'premium hand luggage'.

These won't be taken as checked luggage, but will be stored in a separate compartment that's not accessible during the flight. Upon landing, the hand luggage will be unloaded and given back to you before you enter the terminal.

Even if guests have other connecting Qantas domestic or international flights with a more generous cabin baggage policy, the airline advises passengers to pack for the Dash-8 service as it has the most restrictive allowances.

Qantas carry-on baggage allowance on domestic flights

Provided none of your domestic flights are operated by the Dash-8, you can take advantage of Qantas' rather generous cabin baggage policy, regardless of whether you're booked in business class or economy.

This policy also gives you several choices regarding how much you can pack, and in what type of bag, regardless of whether you're flying on a the smaller Embraer 190 or Boeing 717, the Boeing 737 workhorse or the sleek twin-aisle Airbus A330.

Of course, if you have a Qantas domestic flight connecting to a Qantas international flight, then the international allowance will apply for the whole journey – otherwise, you'd have too much cabin baggage for your onward flight.

Qantas carry-on baggage allowance on international flights

Qantas' international cabin baggage allowance in first class, business class and premium economy is the same as for all domestic travellers.

International carry-on allowances on partner airlines can apply if your domestic Qantas flight is on the same ticket.

This means if you're connecting between a domestic and an international flight, you won't need to worry about following different cabin baggage policies, as the same rules will apply on both flights, as follows:

However, passengers flying international economy class have a pared-back cabin baggage allowance of one 7kg bag or one garment bag.

On flights departing from Delhi, India, you’ll only be able to carry one piece of carry-on baggage of up to 10kg and a maximum dimension of 115cm or a 185cm non-rigid garment bag of up to 10kg.

Qantas carry-on baggage allowance for children and infants

Whilst children (aged between two and 11 years inclusive) have the same carry-on baggage allowance as adults, infants (passengers aged up to 23 months) have no carry-on baggage allowance at all.

However, items required during the flight such as food and nappies may be carried in addition to the accompanying adult’s baggage allowance.

Adults travelling with infants can take some extra items onboard for little ones on their lap.

How to measure dimensions for cabin baggage

You'll see many references to "dimensions" above, which refers to the sum of the length, width and height of your luggage, measured in centimetres.

With a tape measure (or even a ruler!), it's very easy to check the dimensions of your own bag, by measuring all three sides and adding the numbers together.

Take this Rimowa Cabin S bag, for instance. Its dimensions are 55cm + 40cm + 20cm, which equals 115cm exactly.

According to the tables above, this bag is too big for Dash-8 services but can be brought on its own for Qantas domestic or international flights.

Also, keep in mind that the weight of the luggage itself will restrict how much you can pack, as the weight allowances per bag apply to both the bag and its contents.

In other words, if your bag must weigh 7kg or less, that means 7kg on the scale.

If bringing aboard this same 4.2kg Rimowa bag, a traveller would only have 2.8kg left for their own belongings, which isn't much once you've packed a laptop, the obligatory chargers, liquids and more.

Qantas carry-on baggage allowances for connecting flights

As above, if you're connecting between two different flights, you'll generally need to pack for the most restrictive cabin baggage allowance of the two.

If there's any confusion, you can check the baggage limits on your ticket by visiting Qantas' carry-on baggage page and entering the details of your booking at the top.

General guidelines for Qantas carry-on baggage

Other than the basic rules regarding size and weight, you should also observe the following restrictions and guidelines:

• Carry-on baggage should fit under the seat in front, or in the overhead lockers.
• Carry-on baggage should not include any dangerous goods, unless permitted.
• You should be capable of safely lifting your own bag into the overhead lockers.
• Power banks and spare batteries should be packed into your carry-on bags only, not your checked luggage.
• Bulky items (such as larger musical instruments or technical equipment) can be brought onboard (except on Dash 8 services) as long as you have purchased an extra seat, notified Qantas at the time of booking, the item has a handle to allow it to be secured safely, and its dimensions don’t exceed the maximum specified in the table below.

• On international flights, all liquids, aerosols and gels carried onboard must be 100ml or less and displayed within a clear resealable bag, except for any duty-free items sold at the airport and permitted into the cabin.
• Travel accessories that attach to or between aircraft seats, or block access to seat rows and aisles, are prohibited. Some examples include but are not limited to leg hammocks, bed boxes and inflatable cubes.

Make sure you keep your toiletries to within permitted allowances.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 7kg carry-on limit include a handbag?

Qantas allows one ‘personal item’ in addition to the 7kg limit, and that personal item can be a handbag or laptop bag, for example.

How strict is Qantas with carry-on baggage?

While you may get away with having carry-on bags that are slightly overweight or oversize, Qantas does have a history of cracking down on hand luggage allowances and weighing bags at the gate. In fairness, the airline has a generous carry-on allowance, particularly for domestic flights.

Can you bring two carry-on bags with Qantas?

Yes, it's possible to bring on two cabin bags with a combined weight of 14kg and no bag greater than 10kg, for most Qantas domestic flights. The same allowance is given for premium economy, business class and first class passengers on international flights. Regional Dash-8 flights have a one-bag limit due to space restrictions.

Do Qantas frequent flyers get a bigger baggage allowance?

No. When travelling with Qantas and QantasLink, your cabin baggage allowance is determined by your booking class (business class, economy etc.) and the nature of your flight (Dash-8, other domestic, or international).

Qantas Club members, as well as Qantas Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, receive no additional cabin baggage allowance. However, additional checked baggage may be available to these members.

What is not allowed in carry-on bags with Qantas?

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) maintains a list of dangerous goods that can't be brought onboard, including many types of weapons, explosives and dangerous chemicals. See Qantas' flyer on dangerous goods to see what is permitted and what needs an exemption to be brought onboard.

Can I carry a handbag apart from my carry-on with Qantas?

Yes, even if the total cabin baggage per passenger is pegged at 14kg across two standard-sized bags, you may carry an additional ‘personal item’ bag such as a small satchel or slim briefcase.

Specific rules apply in regards to taking your own wheelchair on a Qantas flight.

Can I carry my own wheelchair or other mobility aids in the aircraft cabin?

Only passengers travelling internationally on Airbus 380 and Boeing 787 flights are allowed to bring their own collapsible wheelchair on board. However, this will need to be requested during check-in at the airport and an allowance will be provided on a first come first serve basis if the following criteria is met:

• The wheelchair has a maximum dimension of 33cm x 91cm x 106cm in its collapsed state

• Has a maximum weight of 30.9kg

• Complies with Qantas carry-on safety requirements

Smaller mobility items such as crutches, walking canes or collapsible walking frames are also allowed inside the aircraft’s cabin and will be stored in an overhead locker or alternative storage space.

All other passenger mobility aids will be stowed in the hold and you’ll be transferred to the departure gate in a Qantas wheelchair.