Checked Baggage
Important Changes to your Checked Baggage Allowance
On 1 December 2008, we introduced a new checked baggage allowance that makes it easier when you travel with Qantas. The new allowances apply for bookings made for travel from 1 March 2009.
If you purchased your ticket after 1 December 2008, the new checked baggage policy will apply.
Be sure to label baggage inside and out, with your name, address and contact number for your destination. Labels can be obtained from Qantas, your local travel agent or at
check-in.
Checked Baggage allowances vary from carrier to carrier.~ Checked Baggage allowances on Qantas operated flights for adults and children are:
| Route | Piece Allowance and Dimensions | Weight Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Domestic | Business: 3 pieces Economy: 1 piece Total dimensions* of each piece must not exceed 140cm (54in) | 32kg (70lb) per piece |
| All Dash aircrafts (excluding travel to/from Lord Howe Island ) For travel to/from Lord Howe Island | Economy: 1 piece Total dimensions* of each piece must not exceed 140cm (54in) Economy: 1 piece | 20kg (44lb) total 14kg (30.2lb) total |
| New Zealand Domestic | Economy: 20kg (44lb)total Infant: 10kg (22lb) total | |
| Travel to/from USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America and Canada^ via the Pacific | First: 2 pieces Total dimensions* of each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in) Business/Economy: 2 pieces Total dimensions* of the 2 pieces must not exceed 270cm (106in) with no 1 piece exceeding 158cm (62in) | 32kg (70lb) per piece |
| All other International^ | First: 40kg (88lb) Business: 30kg (66lb) Economy: 20kg (44lb) Infants:+ 10kg (22lb) |
^ If your itinerary includes a flight to/from or via the USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America or Canada, you are entitled to two pieces (one piece for infants) of checked baggage on all Qantas and QantasLink operated flights within your itinerary,# regardless of whether these flights appear on the same or a separate ticket. You will be required to provide proof of your international ticket at check-in indicating travel to/from or via the USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America or Canada.
# Valid for the duration of your international ticket, or up to a maximum of 12 months from the date of the first flight to/from the USA, US Territories, Tahiti, South America or Canada – whichever date falls first.
* Total dimensions are measured by adding together the width, height and depth of the bag.
Note: Stowage limitations apply on some QantasLink operated services. Baggage may at times need to be transported on a different flight to the passenger. Domestic Travel is defined as travel not combined with any international flights. International Travel is defined as travel between two or more countries including any flights within those countries when they are combined with international travel.
Additional checked baggage allowances are available for Platinum, Gold, and Silver Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members on Qantas operated services (not available on QantasLink services operated by Dash 8 or Beechcraft aircraft, partner airlines or codeshare services not operated by Qantas).
To minimise the risk of damage to undeveloped film, we recommend that it is packed in your carry on baggage rather than in your checked baggage. If you have queries regarding possible damage to your film in carry on baggage, please check with the screening officers.
Changes to British Airways baggage policy
British Airways are changing their policy on checked and excess baggage from 13 February 2007. This will affect customers travelling on a Qantas codeshare flight operated by British Airways.
The new checked baggage allowance will be 23kg per bag. The number of bags you may check in will depend on your class of travel: 1 bag at 23kg if you are travelling in economy class, 2 bags at 23kg in World Traveller Plus and Club Europe, and 3 bags at 23kg for First and Club World passengers.
Any bags checked in in addition to the above allowance will attract a fee.
For further details on British Airways' new baggage policy, visit ba.com.
Baggage for Children & Infants
Children are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults.
Infants have the following baggage allowances:
- Australian Domestic and Dash 8 flights - No allowance
- Travel to and from US Territories, Tahiti, South America and Canada^ via the Pacific - 1 piece with total dimensions not exceeding 115cm (45in)
- New Zealand Domestic and all other International ^ - 10kg (22lb)
Adults accompanying infants are entitled to check-in one collapsible stroller or a carry basket or bassinet (to be stowed in the aircraft hold) and infant food and nappies for use inflight. This is in addition to the normal free baggage allowance for adults.
Additional Collection
A charge will apply for any baggage carried in excess of the free allowance. Additional collection rates vary depending on the destination. The carriage of baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance is subject to space being available.
Unaccompanied Baggage
As a service to passengers, we offer an unaccompanied baggage service on most routes. This service is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to paying excess baggage.
Unaccompanied Baggage can only consist of personal clothing and articles including books, portable music instruments and portable sporting equipment. You must hold an international ticket (for travel on any airline) between the origin and destination airports. The baggage must be consigned at the freight terminal before your flight.
In Sydney, baggage can be consigned at the Qantas Unaccompanied Baggage counter at Sydney International Airport. Unaccompanied Baggage is carried on a 'space available' basis to the destination, not necessarily on the same flight as the passenger.
Note: You may be required to pay handling or government customs and quarantine charges on unaccompanied baggage.
For more information call 1300 368 747 within Australia or your local
Qantas Freight Sales office.
Locking Checked Baggage
We recommend that passengers lock their checked baggage. However, it may be necessary to open and inspect your baggage as part of the security screening process. If your baggage is locked, and you are not present when it is necessary to open it for Government mandated additional security checks, the lock may be broken by security screeners.
We are unable to advise at the time of check-in whether a passenger's baggage will need to undergo additional security checks. Qantas is not liable for damaged locks that must be opened for security purposes.
Travelling to or from the United States
For passengers travelling to or from the United States, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that passengers can avoid the need for locks to be broken by using a TSA recognised locking mechanism, which can be opened by the TSA. For further information, visit the TSA website.
Baggage wrapping
Passengers who choose to utilise baggage-wrapping services offered at some airports should allow additional time to complete this process before check-in. Should wrapped baggage need to undergo Government mandated additional security checks the wrapping will be removed and not replaced.
