Whether it’s a quick overnighter or that big interstate trip you’ve been planning for months, it pays to know how much luggage you can bring on domestic flights. Directly compare checked and carry-on baggage allowance between airlines to quickly identify which policy works best for you.
Economy Class checked baggage allowance
Qantas is the only mainline carrier that includes checked baggage with every fare. Virgin Australia includes baggage on all fares except Lite, where status baggage allowances don’t apply either.
| Economy Class |  Qantas |  Virgin Australia |  Jetstar |  Alliance Airlines |  Rex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Economy Class allowance | 1 piece, 23kg on all fares | Not included with Lite fares. 1 piece, 23kg for Choice and Flex fares | Not included with Starter Fare. Purchase Bundles or extra baggage add-on 23kg included when booked through Qantas | 20kg on scheduled flights | 15kg for most fares 23kg for Rex Flex fare |
| Global alliance membership | 2 pieces, 23kg each for non-Qantas oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members | - | - | - | - |
| Lounge membership | 1 piece, 32kg for full Qantas Club members (not Flexible) | - | - | - | - |
| Silver FF | 1 piece, 32kg for Silver Frequent Flyers (QF) | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Silver Frequent Flyers (VA) - excludes Lite fare | - | - | |
| Gold FF | 2 pieces, 32kg for Gold Frequent Flyers (QF) | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Gold Frequent Flyers (VA) - excludes Lite fare | - | - | |
| Platinum FF and higher | 2 pieces, 32kg for Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyers (QF) | 3 pieces, 23kg each for Platinum Frequent Flyers (VA) - excludes Lite fare | - | - |
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia airlines permit some oversized sporting goods, which form part of your checked luggage allowance. Jetstar does as well, but charges a A$25 fee per oversized item.
Exceptions
For Qantas Dash-8 services, you can bring one piece up to 23kg. On flights to Lord Howe Island, you can bring two pieces with a total of 23kg – but the heaviest bag can’t exceed 14kg. Read more about weight restrictions at Qantas.
Business Class checked baggage allowances
Only Qantas and Virgin Australia offer Business Class service within Australia. Platinum Frequent Flyers of either program get an increased baggage allowance in Business Class. For everyone else, the standard limit applies.
| Business Class | Qantas | Virgin Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Business Class allowance | 2 pieces, 32kg | 2 pieces, 32kg |
| Platinum FF and higher | 3 pieces, 32kg for Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyers (QF) | 3 pieces, 32kg each for Platinum Frequent Flyers (VA) |
Carry-on baggage allowances
All airlines offer a free carry-on baggage allowance, regardless of ticket type and class of travel. The actual weight and size of items allowed onboard vary with each airline.
| Economy Class | Qantas | Virgin Australia | Jetstar | Alliance Airlines | Rex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard carry-on allowance | (Applies to all classes) 1x bag up to 10kg (under 56 x 36 x 23 cm each) OR 2x pieces up to 14kg (under 38 x 24 x 23 cm each) with one not being more than 10kg OR 2 pieces up to 14kg with 1x bag (under 38 x 24 x 23 cm) and 1x 185cm non-rigid garment bag | 1x bag up to 7kg (under 56 x 36 x 23 cm each) OR 2x pieces up to 7kg (under 48 x 34 x 23 cm each) OR 1x bag (under 56 x 36 x 23 cm) and 1x 185cm non-rigid suit pack up to 7kg total | 1x main item in the overhead lockers (no larger than 56 x 36 x 23cm) and 1 small item under the seat in front — total 7kg Extra 7kg carry-on allowance can be purchased to increase limit to 14 kg (each item not more than 10kg) | 1x cabin bag (under 48 x 34 x 23 cm) not exceeding 5kg (Fokker 50), or 7kg (Fokker 70 and 100) | 1x small bag (under 48 x 34 x 23 cm each) and 1x personal item under 7kg total |
| Premium carry-on allowance | - | (For Business Class Velocity Gold and Platinum members) As above, but all 2x piece combinations are now 7kg each (14kg total). | (For Flex Bundle within AU and NZ Domestic) 1x main item in the overhead lockers (no larger than 56 x 36 x 23cm) and 1 small item under the seat in front — total 14kg (each item not more than 10kg) | - | - |
When dimensions are mentioned (e.g. 105cm, 115cm, 185cm), it refers to the sum of the length + width + depth.
Child and infant baggage allowances
On most domestic flights, infants do not have a checked baggage allowance. However, each infant travelling with an adult may be entitled to check in or carry on some infant-related items.
Click the corresponding airline name in the table below to review each carrier’s infant and child policies in more detail.
| All classes | Qantas | Virgin Australia | Jetstar | Alliance Airlines | Rex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard infant allowance | No standard check-in or carry-on allowance | No standard check-in or carry-on allowance | No standard check-in or carry-on allowance | No standard check-in or carry-on allowance | Lap infants are entitled to a check-in allowance of 10kg for a stroller, carry basket or car seat only. |
| Additional infant items allowed | Checked-in Up to three infant items for each infant travelling with an adult (32kg each): - collapsible stroller - collapsible cot - car seat or baby capsule Hand-carry Food and nappies required during a flight may be carried on in addition to the adult's allowance | Checked-in Up to three infant items for each infant travelling with an adult: - pram/stroller - portable cot - car seat or baby capsule - 1x 23kg bag Hand-carry Food and nappies required during a flight may be carried on in addition to the adult's allowance (7kg max) | A$35 Infant Fee is required. Checked-in Any or all of the below infant items for each infant travelling with an adult: - pram/stroller - portable cot - car seat or baby capsule - high chair Hand-carry Food and nappies required during a flight may be carried on as part of the adult's allowance | Checked-in Up to three infant items for each infant travelling with an adult: - pram/stroller - portable cot - car seat or baby capsule Hand-carry Food and nappies required during a flight may be carried on in addition to the adult's allowance | - |
| Standard child allowance | Children have the same check-in and carry-on baggage allowance as adults | Children have the same check-in and carry-on baggage allowance as adults | Children's check-in and carry-on baggage allowance are based on the Jetstar fare and add-ons paid | Children have the same check-in and carry-on baggage allowance as adults | Children have the same check-in and carry-on baggage allowance as adults |
| Additional child items allowed | Up to two child items for each child travelling with an adult (32kg each): - car seat - collapsible stroller or pushchair | Up to two special equipment items for each child travelling with an adult: - pram/stroller - portable cot - car seat or baby capsule | - | - |
All airlines define infants as those who haven’t turned 2 years of age yet. There are different policies for children who turn two during a trip, so check with the airline for further information.
Children are usually defined as those who are 2 to 12 years of age. Everyone older is classed as an adult for the purposes of flying.
Summing up
Overall, the baggage policies for most major airlines in Australia are pretty similar. You’ll generally find that most variations occur with low-cost carriers (i.e. Jetstar) and regional carriers with smaller planes (Alliance Airlines and Rex). Qantas has the most generous policy overall, followed by Virgin Australia on any fare except for Lite.
Do you need any further help with domestic baggage allowances? Ask in the comments below or in the Point Hacks Community.
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