As domestic borders gradually open up more, travellers are itching to book flights to see friends and family or just explore the great outdoors. Once you’ve booked the flights, it’s time to pack.
Whether you’re bringing your whole wardrobe or smuggling boxes of Krispy Kremes to less fortunate states, here is a concise guide to domestic baggage allowances of major Australian-based airlines.
We’ve set it up to directly compare checked and carry-on baggage allowance between airlines, so you can easily identify which policy works best for you.
Economy Class checked baggage allowances
Though Qantas and Virgin Australia fares are among the two highest on any given route, both tickets currently include a hand-carry and checked baggage allowance. We’ve also included Jetstar, Alliance Airlines and Rex.
| Economy Class |  Qantas |  Virgin Australia |  Jetstar |  Alliance Airlines |  Rex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Economy Class allowance | 1 piece, 23kg | 1 piece, 23kg | None included with Starter Fare. Purchase Bundles or extra baggage add-on 20kg included when booked through Qantas | 20kg when booked through Alliance 1 piece, 23kg when booked through Virgin Australia | 15kg for most fares 23kg for Rex Flex fare 23kg for passengers with proof of international connection within 24 hours |
| Global alliance membership | 2 pieces, 23kg each for non-Qantas oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members | - | - | - | - |
| Lounge membership | 1 piece, 32kg for Qantas Club members | - | - | - | - |
| Silver FF | 1 piece, 32kg for Silver Frequent Flyers (QF) | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Silver Frequent Flyers (VA) | - | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Silver Frequent Flyers (VA) when booked through Virgin Australia | - |
| Gold FF | 2 pieces, 32kg for Gold Frequent Flyers (QF) | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Gold Frequent Flyers (VA) | - | 2 pieces, 23kg each for Gold Frequent Flyers (VA) when booked through Virgin Australia | - |
| Platinum FF and higher | 2 pieces, 32kg for Platinum and Platinum One Frequent Flyers (QF) | 3 pieces, 23kg each for Platinum Frequent Flyers (VA) | - | 3 pieces, 23kg each for Platinum Frequent Flyers (VA) when booked through Virgin Australia | - |
Exceptions
For Qantas, Dash-8 services allow for 1 piece up to 23kg across the board, and flights to Lord Howe Island which accepts two pieces of luggage with a total of 23kg. Read more about the restrictions at Qantas.
Business Class checked baggage allowances
Qantas and Virgin Australia currently offer Business Class service in Australia. We’ll update this table if competitor Rex rises to the occasion in 2021 with its own premium class offering.
Only Platinum Frequent Flyers of either program get an increased baggage allowance in Business Class, otherwise, 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 115cm piece up to 10kg OR 2x 105cm pieces up to 14kg with one not being more than 10kg OR 2 pieces up to 14kg with 1x 105cm bag and 1x 185cm non-rigid garment bag | 1x 115cm piece up to 7kg OR 2x 105cm pieces up to 7kg total OR 1x 115cm piece and 1x 185cm non-rigid suit pack up to 7kg total | 1x 115cm main item in the overhead lockers 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 105cm cabin bag not exceeding 5kg (Fokker 50), or 7kg (Fokker 70 and 100) | 2x 105cm small bags no more than 7kg combined One small bag may be substituted for 1x 185cm non-rigid garment bag |
| 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) 1x 115cm main item in the overhead lockers 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 additional items.
Click the corresponding airline name in the table below to review each carrier’s infant and child policies in more details.
| 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$30 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 quite similar. You’ll generally find the most variations occur with low-cost carriers (i.e. Jetstar), and regional carriers with smaller planes (Alliance Airlines and Rex).
When flying Qantas or Virgin Australia, you’ll generally have similar baggage checked and carry-on baggage allowances, depending on your cabin class and frequent flyer tier or memberships.
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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