Qantas Airways (/ˈkwɒntəs/ KWON-təs; ASX: QAN) is the flag carrier airline of Australia and its largest airline by fleet size, international flights and international destinationsIt is the third oldest airline in the world, after KLM and Avianca having been founded in November 1920; it began international passenger flights in May 1935. The Qantas name comes from “QANTAS”, an acronym for its original name, “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services”, and it is nicknamed “The Flying Kangaroo”. Qantas is a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance.
The airline is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot with its main hub at Sydney Airport. As of March 2014, Qantas had a 65% share of the Australian domestic market and carried 14.9% of all passengers travelling in and out of Australia. Various subsidiary airlines operate to regional centres and on some trunk routes within Australia under the Qantas Link banner. Its subsidiary Jetconnect provides services between Australia and New Zealand, flying under the Qantas brand. Qantas also owns Jetstar Airways, a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand; and holds stakes in a number of other Jetstar-branded airlines.
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International flights (excluding North and South America)
Weight based baggage allowances
No single piece can exceed 32kg (70lb). For tickets issued on all Qantas international flights excluding flights to/from South and North America, the following weight allowance apply:
| Travel class | Adult | Qantas Club members and Silver Qantas Frequent Flyers | Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers | Platinum and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 30kg (66lb) | 42kg (92lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 50kg (110lb) |
| Premium Economy | 40kg (88lb) | 52kg (114lb) | 56kg (123lb) | 60kg (132lb) |
| Business | 40kg (88lb) | 52kg (114lb) | 56kg (123lb) | 60kg (132lb) |
| First | 50kg (110lb) | 62kg (136lb) | 66kg (136lb) | 70kg (154lb) |
Exceptions
QF4021/4017/4018/4024/4025/4026 between Singapore – Tokyo (Narita) and Singapore – Tokyo (Haneda): Baggage allowance is 2 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each in Economy, 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each in Business, and 1 piece up to 10kg (22lb) per infant.
QF3874/3875 between Singapore – Helsinki: Baggage allowance is 1 piece up to 23kg (50lb) in Economy, 2 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each in Business and 1 piece up to 10kg (22lb) per infant.
Total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in). Dimensions for checked baggage are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
For tickets issued with an allowance in kilograms only, there is no restriction on the number of pieces within the weight allowance for international travel.
Note: if you’ve purchased international and domestic flights and these are on the same ticket, the international checked baggage allowances apply to the domestic flights too. Where the international and domestic flights are on separate tickets, if the connection time is within the same calendar day* the international checked baggage allowance is accepted on both flights. Be sure to present both tickets when checking your baggage in. Exceptions apply.
International flights to North and South America
Note for USA and Canada: Under USA and Canadian regulations, if your final ticketed origin or destination is within the USA or Canada, the airline whose flight number appears for the first flight on your ticket will determine whether its baggage rules or another airline’s baggage rules will apply to all the flights in your itinerary. For travel between Australia and the USA, usually (but not always) Qantas’ baggage rules will apply. However, note that any additional allowance for Qantas Frequent Flyers or Qantas Club members applies only to the flights specified above.
Mobility equipment – USA Flights only: Note that there is no limit on the number of pieces of mobility equipment allowed to be carried for customers with a disability and it does’nt count towards the carry-on baggage allowance.
Piece based baggage allowances
No single piece can exceed 32kg (70lb).
| Travel class | Adult | Qantas Club members and Silver and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers | Platinum and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each | 3 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
| Premium Economy | 2 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each | 3 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
| Business | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 4 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
| First | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 4 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
Total dimensions of the 3 pieces must not exceed 405cm (159in) and total dimensions of the 2 pieces must not exceed 270cm (106in) with no single piece exceeding 158cm (62in). Dimensions for checked baggage are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
If you’ve purchased international and domestic flights and these are on the same ticket, the international checked baggage allowance applies to the domestic flights too. Where the international and domestic flights are on separate tickets, if the connection time is within the same calendar day* the international checked baggage allowance is accepted on both flights. Be sure to present both tickets when checking your baggage in. Exceptions apply.
Domestic flights
Baggage allowance is included on every domestic flight within Australia on Qantas and QantasLink
No single piece can exceed 32kg (70lb).
Where possible, we will endeavour to carry checked baggage on the same flight you’re travelling on. However, it may at times need to be transported on a later flight, in which case we’ll deliver your baggage to you, unless you’re required to be present for customs clearance.
If you’re 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. Present both tickets when checking your baggage in.
For Jetstar baggage information please refer to jetstar.com.Opens external site in a new window
| Travel class | Adult | Qantas Club members and Silver Qantas Frequent Flyers | Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers | Platinum and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 piece up to 23kg (50lb) | 1 piece up to 32kg (70lb) | 2 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 2 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
| Business | 2 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 2 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 2 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each | 3 pieces up to 32kg (70lb) each |
Exceptions
Exceptions to baggage allowances exist for certain destinations. Baggage carried above these allowances may not travel on the same flight due to aircraft weight restrictions.
You can find out which aircraft you’ll be flying on at timetables. Note: all flights are subject to last minute aircraft changes.
| Aircraft type | Destination | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Dash 8 Services | All (exceptions apply as below) | 1 piece up to 23kg (50lb) |
| Lord Howe Island | 1 piece up to 14kg (30lb) |
Total dimensions of each piece must not exceed 140cm (55in). Dimensions for checked baggage are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
Infants and children
Infant allowance
| Allowance | Additional items | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | None | Plus 3 infant items~ |
| International flights to/from The Americas | 1 piece up to 10kg (22lb) with total dimensions not exceeding 115cm (45in) | Plus 3 infant items~ |
| International flights on all other routes (other than The Americas) | 10kg (22lb) Exception: 1 piece up to 10kg (22lb) on QF4021/4022/4023/4024/4025/4026 between Singapore-Narita and Singapore-Haneda, and QF3874/3875 between Singapore-Helsinki |
Plus 3 infant items~ |
Infant items
When travelling on a Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number, for each infant travelling with an adult, up to three infant items, each weighing up to 32kg (70lb), can be checked in free of charge~. This can include:
- collapsible stroller or push-chair;
- collapsible cot or bassinet; and
- car seat or baby capsule.
Child allowance
| Allowance | Additional items | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Same as standard adult allowance | Plus 2 child items~ |
| International flights to/from The Americas | Same as standard adult allowance | Plus 2 child items~ |
| International flights on all other routes (other than The Americas) | Same as standard adult allowance | Plus 2 child items~ |
Child items
When travelling on a Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number, for each child travelling with an adult, up to two child items, each weighing up to 32kg, can be checked in free of charge~. This can include:
- car seat
- collapsible stroller or pushchair.
Medical and mobility equipment
Passengers requiring it for their own use may also check in medical/life dependant equipment and two pieces of mobility equipment without additional cost.
For USA flights only: there is no limit on the number of pieces of Mobility Equipment allowed to be carried for customers with a disability. Visit our mobility assistance page for further information.
Unaccompanied baggage
We offer an unaccompanied baggage service on most routes. This service may be a convenient and cost-effective alternative to paying excess baggage rates. You must hold a valid 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 and can only consist of personal clothing and articles including books, portable music instruments and portable sporting equipment.
Unaccompanied baggage is carried on a ‘space available’ basis to the destination, and not necessarily on the same flight you’re travelling on.
Note: you may be required to pay handling or government customs and quarantine charges at the destination for your unaccompanied baggage.
Note: The USA Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have placed restrictions on uplifting personal effects and household goods to the USA. These restrictions also apply to unaccompanied baggage accepted as freight to the USA.
For more information call 13 12 13 within Australia or your local Qantas Freight office.
Packing your baggage
All contents of your baggage need to be packed securely and appropriately. Do not pack valuables, essential medication or important documents in your checked baggage
You must ensure each item of checked baggage is labelled with your name, address and contact details. We recommend that you lock your baggage. However, it may be necessary for governments, airports or their contractors to open and inspect your baggage as part of the security screening process. If your baggage is locked, and you aren’t present when it’s necessary to open it, the lock may be broken by security screeners.
For passengers travelling to or from the United States, the USA Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that you can avoid the need for locks to be broken by using a TSA recognised locking mechanism, which can be opened by the TSA. Visit the TSA website for further information.
If you choose to utilise baggage-wrapping services offered at some airports, you should allow additional time to complete this process before check-in. If security wrapping needs to be removed for inspection by governments, airports or their contractors as part of the security screening process it will not be replaced.
We’re unable to advise you at the time of check-in whether your baggage will need to undergo additional security checks.
Checked baggage: need to know
Acceptance of your baggage is subject to compliance with our:
- conditions of carriage
- applicable size and weight limits
- applicable laws and security measures including those imposed by airports
- dangerous goods guide.
Note that even if your baggage meets the above requirements, we may refuse to carry it if it’s not properly and securely packed. Finally, remember that no single item of checked baggage can exceed 32kg (70lb) and all cabin baggage must fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead locker, including musical instruments.
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