You may bring onboard a musical instrument in its hard-shell case that weighs no more than 7kg and doesn’t exceed the maximum dimensions for musical instruments which are 142cm = 85cm x 34cm x 23cm. It must be placed in the overhead locker.
Please remember to measure your musical instrument before checking in at the airport. Small musical instruments, such as violins, usually fit within the musical instrument allowance. Larger musical instruments, like guitars, don’t fit within the musical instrument allowance and must be checked-in. Alternatively, you can purchase an extra seat and carry it as a bulky item as outlined below.
It is recommended that you arrive promptly to board your flight to make sure you can place your musical instrument safely in an overhead locker.
Qantas Carry-On Bulky Items
A bulky item can be carried in the cabin (except on Dash 8 services) but it must not weight more than 7kgs and if the dimensions exceed the maximum specified in the table below you are required to purchase an extra seat.
Examples of bulky items include diplomatic or courier bags, larger musical instrument (e.g. cello), artworks or a piece of technical equipment.
| Class | CM | Dimensions |
| First Class | 178cm | 74cm x 51cm x 53cm |
| Business Class | 169cm | 71cm x 50cm x 48cm |
| Premium Economy & Economy | 158cm | 71cm x 43cm x 44cm |
Qantas Checked Baggage
Qantas passengers are given a certain amount of free baggage allowance, however, the exact amount depends on the class you are flying with and the flight route. Please refer to the tables below.
International flights (excluding North and South America)
No single piece of baggage can exceed 30kg (70lb) or 158cm. For tickets issued on all Qantas international flights excluding flights to/from South and North America, the table below outlines your allowances.
Total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm. Dimensions for checked baggage are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
| Travel Class | Standard Flyer | Qantas Club members and Silver Qantas Frequent Flyers | Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers | Platinum and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers |
| First | 50kg (110lb) | 62kg (136lb) | 66kg (136lb) | 70kg (154lb) |
| Business & Premium Economy | 40kg (88lb) | 52kg (114lb) | 56kg (123lb) | 60kg (132lb) |
| Economy | 30kg (66lb) | 42kg (92lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 50kg (110lb) |
International flights (including North and South America)
No single piece of baggage can exceed 32kg (70lb). For tickets issued on all Qantas international flights including flights to/from South and North America, the table below outlines your allowances.
| Travel Class | Stand Flyer | Qantas Club members and Silver and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers | Platinum and Platinum One Qantas Frequent Flyers |
| First Class & Business Class | 3 x 32kg (70lb) each | 3 x 32kg (70lb) each | 4 x 32kg (70lb) each |
| Premium Economy | 2 x 23kg (50lb) each | 3 x 23kg (50lb) each | 3 x 32kg (70lb) each |
| Economy | 2 x 23kg (50lb) each | 3 x 23kg (50lb) each | 3 x 32kg (70lb) each |
USA and Canada: Under regulations from the USA and Canadian, if your final destination is within the USA or Canada, the airline whose flight 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.
Mobility equipment – USA Flights only: There is no limit on the number of pieces of mobility equipment allowed to be carried on the flight for disabled passengers.
Qantas Excess Baggage
If your baggage will exceed Qantas’ checked baggage allowance then you have the option to buy additional baggage allowance on their website for lower rates than you would pay at the airport. Alternatively, if you are a frequent flyer with Qantas you can use your Qantas Points.
Excess baggage on Qantas is available on Qantas flights only. Excess baggage charges will apply when checking in excess baggage at the airport and you will incur a heavy charge at the airport if your allowance is 23kg per piece and any piece exceeds that weight (for flights within Australia and to the United States only). It’s important to note that no single item of checked baggage may exceed 32kg.
For further information regarding fees and routes, please check the table below.
International travel – excluding the Americas
| Destination | Charge for each excess kg |
| International - between Australia and New Zealand and Papua New Guinea | A$20 per kg
|
| International - between Australia and New Caledonia | A$5 per kg
|
International - between Australia and Asia
| A$35 per kg
|
| International - between Asia and London | A$60 per kg
|
| International - between Australia and South Africa, and Europe | A$80 per kg
|
International travel – including the AmericasPlease note: from 15 October 2019, Qantas has changed its airport excess baggage rates for flights between Australia and the Americas.
| Destination | Charge |
International - to the Americas
| A$200 for each extra piece
A$85 heavy charge |
International - from the Americas
| US$185 for each extra piece
US$85 heavy charge |
Qantas Sports Equipment
If you are travelling with sports equipment you can include it as part of your checked baggage allowance, but this is subject to requirements. Each item must be checked in as one piece and you will incur charges for any additional baggage. To add sports equipment to your booking, go to the Qantas website and click manage booking.
If you want to save on excess baggage fees, you can purchase an additional baggage allowance prior to arriving at the airport. This is subject to free baggage allowance being available on your flight.
If you are shipping sports equipment such as surfboards, surf skis and windsurfers (sailboards) you may not be able to count this towards checked baggage and instead will need to send it as freight. Freight charges will apply.
The maximum weight of any piece of checked baggage is 32kg (70lb). All items must be properly and securely packed.
My Baggage – Airline Baggage Alternative
If you are travelling light on your Qantas flight then checking bags into the hold is an easy option, but what if you are travelling with multiple pieces of luggage or if your bags exceed the weight limit? You might be subject to costly fees and end up paying a lot more for your journey than previously anticipated.
Why not use My Baggage? As an airline baggage alternative, we allow you to ship a massive 30kg/66lb suitcase or boxes at low rates from your door to your destination. We also provide fuss-free sports equipment shipping with guaranteed low-rates.
You’ll also have the option to pay extra for even heavier bags if you need to, and what’s more, you can add as many items as you like to your booking. Shipping your luggage ahead allows you to bring more with you than if you were simply relying on a few pieces of checked baggage and gives you the freedom to ditch the wait at the carousel and not have to worry about carrying heavy suitcases to departures.
Find out more here or click the link below to get a quick quote today.