We’ve all witnessed it, and many of us have done it. The chaotic check-in luggage shuffle.
After hours of careful packing, neatly folded undies and toiletries are suddenly strewn across the terminal floor, as you desperately try to make those extra kilos disappear into your carry-on.
But while you might be tempted to pull a Mary Poppins and stuff the lot into your handbag, beware; it’s not always that simple.
Because, at the risk of fat-shaming your purse, there are weight limits for cabin baggage too.
Judging by a number of outraged posts on social media recently, plenty of flyers are learning that the hard way, by having excess baggage fees slapped on their portly carry-on.
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The allowances vary from airline to airline, but it’s generally about ensuring there’s enough space in the overhead lockers and, in some cases, also about keeping ticket costs down (in other words, if you want extra luggage, you pay for it).
To save it happening to you, we thought it might be worth outlining the rules for the major airlines and their domestic services.
Tiger Air
1 x main item and one small item, neither of which can exceed 54cm x 38cm x 23cm and must have a combined weight no greater than 7kg.
Jetstar
1 x main item, plus 1 x small item, neither of which can exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm and must have a combined weight no greater than 7kg.
Virgin
2 x items, neither of which can exceed 48cm x 34cm x 23cm and must have a combined weight of no greater 7kg.
Plus one small personal item, eg. a ‘reasonably sized’ handbag or laptop bag.
Qantas
2 x 105cm bags; or 1 x 105cm bag plus 1 x 185cm non-rigid garment bag; or 1 x 115cm (45in) bag, at no greater than 7kg per item.
Plus one small personal item, eg. a handbag or laptop bag.
For more detailed information about cabin baggage allowances contact your airline.
Top Comments
It is painfully obvious when you buy your ticket, and again when you check in. There are bag checkers for you to use in the terminal, with a cage showing max size and a scale. It's not excusable to just not read the detail when you buy a ticket. The amount of times we have been careful to bring the right carry-on while others waltz on and take up half a bin with multiple more items than allowed is INFURIATING. I once watched a lady have a hissy fit when someone squished her broad-brimmed hat which was placed in the overhead bin, along with an overnight bag, a large coat and a small suitcase placed in the wrong way all belonging to her. This was Jetstar, she was only allowed the overnight bag because she also had her handbag on her person also! GAH. The poor flight attendant just about had a panic attack trying to work out the space, they didn't remove any of her items though, they took the other persons items and put them in the canin crew storage instead. Too nice, she was.
Did people really not know that carry on luggage is limited? I thought that was as obvious as the check in limit?
I think it's more than it wasn't always checked before and now maybe they're checking it more often? I haven't flown since 2011 or 2012 and I just walked right on with my carry-on. It was under 7kg...but they wouldn't have known if it wasn't. Nobody even asked.