Flying several airlines on one trip: which limit do I use?
The strictest leg wins. Your bag has to pass every gate on the itinerary, so the smallest size and the lowest weight on any leg become your limit for the whole trip.
A typical example: Qantas from Melbourne to Sydney (56 x 36 x 23 cm, 7 kg), then Rex to Dubbo (about 48 x 34 x 23 cm, 7 kg). A 55 cm spinner is fine on the first flight and refused on the second. Pack for the Saab 340, not the 737.
- List every flight, including codeshares: the operating airline's rules apply, not the one you booked with.
- Note the smallest length, width and depth separately, then the lowest weight.
- Use our size filter to find bags inside that box.
A soft-sided bag gives you a little extra tolerance on tight regional sizers; a rigid shell gives you none.
Why does my bag measure bigger than the listing says?
Wheels and handles count. Many listings quote the body of the case only. Airlines measure everything: wheels, the retracted trolley handle, carry handles, feet and any bulging front pocket.
To measure properly:
- Pack the bag the way you will travel with it. An empty soft bag is always smaller.
- Stand it upright on a hard floor and measure height from the floor to the top of the handle.
- Measure width at the widest point, usually across the wheel housings.
- Measure depth from the back including handles to the front of the fullest pocket.
- Weigh it with a luggage scale; bathroom scales are not accurate enough at 7 kg.
Where a manufacturer states the overall size we use that figure. When in doubt, allow 2 to 3 cm.
What happens if my bag does not fit at the gate?
Staff ask you to place the bag in the metal sizer, and Jetstar and some others weigh it too. If it fails, the usual outcomes are:
- Jetstar: a gate fee, and the bag goes in the hold. Gate fees are much higher than buying extra carry-on or a checked bag online.
- Qantas and Virgin Australia: the bag is tagged and placed in the hold. When your fare includes checked baggage this is usually free; otherwise excess charges can apply.
- Rex: over-limit bags are offloaded to the hold at the aircraft.
To get it through: move heavy items (laptop, power bank, shoes, jacket) into a jacket pocket or your under-seat bag if that item has room, compress soft bags with the straps, and remove anything clipped to the outside. Never put power banks or spare lithium batteries in a bag going into the hold: take them out first.
What counts as a personal item?
A handbag, laptop bag, small backpack or camera bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Virgin Australia sets a maximum of 45 x 33 x 20 cm. Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand allow a small item without publishing a size, so we use 40 x 30 x 15 cm as a safe target.
Do airlines really weigh carry-on bags in Australia?
Yes, particularly Jetstar, which weighs bags at check-in kiosks and sometimes at the gate. Qantas and Virgin Australia weigh less often but do run checks on busy routes. Keep a small luggage scale in your bag and aim for half a kilo under the limit.
Can I bring a power bank?
Yes, in the cabin only. Power banks up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V) are allowed without approval on Australian airlines; 100 to 160 Wh needs airline approval; above 160 Wh is not allowed. Many airlines now ask you not to charge devices from a power bank in flight, so check the announcement on board.
Why are prices in US dollars? What does the A$ figure mean?
Every product links to Amazon.com, the US store, which sells in US dollars. The US$ price is the one we saw on the listing.
The ≈ A$ figure underneath is only a rough guide, converted at about 1.43 Australian dollars per US dollar and rounded to the nearest dollar. What you actually pay in A$ depends on the exchange rate and any foreign transaction fee charged by your bank or card, plus shipping and import charges that Amazon shows at checkout.
Why is the price on Amazon different from your page?
Prices on Amazon.com change frequently, sometimes several times a day. We show the price when we last checked the listing. The price on Amazon at the moment you buy is the one that applies, plus any shipping and import charges to Australia shown at checkout.
Do these products ship to Australia?
Many Amazon.com products ship internationally, and Amazon shows the delivery cost and any import charges at checkout once your Australian address is entered. Availability can vary by product and seller, so check the delivery details on the product page.
Do you earn money from these links?
Some links are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Commission never decides which products we list or in what order. See our affiliate disclosure.
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