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QF · Australia · Full-service

Qantas Carry-On Size 2026 56 x 36 x 23 cm

By Caden SorensonVerified Oct 2026Sourced from the official Qantas policy

Exact Qantas carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Qantas dimensions
  3. Weight limit
  4. Carry-on fee
  5. Bag fit matrix
  6. Fare class breakdown
  7. Overhead bin size
  8. What counts as a personal item
  9. Common mistakes
  10. Gate-check process
  11. vs Virgin Australia
  12. Checked bag fees
  13. Special items
  14. Basic economy
  15. FAQ
  16. Sources

Quick answer

Qantas carry-on bags can be up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9"), with a 7 kg (15 lb) weight limit, and no carry-on fee on any fare, including the Economy Sale fare.

  • Carry-on size: up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9")
  • Weight limit: 7 kg (15 lb)
  • Carry-on fee: free on every fare, including the Economy Sale fare
  • Personal item: must fit under the seat, free on every fare
  • Gate-check risk: Medium
  • Last verified: Oct 2026
Qantas carry-on maximum size, 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches)56 cm (22")23 cm (9")36 cm(14")LHW
Qantas maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (cm)
56 x 36 x 23 cm
Max dimensions (in)
22 x 14 x 9"
Weight limit
7 kg (15 lb)
Fee
Free
Gate-check risk
Medium

The 7 kg limit is International Economy: 1 overhead bag (56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus 1 personal item. Domestic Economy and Business, and International First, Business and Premium Economy, allow 1 overhead bag, 1 underseat bag (48 x 34 x 23 cm) and 1 personal item, 14 kg total with max 10 kg per item. QantasLink Dash 8 Q400 is 1 overhead bag and 1 personal item at 7 kg. Flights departing India allow 1 overhead bag only (Economy 7 kg, Business 10 kg).

Personal Item

Max dimensions (cm)
Not published
Max dimensions (in)
Not published
Included
Yes, free
Weight
Counts toward 7 kg total

One small personal item under the seat in front, such as a cross body bag, small handbag or a laptop in a slim bag. Domestic and premium international cabins also allow an underseat bag up to 48 x 34 x 23 cm.

See checked bag fees & more

Does your bag fit on Qantas?

Check it against every airline

Alliance and loyalty

Alliance
oneworld
Loyalty program
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Official partner airlines

Qantas cabin bag dimensions and bag size

The maximum Qantas carry-on size is 56 x 36 x 23 cm, or 22 x 14 x 9 inches as Qantas publishes it. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can go over if its wheels push the total past 56 cm. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Qantas carry-on weight limit

Qantas limits carry-on bags to 7 kg (15 lb).

Does Qantas charge for carry-on bags?

No. Qantas includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Sale fare.

What bags fit as a Qantas personal item

Common bag types compared against the Qantas personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag typeTypical sizeOn Qantas
Standard backpack
Everyday daypack, laptop backpack
18 x 13 x 8"Under-seat only
Tote bag
Canvas or leather tote
15 x 14 x 5"Under-seat only
Laptop bag
Messenger or slim briefcase
16 x 12 x 4"Under-seat only
Small duffel
Gym or weekender
18 x 11 x 11"Under-seat only
Purse
Handbag or crossbody
12 x 10 x 5"Under-seat only
Under-seat roller
Mini wheeled bag
16 x 14 x 8"Under-seat only

Qantas carry-on by fare class

FareCarry-onPersonal itemNotes
International EconomyIncludedIncluded1 overhead bag, 56x36x23 cm, plus 1 personal item, 7 kg maximum.
Domestic Economy and BusinessIncludedIncluded1 overhead bag, 1 underseat bag and 1 personal item, 14 kg total with max 10 kg per item.
International First / Business / Premium EconomyIncludedIncluded1 overhead bag, 1 underseat bag and 1 personal item, 14 kg total with max 10 kg per item.

Qantas overhead bin size by aircraft

On domestic QantasLink Dash 8 Q400 flights, the allowance is 1 overhead bag and 1 personal item at 7 kg. Small wheelie bags do not fit overhead and are collected at boarding and returned on arrival.

What counts as a personal item on Qantas

Allowed

  • Handbag
  • Small laptop bag
  • Slim daypack that fits under the seat

Common Qantas carry-on mistakes

  • Bringing a small wheelie bag onto a Dash 8 Q400, where it does not fit overhead and will be collected at boarding.
  • Assuming International Economy gets the 14 kg domestic allowance. It is 1 overhead bag plus 1 personal item at 7 kg.
  • Forgetting that a non-rigid garment bag up to 114 x 60 x 11 cm counts toward your carry-on allowance.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Qantas

On Dash 8 Q400 services, small wheelie bags do not fit in the overhead lockers, so they are collected at boarding and returned to you on arrival.

Qantas vs Virgin Australia carry-on

Qantas International Economy allows 1 carry-on up to 7 kg at 56x36x23 cm plus 1 personal item, while Qantas domestic flights allow an overhead bag, an underseat bag and a personal item up to 14 kg total. Virgin Australia Economy allows 1 bag up to 8 kg at 56x36x23 cm plus 1 personal item. On domestic jets Qantas is the more generous of the two by total weight, while on a single bag Virgin allows 1 kg more. Both airlines restrict regional turboprop cabins, Qantas on the Dash 8 Q400 (1 overhead bag and 1 personal item at 7 kg) and Virgin on F100 and Alliance or Link operated services, which fall back to the Economy allowance regardless of fare.

See Virgin Australia carry-on size
Qantas checked baggage fees
Domestic economy
1st bagFree
2nd bagNot published
Long-haul / international
1st bagFree
Weight limit70 lb
Linear dim62 in
Overweight & oversize
51–70 lbNot published
71–100 lbNot published
63–80 inNot published

International Economy: 30 kg total on weight-concept routes (Asia, Europe, Africa, New Zealand). 1 piece up to 32 kg on North/South America piece-concept routes. Qantas Frequent Flyer status (Silver+) receives additional allowance. Sale/Saver/Flex fares share the same Economy baggage allowance; Flex only adds flexibility on changes. Max single bag 32 kg / 70 lb and 158 cm / 62 in linear.

Ways to skip the Qantas checked bag fee

  1. Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Qantas carry-on size.
  2. Check your Qantas Frequent Flyer status. See whether your tier includes a free checked bag on Qantas.
Qantas special items & sports equipment
Ski / snowboard
As a checked bagsee details below
Golf clubs
As a checked bagsee details below
Bicycle
As a checked bagsee details below
Pet in cabin
Not published
Pet as cargo
Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments such as violins can travel as carry-on if they meet the carry-on baggage criteria. Larger instruments such as guitars must be checked, or a bulky item like a cello can fly in a purchased extra seat.

Qantas does not allow pets in the cabin except service dogs. Pets travel in the hold, booked through Qantas Freight. For international pet travel, Qantas recommends a pet travel specialist because of complex customs and quarantine requirements. Ski, golf, and bike equipment count as a standard checked bag within allowance, one piece per item; extra pieces are charged as additional baggage. Additional baggage prices on Australian domestic and international flights rose from 9 June 2026.

Qantas basic economy restrictions
Economy SaleQantas' lowest fare tier
Carry-on allowed
Yes
Personal item allowed
Yes
Checked bag surcharge
Not published
  • Cheapest Economy fare with high change/cancel fees
  • Same baggage allowance as Saver/Flex (no reduction)
  • Non-refundable
  • Limited Qantas Points earning

Frequently asked questions

What is the Qantas carry-on size limit?

Qantas allows carry-on bags up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9"), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. The weight limit is 7 kg (15 lb).

What are the Qantas carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Qantas carry-on size limit in centimeters is 56 x 36 x 23 cm. Qantas publishes the inch size as 22 x 14 x 9". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Qantas hand luggage allowance?

Qantas hand luggage (the cabin bag that goes in the overhead bin) can measure up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm and weigh up to 7 kg. A personal item that fits under the seat is also included on every fare.

What is the Qantas carry-on weight limit?

Qantas limits carry-on bags to 7 kg (15 lb).

Does Qantas charge for carry-on bags?

No. Qantas includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Sale fare.

What is the Qantas personal item size?

Qantas does not publish personal item dimensions. One small personal item under the seat in front, such as a cross body bag, small handbag or a laptop in a slim bag. Domestic and premium international cabins also allow an underseat bag up to 48 x 34 x 23 cm.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Qantas?

Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on Qantas as Medium. It is our own rating, not a figure Qantas publishes. Arrive early in your boarding group to improve the odds of space in the overhead bins.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Qantas carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the Qantas carry-on limit of 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9"). Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Qantas?

Qantas does not publish exact personal item dimensions. Our guidance: a small daypack that slides fully under the seat is the safest choice; oversized hiking or travel backpacks count as a carry-on.

Is there a weight limit for personal items on Qantas?

Yes. Qantas counts the personal item toward the 7 kg (15.4 lb) cabin baggage limit, so your cabin bags together must weigh no more than 7 kg. That is the International Economy limit. Domestic Economy allows 14 kg in total, with no single item over 10 kg.

How much does a checked bag cost on Qantas?

Qantas includes a first checked bag on most economy fares.

Flying Qantas out of these airports?

Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Qantas hubs and focus cities.

Qantas head-to-head comparisons

In-depth comparisons between Qantas and another carrier, covering bags, seats, on-time performance, routes, and loyalty.

Sources

Facts, costs, and travel details in this carry-on guide were verified against the following sources. See our research methodology for how we vet and update data.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.

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Gear, tactics, and packing help for your Qantas flight.

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