International Airline Baggage Guide
International Airline Baggage Guide
Carry-On Guide - Major International Airlines
from Brisbane (BNE) and frequently from Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL).
Rule of thumb: if your main bag stays near 55–56 × 35–40 × 20–23 cm and you respect the weight cap, you’ll breeze through most airlines’ sizers.
Economy carry-on allowances at a glance
|
Airline |
Main carry-on size (max) & pieces |
Weight |
Personal item |
Official policy link |
|
Qantas |
1 piece up to 56×36×23 cm |
7 kg |
Usually 1 small item under seat |
|
|
Virgin Australia (from 2 Feb 2026) |
1 overhead item up to 56×36×23 cm |
8 kg |
1 personal item up to 45×33×20 cm |
|
|
Jetstar Airways |
1 main (≤56×36×23 cm) + 1 small |
7 kg combined (up to 14 kg with add-on) |
Small item under seat |
|
|
Singapore Airlines |
1 piece; total dims ≤115 cm (e.g., 55×40×20 cm) |
7 kg |
Yes |
|
|
Emirates |
1 piece ≤55×38×22 cm |
7 kg |
Yes (handbag/briefcase/garment bag rules apply) |
|
|
Qatar Airways |
1 piece ≤50×37×25 cm |
7 kg |
Yes |
|
|
Cathay Pacific |
1 piece ≤56×36×23 cm |
7 kg |
+ 1 small item |
|
|
Japan Airlines (JAL) |
Up to 115 cm total; 55×40×25 cm box |
Up to 10 kg total (bag + personal) |
Yes (within 10 kg total) |
|
|
ANA |
Up to 115 cm total; 55×40×25 cm |
Up to 10 kg |
Yes |
|
|
Air New Zealand |
1 piece ≤55×40×23 cm (118 cm total) |
7 kg |
+ 1 small item |
|
|
United Airlines |
1 carry-on ≤56×35×22 cm |
No published weight limit on AU routes |
+ 1 personal item |
|
|
Delta Air Lines |
1 carry-on ≤56×35×23 cm |
No published weight limit on AU routes |
+ 1 personal item |
|
|
Fiji Airways |
1 piece ≤55×40×23 cm (118 cm total) |
7 kg |
+ 1 small item |
|
|
Scoot |
Economy: up to 2 pieces (one main ≤ 54×38×23 cm) |
10 kg total (Economy) |
Yes (within total) |
https://www.flyscoot.com/en/fly-scoot/baggage/cabin-baggage (check latest by fare/cabin) |
|
AirAsia (incl. X) |
1 main ≤56×36×23 cm + 1 small ≤40×30×10 cm |
7 kg total (14 kg with “Xtra Carry-On” where offered) |
Yes (included in total) |
https://support.airasia.com/s/article/How-much-cabin-baggage-can-I-bring-on-board (choose AU language/site) |
Notes & tips
-
Size reality: If your case is exactly 56×36×23 cm, you’ll fit almost all templates above. Carriers with 115 cm/118 cm linear rules (e.g., Singapore Airlines, ANA, Air New Zealand) effectively translate to 55×40×20–23 cm.
-
Depth is the gotcha: Many “55 cm” cabins blow out past 23 cm once packed. Keep expanders zipped for departure.
-
Weight caps vary: Asia-Pacific full-service carriers commonly set 7 kg; Japan majors allow up to 10 kg; Middle-East majors (e.g., Emirates, Qatar) specify 7 kg in Economy.
-
U.S. carriers (United/Delta) publish dims but generally no weight limit ex-AU; the gate agent still must be able to lift it safely.
-
Virgin Australia (international) now mirrors its domestic change from 2 Feb 2026: 1×8 kg overhead in Economy + 1 personal item.
Important disclaimer
Airline policies change regularly. Always check the allowance shown on your booking and the carrier’s official site before you travel; rules can differ by fare, route, aircraft and status.
International Checked-Baggage Guide (ex-Australia, 2026)
Rule of thumb (most airlines): each checked bag must be ≤ 158 cm linear (L+W+H) and ≤ 32 kg per piece.
Allowances at a glance (Economy unless noted)
|
Airline |
Standard size (max) |
Economy allowance (typical) |
Higher tiers / premium |
Official policy link |
|
Qantas |
158 cm linear; 32 kg max per piece |
Varies by route: many international routes use weight or piece concepts; Americas routes are piece-based. Check your ticket for exact allowance. |
Premium cabins and frequent-flyer status increase pieces/weight on many routes. |
|
|
Virgin Australia (short-haul international) |
158 cm linear; 32 kg max per piece |
By fare: Lite = none, most other Economy fares include 1 × 23 kg; overweight fee applies 23–32 kg. |
Status tiers (Silver/Gold/Platinum) add extra 23 kg pieces. |
|
|
Jetstar (international) |
Oversize handling if any side >1 m; 32 kg max per item |
No checked bag included on Starter; purchase 20–40 kg as needed. |
Bundles/fare upgrades add checked baggage. |
|
|
Singapore Airlines |
158 cm linear per piece; 32 kg max |
Weight concept (ex-USA/Canada): Economy 25–30 kg depending on fare type; to/from USA/Canada = 2 × 23 kg. |
Premium cabins and PPS/KrisFlyer status add extra weight/pieces. |
|
|
Emirates |
158 cm linear per piece |
Economy: 1 × 23 kg (Special) or 2 × 23 kg (Saver/Flex/Flex Plus) depending on fare brand; Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg. |
Business/First: 2 × 32 kg. |
|
|
Qatar Airways |
158 cm linear per piece (piece concept to/from Americas) or weight concept elsewhere |
To/from Americas: usually 2 × 23 kg in Economy. All other destinations: weight concept 20–35 kg by fare brand. |
Higher fares (Comfort) and premium cabins increase allowance. |
|
|
Cathay Pacific |
158 cm linear per piece |
Allowance varies by route & fare (piece vs weight). Use Cathay’s calculator or check e-ticket. |
Status/cabin increase allowance. |
|
|
Japan Airlines (JAL) |
158 cm linear; per-piece limit applies |
Most long-haul Economy itineraries show 2 × 23 kg pieces. |
Premium cabins permit 2 × 32 kg; elites may get extra pieces. |
|
|
ANA (All Nippon Airways) |
158 cm linear; 23 kg per piece in Economy |
Economy typically 2 × 23 kg on many intercontinental routes; check your ticket for route-specific rules. |
Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business/First 2 × 32 kg. |
|
|
Air New Zealand |
158 cm linear; 23 kg max per piece |
International Economy fares commonly include 1 × 23 kg (some routes allow 2 × 23 kg); check your booking. |
Premium Economy 2 bags; Business 3 bags. |
|
|
United Airlines |
158 cm linear; 23 kg per piece |
Trans-Pacific Economy itineraries usually include 1 × 23 kg; fees vary by route/ticket. Use UA’s fee calculator. |
Premium cabins 32 kg per piece; status can add pieces. |
|
|
Delta Air Lines |
157–158 cm linear (62 in); 23 kg per piece |
International Economy typically includes 1 × 23 kg; domestic US segments usually charge. Check your itinerary. |
Premium cabins 32 kg per piece. |
|
|
Fiji Airways |
158 cm linear |
Economy long-haul allowance 30 kg (weight concept) per recent update; some fares/routes differ—confirm on your booking. |
Higher cabins/tier add allowance. |
|
|
Scoot (low-cost) |
158 cm linear; ≤32 kg per item |
No checked bag by default on many fares; buy 20 kg/30 kg (and up to 40 kg total) online. |
ScootPlus includes higher allowance; interline tickets may differ. |
|
|
AirAsia / AirAsia X (low-cost) |
158 cm linear; ≤32 kg per item |
No checked bag included on most fares; purchase 15–60 kg tiers (per sector). |
Sports items & special tiers have separate fees. |
Reading this table: Where policies say “varies,” that’s because airlines apply different rules by route and fare brand (e.g., weight concept across most of Asia/Europe; piece concept to/from the Americas). Your e-ticket and the airline’s calculator are the source of truth.
Fast packing tips (to avoid excess fees)
-
Weigh at home: aim to pack to 22–22.5 kg for a 23 kg limit (gives buffer for airport scales).
-
If in Doubt use a medium suitcase (≈ 69–75 cm tall; typically under 158 cm linear) to stay inside size rules.
-
Distribute heavy items across two bags when your ticket includes 2 × 23 kg—don’t put 30+ kg in one case (most airlines hard-cap 32 kg per piece).
Important disclaimer
Airline baggage policies change regularly. Always check the allowance shown on your booking and the airline’s official site before you travel; rules can differ by fare, route, aircraft and status.
