Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin Carry-On Limits 2026

The short answer: all three Australian airlines use the same overhead-bag footprint — 56 × 36 × 23 cm, measured with wheels and handles included. What differs is the weight and how many pieces you can take. A packed cabin bag that stays inside 56 × 36 × 23 cm and 7 kg all up meets the strictest current economy rule on all three.

Qantas measures a bag’s height, width and depth including wheels and packed-away handles. Its published bag sizes are:

• Overhead bag (e.g. a small wheelie bag): 56 cm high × 36 cm wide × 23 cm deep.
• Underseat bag (e.g. a small duffle, backpack or large handbag): 34 cm high × 48 cm wide × 23 cm deep.
• Personal item: one small item under the seat, such as a cross-body bag, small handbag or a laptop in a slim bag.

Domestic Economy and Business allow one overhead bag, one underseat bag and one personal item — 14 kg in total, with no single item over 10 kg. International Economy is tighter: one overhead bag and one personal item, 7 kg maximum. International First, Business and Premium Economy get the 14 kg / 10 kg-per-item allowance.

For Jetstar Airways flights departing before 2 February 2027, the allowance is one main item up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm plus one small item such as a handbag or laptop, with a combined 7 kg limit across both.

Jetstar announced on 5 August 2026 that it is replacing the 7 kg weight limit with a size-based model:

• Every booking includes one underseat bag up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm — a backpack, handbag or laptop bag.
• Priority Carry-on (bought separately, limited availability) adds a second, larger bag for the overhead locker, up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus early boarding. Jetstar quotes it from $25 one way on selected flights.
• Jetstar says it will no longer routinely weigh cabin bags, but asks that no single bag is heavier than 10 kg, so you can lift it yourself.
• Bookings made before 5 August 2026 for travel from 2 February 2027 are upgraded to Priority Carry-on at no extra cost.

Checked baggage isn’t changing, and Jetstar Japan flights aren’t affected.

Economy (including Velocity Red and Silver members): one standard bag up to L56 × W36 × H23 cm and 8 kg, plus one personal item up to L45 × W33 × H20 cm that fits under the seat — a handbag, laptop or camera bag, or a small backpack.

Business, Economy X and Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus: up to 14 kg combined, with no single item over 8 kg. That can be one standard bag, two small bags (each up to L48 × W34 × H23 cm), or one standard bag plus a suit pack — plus the personal item.

Flights operated by Alliance Airlines or Link Airways on Virgin’s behalf get the Economy allowance whatever your cabin or status.

Cabin cases are usually marketed by their height — “55 cm”, “Spinner S” or “Carry-on 20-inch” — but the airline checks all three dimensions. Some cases are made to a European 55 × 40 × 20 cm format (you’ll see it in listing titles), and 40 cm is wider than the 36 cm Australian limit. Before you buy, compare the listed external dimensions including wheels against 56 × 36 × 23 cm, not just the headline height.

Qantas includes checked baggage on Economy fares — one piece up to 23 kg on Australian domestic flights (exceptions apply on Dash 8 services and some island routes). Each piece’s height + width + depth must not exceed 140 cm on domestic flights or 158 cm on international flights, and no single piece can weigh more than 32 kg. On Jetstar checked baggage is bought separately, up to 40 kg per passenger. Virgin’s checked allowance depends on your fare — check it in Manage Booking.

If you’re still deciding between a wheeled case and a backpack, our spinner vs underseat bag guide compares the two formats. Below are cabin-size cases and underseat bags from Samsonite and American Tourister — check each listing’s stated dimensions against your airline before you buy.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all publish the same overhead-bag maximum: 56 × 36 × 23 cm, including wheels and handles.

Both, depending on the flight. Domestic Economy is 14 kg in total with no item over 10 kg; international Economy is 7 kg maximum.

Yes, for flights departing before 2 February 2027. From that date Jetstar moves to a size-based model with an included underseat bag and optional Priority Carry-on.

In Economy, 8 kg for your overhead bag, plus a personal item. Business, Economy X and Velocity Gold and above can take up to 14 kg combined, with no single item over 8 kg.