Carry-On Luggage Rules for Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar

The question that one has every time they go on a flight is that one will wonder whether or not their carry-on bag will be passed by the airline. Our requirement varies slightly with each airline in Australia, where most of us fly on Qantas, Virgin Australia or Jetstar. Though there are no huge differences, they can break a hassle-free stay and cause unwanted bills.

This was a breakdown of the luggage carry-on regulations in these three giant airlines, what you can carry, what you cannot carry, as well as advice that can guide you in avoiding a shock at the gate.

Why Carry-On Rules Matter

Airlines have never been as strict as in terms of size and weight. Cabin space is limited because flights are often full. When your bag is too large or too heavy, you may be requested to check it in - and that can make you wait or incur additional charges. Travelling without the need to worry and being aware of the rules makes it easier before you pack.

Carry-On Rules for Qantas

Qantas is Australia’s largest airline, and it offers some flexibility when it comes to carry-on.

• Standard allowance: One main bag plus one small personal item (like a handbag or laptop).

• Weight limit: The total weight of your cabin baggage can be up to 7 kg for Economy. Business Class passengers may have a little more flexibility.

• Size limit: Bags must fit in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you. For most Qantas flights, the maximum carry-on bag size is around 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm.
  

Tip for Qantas flyers: Qantas often checks carry-on bag weights at the gate. Make sure your bag isn’t sneaky-heavy—even if it looks compact. Keeping essentials like a laptop or charger in a slim personal item helps balance weight across your allowance.

Carry-On Rules for Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia is another popular choice for both domestic and international travel, and its carry-on rules are similar but not identical to Qantas's.

• Standard allowance: One main carry-on bag and one personal item.

• Weight limit: Up to 7 kg total for Economy passengers. Some Business Class or Velocity Frequent Flyer members may get an additional allowance.

• Size limit: Bags must be no larger than approximately 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm to fit in the overhead locker.
  

Tip for Virgin travellers: Virgin tends to be more lenient than some low-cost carriers, but weight checks still happen. Their cabin crew may also ask you to gate-check your bag if the flight is full, especially on smaller aircraft. Keep valuables and essentials in your personal item so you’re not separated from them.

Carry-On Rules for Jetstar

Jetstar is a low-cost airline, and they are a stickler when it comes to carry-on luggage in order to lower costs and maintain on-time flights.

• Standard allowance: One main carry-on bag plus one small item (like a handbag or laptop).

• Weight limit: Only 7 kg total across both bags for Economy.

• Size restriction: The Main bag should fit into a sizing box, and generally needs to have a size of 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm.

Tip Jetstar flyer: Jetstar has a reputation for weighing bags quite minutely, including at the gate. When your bag weighs more than the maximum, there is a high chance that you will have to pay a fee and check in. Jetstar has a Plus or Max bundle in which you can buy additional carry-on baggage (up to 14 kg), and no individual bag may qualify as more than 10 kg.

Comparing the Three Airlines

While the numbers are similar—7 kg weight limit and roughly 56 cm bag size—how strictly the rules are enforced can differ.

• Qantas: Flexible but weight-checked often.

• Virgin Australia: Similar to Qantas, with occasional checks.

• Jetstar: The strictest; expect weigh-ins and possible extra charges.

Knowing these small differences can save you stress when flying. If you’re a frequent budget traveller with Jetstar, investing in an ultra-light carry-on bag is often worth it.

What Counts as a Personal Item?

Across Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar, personal items usually include:

• Handbags

• Laptops or slim laptop bags

• Small backpacks

• Camera bags

• Duty-free purchases
  

Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. They can’t be used as an excuse to sneak in another 7 kg suitcase.

Tips to Stay Within Carry-On Limits

1. Choose lightweight luggage
   Others have weights of 4-5 kg when empty and can pack little. More packed without violating airline weight limits: Lightweight brands such as the Koora Expandable Carry-On (recycled materials) offer a little more packing space.

2. Pack smart
   Roll clothes rather than folding them, and use the heaviest of shoes or jackets on the plane. Keep small accessories in zip pouches in order to be organised.
   

3. Weigh your bag at home
   Use a digital luggage scale to check your bag before leaving for the airport. It’s better to shuffle weight around at home than pay fees at the gate.
   

4. Use your personal item wisely
   Keep some of the things that are heavier, such as laptops, chargers and books, in your personal item to make your main bag lighter.
   

5. Know when to upgrade
   When you frequently fly Jetstar and are overly restricted by the 7 kg allowance, it might be worth paying more to get the additional carry-on or to check a bag.
   

Why Sustainable Bags Like Koora Make Sense

Travellers are increasingly becoming aware of not only the way they travel, but the what they carry with them. And there are brands such as Koora Shine.

The luggage manufactured by Koora is recyclable, strong and constructed to sustain the harsh conditions of airports. Their carry-on bags are light, fashionable, and airline-friendly, thus leaving you with additional space on that limited 7 kg weight. And, they are greener-friendly, too--that way, you are not only travelling with a lighter load, you are travelling in a green direction at the same time.

In the case of Qantas, Virgin or Jetstar flyers, the smart compartments, smooth wheels and robust shells of Koora make it easier to move through airports and remain within the confines of airline regulations.

Final Thoughts

Carry-on regulations might seem fully oppressive, but they exist to make flights run well and cabins safe. Here's the quick takeaway:

• The baggage and personal item allowance in both flights differ, and both Virgin Australia and Qantas permit one bag and one personal item with a limit of 7 kg in the Economy.

• Jetstar is the most restrictive, as it has the same 7 kg limit; however, it is enforced strictly.

The correct luggage is everything. A bag with a lightweight and durable design, like the Koora, is an example of a bag that may help you avoid stressful situations since you will not be over the limit.

The second thing you need to remember the next time you are packing a bag to go on a flight is: read the regulations, weigh your bag, and choose the luggage that fits you well, and does not act against you. A carry-on travel would be smooth and stylish, and hassle-free through proper planning.