Australian airlines set for new hand luggage restrictions

A crackdown on carry-on baggage is set to begin as airlines take a united approach to what passengers can take on board.

Airline customers can expect to have their carry-on luggage weighed at check-in or the boarding gate.

A crackdown on carry-on baggage will begin in earnest in the next week, as Australian airlines take a united approach to what passengers take on board in the interests of safety and on-time performance.

Virgin Australia said it would join Qantas in weighing carry-on baggage to ensure it complies with the 7kg limit.

A spokeswoman said it was not a new policy, rather a reinforcement of the existing baggage limit.

Virgin Australia general manager for ground operations Paul Woosnam said oversized and heavy baggage was causing injuries to cabin crew, as they struggled to close overhead lockers.

“Some of these injuries can be quite significant and may result in the crew member being unable to work for a period of time,” Mr Woosnam said.

“This is preventable if all passengers adhered to the baggage limits and guidelines, and from the customers we’ve spoken to, we know they’re in favour of our renewed focus on cabin baggage.

“We also want to get our passengers away to their destination on time, and more and more we’re seeing flights being delayed due to cabin baggage issues.”

Passengers with carry-on luggage weighing more than 7kg will have their bags checked in.

From tomorrow Virgin Australia customers can expect to have carry-on weighed at check in or the boarding gate to ensure compliance, with overweight bags required to be checked in.

Qantas announced its own crackdown from December 17, following feedback from regular flyers about the need for a reminder about how much luggage could be taken onboard.

A Qantas spokesman said the airline offered the most generous amount of cabin baggage of any Australian airline, permitting customers to take on two pieces weighing up to 7kg each.

In order to ensure those limits were being observed, customer service officers would be weighing carry-on before travellers went through security, he said.

Those with bags in excess of 7kg would have their luggage checked in.

“Ensuring that allowances are being followed will help reduce delays during the boarding process and ensure an on time departure,” the spokesman said.

“Cabin bins that are too full, or bags that are too heavy can cause a safety risk for both customers and crew.”

Jetstar and Tigerair have long taken a no tolerance approach to carry-on, strictly enforcing 7kg limits for passengers, unless they had paid extra to “upsize” their carry-on.

Those passengers who tried to carry on in excess of 7kg faced additional charges of $60 at the gate with Jetstar and $75 for Tigerair.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said they were fully supportive of airlines in their carry on crack down, even though CASA did not regulate the weight of carry on.

Airlines hand luggage allowances

Qantas - permits two pieces of carry on weighing up to 7kg each. A total of 14kg but this can’t be distributed as 10kg for one piece and 4kg for the other for example.

Carry on will be weighed in the check in area or before security, so overweight items can be easily checked in.

Virgin Australia - permits two pieces of carry on weighing a total of 7kg.

Carry on will be weighed at various points of the airport journey including at check in, and the boarding gate, with overweight items required to be checked in.

Jetstar - permits two pieces of carry on weighing a total of 7kg

Customers can pay from $13 for an extra 3kg of carry on at the time of booking. If not, they face a charge of $60 at the gate for excess carry on.

Tigerair - permits two pieces of carry on weighing a total of 7kg

Customers can pay extra for up to an additional 5kg (12kg in total) of carry on. Cost depends when this is purchased.

Carry on exceeding 7kg at the gate, will have to be checked in at a cost of $75.