Home › Compare › Qantas vs Virgin Australia
Qantas vs Virgin Australia Baggage Allowance
Cabin bag size, checked allowance and excess fees for Qantas and Virgin Australia side by side — both from the airlines' official policies, checked 30 October 2026.
Qantas
- Cabin bag: International: Economy 1 piece, max 7kg per piece, total dimensions max 115cm (185cm for a non-rigid garment bag). Premium Economy/Business/First: 2 pieces, max 7kg per piece, max 115cm each (or 1 piece + 1 garment bag at 185cm). Domestic (non-Dash 8): 2 pieces, max 7kg per piece. Dash 8: 1 piece, max 105cm total, max 7kg
- Cabin weight: 7.0 kg
- Checked (Economy - Australian domestic): 1 piece, up to 23kg
- Prepaid vs airport: Official page states the airport rate differs from the pre-purchased rate and may be more than pre-purchasing online; additional baggage can be bought up to 3 hours before departure if not yet checked in.
Virgin Australia
- Cabin bag: For travel from 2 Feb 2026: Economy 1 bag only, up to 8kg, max 56 x 36 x 23cm, plus a personal item. Economy X, Business and selected Velocity members: up to 2 bags, 14kg combined, no single bag over 8kg, max 56 x 36 x 23cm, plus a personal item
- Personal item: 1 personal item (e.g. purse, handbag, laptop bag, camera bag, small backpack) placed under the seat in front; max 45 x 33 x 20cm under the from-2-Feb-2026 rules
- Cabin weight: 8.0 kg
- Checked (Economy Lite): No checked baggage included; available to purchase for an additional cost
The short verdict
Cabin weight: Virgin Australia allows more cabin weight (8.0 kg vs 7.0 kg).
Both airlines count baggage differently across fares, so compare the checked tables before you book the cheaper ticket: a fare with no bag included can end up costing more.
Qantas checked baggage by fare
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Economy - Australian domestic | 1 piece, up to 23kg |
| Economy - North/South America | 1 piece, up to 32kg |
| Economy - rest of world | Up to 30kg total (weight concept) |
| Premium Economy - Australian domestic | 2 pieces, up to 23kg each |
| Premium Economy - North/South America | 2 pieces, up to 32kg each |
| Premium Economy - rest of world | Up to 40kg total, no piece over 32kg |
| Business - Australian domestic / Americas | 2 pieces, up to 32kg each |
| Business - rest of world | Up to 40kg total, no piece over 32kg |
| First - North/South America | 3 pieces, up to 32kg each |
| First - rest of world | Up to 50kg total, no piece over 32kg |
Piece concept for Australian domestic and Americas flights; weight concept for international flights outside the Americas (no piece limit within the weight allowance). No single piece may exceed 32kg. Max total dimensions: 140cm domestic, 158cm international per piece. Higher allowances apply for Qantas Club / Frequent Flyer Silver and above.
Virgin Australia checked baggage by fare
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Economy Lite | No checked baggage included; available to purchase for an additional cost |
| Economy Choice | 1 x 23kg (Silver/Gold Velocity: 2 x 23kg; Platinum: 3 x 23kg) |
| Economy Flex | 1 x 23kg (higher Velocity tiers get additional 23kg pieces, as for Choice) |
| Business | 2 x 32kg (Platinum Velocity: 3 x 32kg) |
Piece concept by fare type, per Virgin Australia's official Sydney destination page fare table and baggage FAQ. Checked figures shown are for the base (non-member/Red Velocity) allowance.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.