Qantas has overhauled its checked baggage policy on international flights in a move that will benefit premium and frequent flyer passengers.
Under the change, which applies to tickets issued after May 2, Qantas will shift from a weight-based to a piece-based system. That will result in less flexibility for some passengers, with the economy class allowance for flights to Europe and Asia shifting from a total weight of 23kg to a single bag weighing up to 23kg.
Qantas said 70 per cent of international economy passenger travelled with a single checked bag last year.
The change brings Qantas into line with alliance partners British Airways and American Airlines and also mirrors a similar shift by Virgin Australia last month.
Details on the policy are available on Qantas’ website. Among the key changes:
For flights to/from the Americas:
- The baggage allowance for business and first class passengers increases from two to three pieces weighing up to 32kg each,
- For economy and premium economy, the allowance remains two pieces of up to 23kg each.
For flights to/from all other destinations:
- The economy allowance goes from a total weight of 23kg to a single piece of up to 23kg, while premium economy goes from a total of 23kg to two piece of up to 23kg each,
- The business class allowance shifts from a total weight of 32kg to two pieces of up to 23kg each,
- The first class allowance goes from a total weigh of 40kg to three pieces of up to 32kg each,
- Frequent flyer members generally receive a more generous allowance but also shift from a weight-based to piece-based system.
