Luggage - Australia Domestic

[thegeekinasuit]

How does everyone deal with Virgin/Qantas restriction on carry-on luggage? I'd like to start travelling with only carry-on however the most of the cabin luggage I have seen are around the IATA 55cm size.

 

[opusman]

Pack light.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

From what I've observed of many travellers - by blatantly flaunting them ?

But seriously, a 115 cm 2 wheeler is usually enough for me for several days of leisure or if 1 suit is enough and I wear it on the plane.

If I need more than 1 suit or don't want to wear it on the plane, I take a soft garment bag and am prepared to check the rollie bag if asked (I never am).

If I just need more room, instead of a garment bag I'll take an overnight bag, again, prepared to check the rollie if necessary, but it never is.

 

[thegeekinasuit]

Sorry guys, realised I wasn't very clear. What I meant is I thought I would need to meet Virgin/Australia's requirements which is a maximum of 48cm in height, however most the carry-ons I find are 55cm/56cm. For example, VA states 48cm x 34cm x 23cm. Would they not care that the height of my carry-on will exceed their 48cm spec?

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Oh right.

VA's website is oddly specific about length, height and depth, but it's usually the "total linear dimensions" that are used as a limit (add the measurements together), in VA's case, 2x 105 cm. QF allow 2x 105cm or 1 x 115cm.

Most 55 cm high carry-ons will actually be ~115 cm so technically outside of VA's guidelines, but as I said above, you will almost always get away with it, but I suppose you have to be prepared to check it if you're very unlucky.

If you want to be absolutely safe on VA, you would need want to get a 105 cm case, for example, this one is 50 x 33 x 22 which wouldn't be a problem even though it's height is greater than 48cm:

https://theluggageprofessionals.com.au/samsonite-b-lite-3-spl-50cm-cabin-spinner-suitcase.html

 

[thegeekinasuit]

Thanks BillytheFIsh

 

[Radio8tiv]

I only travel light with HLO and have never had a problem with sizing, I use a backpack and have found it very comfortable and very easy to get around through various modes of transport, I initially got the idea just from watching The Amazing Race, I also found the backpack to be lightweight empty so you can pack more in. The one I have used on my last few trips including a month around Europe....twice, and a few weeks in Japan is a Kathmandu one
Voltai 40L Backpack v2 - Black
I do however only travel for holidays and not work so don't need to pack a suit or extra pairs of shoes and alike.
only time I had a slight problem trying to fit it in the overhead bins was on a CNS-TSV flight with a DASH8 but being that it is soft I managed to compress it enough to fit

 

[Cynicor]

To be honest, in business I just ignore the limits. There is plenty of overhead space in J PER-SYD on both carriers, so i bring my international roll-aboard and often a small backpack/duffel type thing. Wouldn't do it in Y as I'd be taking more than my fair share.

 

[anat0l]

I tend to somewhat ignore the limits. I say, if it looks light and of the right size, it is. Pack it up and make it look really heavy - you'll stand out and get pulled aside for a test.

It would be slightly sadistic (though not necessarily outside of their powers or rights) for either carrier to make everyone do the frame and scale test to see if their cabin bag is permissible.

I think the total dimensions are usually more important than the lengths of the sides, unless you have a really tall, thin item. You also want to avoid bringing something on board which won't fit in a standard overhead locker wheels-in (i.e. the width of the bag is parallel to the length of the plane), unless it is a garment bag or you're prepared to put it under your seat instead.

You tend to get away with more in Business class compared to Economy, and similarly First class on international flights.