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Qantas

Australia's flag carrier, the "Flying Kangaroo"

  • AustraliaCountry
  • QFIATA Code
  • QFAICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Qantas

Qantas is Australia’s flag carrier and a founding member of oneworld, flying from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth across Australia and to Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and Europe. Domestic flights allow up to 14 kg of carry-on, but international Economy allows only 7 kg. This guide covers baggage by route, carry-on rules, the power bank ban, Frequent Flyer and how Qantas compares with Singapore Airlines and Emirates.

Qantas was founded in 1920 in outback Queensland; its name comes from Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. It is a founding member of oneworld, owns the low-cost airline Jetstar and has a long partnership with Emirates.

Qantas flights to Sydney
Photo: Caleb Russell / Unsplash

Power Bank Rules on Qantas and Jetstar

Since 15 December 2025, the Qantas Group applies these rules on Qantas and Jetstar flights:

  • Up to two power banks per person, in cabin baggage only, each no more than 160 Wh with the rating visible.
  • No using or charging power banks on board, including from in-seat power or USB ports.
  • Keep them with you, in the seat pocket or under the seat in front.
  • Smart bags must have their battery removed and carried in the cabin.

Check-In and Connections

Online check-in is available on the website and app, and domestic travellers at major airports can use self-service kiosks and bag drops.

Allow at least three hours for international departures. In Sydney and Melbourne, domestic and international terminals are separate, so plan extra time if you connect between them.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Families can add children to one booking, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap, with bassinets on long-haul flights.

Special assistance should be requested before travel. Pets travel in the hold, and assistance dogs can travel in the cabin.

How to Find Cheap Qantas Flights

Cheap Qantas flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Jetstar: for short leisure trips, Jetstar is often cheaper if you travel light.
  • Watch domestic sales: Qantas runs frequent sales on Australian routes.
  • Avoid peaks: Christmas, Easter and school holidays push fares up.
  • Use Classic Rewards: points go furthest on Qantas and partner reward seats.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Qantas next to Singapore Airlines, Emirates and others.

Qantas vs Singapore Airlines vs Emirates

All three carry large numbers of travellers between Australia, Asia and Europe.

QantasSingapore AirlinesEmirates
HubSydney, Melbourne, PerthSingapore ChangiDubai
AllianceoneworldStar AllianceNone (Qantas partner)
Economy carry-on (international)7 kg7 kg7 kg
Power banks2, no use on board2, no use on boardNo use on board
Best forAustralia, nonstop Perth–EuropeSoutheast Asia connectionsEurope via Dubai

See our Singapore Airlines guide and Emirates guide to compare.

Arriving in Sydney

Sydney Airport is about 8 km south of the city centre. The Airport Link train reaches Central station in about 15 minutes.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Qantas a Good Airline?

Yes. Qantas has reliable service, generous domestic carry-on and checked baggage, a big network and strong partners. Remember the stricter 7 kg carry-on limit on international flights and the ban on using power banks on board.

For more options, see our Air New Zealand guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the Qantas power bank update and published Qantas baggage rules. Rules change, so check the official Qantas website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

The airline is a founding member of oneworld (1999). You can connect onto partners such as American, British Airways, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific on one ticket and earn Qantas Points across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Qantas partners with Emirates on many routes, runs a trans-Pacific joint business with American Airlines, and works with its group airlines Jetstar and QantasLink.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Sydney (SYD) is the main hub, with further hubs in Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE) and Perth (PER), the base for nonstop flights to London and Paris.

Popular Qantas Routes

The busiest routes link Sydney with Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Melbourne with Brisbane, and fly to Auckland, Singapore and Los Angeles, plus Perth to London. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Qantas Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

The airline sells Economy in several fare types, from the cheapest Sale fares with the strictest rules to Flex fares with free changes, plus Premium Economy, Business and First. The conditions for your ticket are shown when you book.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. For flights to or from the USA, the US 24-hour cancellation rule applies.

  • Sale and Saver fares Lowest prices and the strictest rules.
  • Flex fares Free changes (fare difference applies) and more flexibility.
  • Premium Economy, Business and First More flexible conditions.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on qantas.com or the Qantas app.

Qantas Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose a seat when booking on most fares. On domestic flights, it includes meals, drinks and free Wi-Fi on many aircraft. On long-haul flights, it offers Premium Economy, lie-flat Business Class and First Class on the A380.

Qantas Lounges and Qantas Club are open to premium passengers, elites and paid members.

  • Seat selection Included on most fares.
  • Domestic flights Meals, drinks and free Wi-Fi on many aircraft.
  • Premium Economy On long-haul flights.
  • Business Class Lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft.
  • First Class On the A380.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Qantas Baggage Allowance

On domestic flights, Economy and Business passengers can bring two bags with a combined 14 kg (one up to 10 kg), or one larger bag, plus a personal item. On international flights, Economy allows one bag of up to 7 kg and 115 cm in total plus a personal item, while Premium Economy, Business and First allow up to 14 kg across two bags. Dash 8 regional flights allow one item of up to 7 kg. If you connect from a domestic to an international flight, pack to the stricter 7 kg limit.

A checked bag is included on almost every fare. Domestic Economy includes one 23 kg bag. On international flights outside the Americas, Economy includes 30 kg in total, Premium Economy and Business 40 kg and First 50 kg; to and from the Americas, Economy includes one 32 kg bag and Premium Economy and Business two. No single bag may weigh more than 32 kg.

  • Domestic carry-on 2 bags, 14 kg combined (one up to 10 kg), plus a personal item.
  • International Economy carry-on 1 bag up to 7 kg and 115 cm, plus a personal item.
  • International premium cabins carry-on Up to 14 kg across two bags.
  • Domestic Economy checked 1 × 23 kg.
  • International Economy (not the Americas) 30 kg total.
  • International Premium Economy and Business (not the Americas): 40 kg total; First 50 kg.
  • To and from the Americas Economy 1 × 32 kg; Premium Economy and Business 2 × 32 kg; First 3 × 32 kg.
  • Maximum per bag 32 kg.

Qantas Frequent Flyer: Qantas Loyalty Programme

Qantas Frequent Flyer is the airline's loyalty programme. You earn Qantas Points on its own, Jetstar, oneworld and partner flights and with many everyday partners, and redeem them for Classic Reward flights, upgrades and more.

Status Credits decide your tier: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, recognised as oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

  • Bronze Entry tier for members.
  • Silver Priority services and oneworld Ruby status.
  • Gold Lounge access and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Platinum The highest benefits and oneworld Emerald status.
  • Classic Rewards Award flights for Qantas Points.
  • oneworld Earn and redeem across oneworld airlines.
Join or log in on the Qantas website

Qantas: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Qantas’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is QF. It appears in flight numbers (for example QF 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is QFA, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Qantas part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Qantas headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

04When was Qantas founded?

The airline was founded in 1920.

05What are Qantas’ main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Sydney (SYD) – Main Hub.

06What is Qantas’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Qantas Frequent Flyer. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is Qantas' carry-on allowance?

On domestic flights, two bags with a combined 14 kg (one up to 10 kg) plus a personal item. On international flights, Economy allows one bag of up to 7 kg plus a personal item.

08How much checked baggage does Qantas international Economy include?

30 kg in total on most international routes, or one 32 kg bag on flights to and from the Americas.

09Does Qantas Economy include a checked bag on domestic flights?

Yes. Domestic Economy includes one 23 kg checked bag on almost every fare.

10Does Qantas fly nonstop from Australia to London?

Yes. Qantas flies nonstop between Perth and London.

Qantas, its logo and trademarks are the property of Qantas Airways Limited and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Qantas unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.