Musical equipment

Musical instruments as carry-on baggage

Small musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage provided they meet the following criteria:

• maximum weight of 7kg,

• total dimensions don't exceed:

  • 142cm (85cm + 34cm + 23cm) on Boeing and Airbus aircraft, or
  • 105cm (48cm + 34cm + 23cm) on Dash 8 aircraft, and

• can be placed in the overhead locker.

The instrument will count as part of your carry-on allowance.

Please measure your instrument before arriving at the airport. Small instruments like violins usually fit within the allowance, but larger ones like guitars do not and must be checked in. Alternatively, you can buy an extra seat for bulky items like a cello.

Increased checked baggage allowance for affiliated musical associations

Members of affiliated musical associations may request an additional baggage allowance when travelling on an Australian domestic Qantas or QantasLink flight (excluding Lord Howe Island flights).

Eligible members will receive a total complimentary checked baggage allowance of three pieces.

The number of pieces don't change, however the maximum weight of each piece will vary depending on your class of travel and Frequent Flyer status.

When travelling in:

Economy
Non-members and Bronze Frequent Flyers will have a total allowance of three pieces up to 23kg each.

Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members will have a total allowance of three pieces up to 32kg each.

Business
All customers will have a total allowance of three pieces up to 32kg each.

Affiliated musical associations

• Association of Artist Managers (AAM)

• Australia Chamber Orchestra (ACO)

• Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR)

• Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA)

• Australian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS)

• Australian Music Association

• Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) including member organisations

  • Queensland Music Network (ARIN)

  • Contemporary Music Services Tasmania (ARIN)

  • MusicNSW (ARIN)

  • MusicNT (ARIN)

  • Music Victoria (ARIN)

  • MusicSA (ARIN)

  • MusicACT

  • Western Australian Music Industry Association

• Band Associations of NSW, QLD, SA, Australia

• Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)

• Folk Alliance Australia (FAA)

• Live Performance Australia (LPA)

• MEAA Symphony Orchestra Musicians Association (SOMA)

• Musicians Union of Australia (MUA)

• Opera Australia (OA).

Pre-purchase additional baggage

Up to two pieces of baggage can be pre-purchased online in addition to the musical baggage allowance. This brings the total maximum number of checked baggage pieces to five pieces of checked baggage per customer.

If you booked through a travel agent, please request this additional allowance prior to travel via your booking provider. Musical baggage requests made directly to Qantas for travel agent bookings will not be processed.

All requests must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance. Late requests will not be approved, and standard airport excess baggage fees will apply.

To be eligible for the increased checked baggage allowance you must:

• have booked directly via qantas.com or Qantas app,

• be travelling on an Australian domestic flight operated by Qantas or QantasLink (excluding Lord Howe Island flights),

• be travelling with a musical instrument, and

• be a current member of an affiliated musical association.

Submitting a request for additional checked baggage allowance

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, email your request with the following information at least 72 hours prior to travel:

• Qantas booking reference

• Musical association name

• Member number

• Type of instrument or equipment.

When approved, the increased allowance applies to all eligible Australian domestic flights in the booking reference provided.