When flying with Qatar Airways all passengers get a free cabin baggage allowance and a relatively generous check-in baggage allowance.
However, Qatar Airways’ check-in baggage allowance rules are quite complicated, and the amount of check-in baggage you can take with you varies by route and your class of travel. There are also variations in the check-in baggage allowance by fare type for economy class passengers.
The other key feature of Qatar Airways’ baggage policy you should take note of is the fee structure for any baggage you wish to take in addition to the free allowance – the charges are relatively high.
So, when flying with Qatar Airways, my top tips are as follows:
- Familiarize yourself with your particular cabin and check-in baggage allowances as these will depend on your route, class of travel, and possibly your fare type
- Try to avoid taking check-in baggage that exceeds your free allowance as this will turn out to be a costly affair
- If you really do need more check-in baggage than the free allowance permits, make sure you buy that online before you travel, or arrange another method of carriage
Qatar Airways Cabin Baggage Allowance
When flying with Qatar Airways your cabin baggage allowance depends on your class of travel:
- First Class and Business Class passengers – two items of carry-on baggage, with a combined weight not to exceed 15kg (33lb)
- Economy Class passengers – one item of carry-on baggage, weighing up to 7kg (15lb). There is one exception to this; for flight tickets issued in Brazil, Economy Class passengers on flights to/from Brazil the one item of carry-on baggage can weigh up to 10kg (22lb)
The maximum dimensions for each item of carry-on baggage are 50 x 37 x 25cm (20 x 15 x 10in). Laptops and laptop bags should fit within your one or two allowed items of carry-on baggage.
In addition to your carry-on baggage allowance, Qatar Airways passengers are also allowed to carry personal items on board the aircraft such as:
- Handbag
- Small briefcase
- Coat
- Blanket
- Umbrella
- A pair of crutches/walking stick
- Small camera or binoculars
- Reading material
- Infant basket
- Duty-free items purchased on the day of your flight.
Qatar Airways Check-In Baggage Allowances
Overview
Your free Qatar Airways check-in baggage allowance varies according to your route and your booked cabin class, and may also vary according to your fare type. Qatar Airways stated allowances are described below for each class of travel and for each fare type. As the rules are a little complicated you are advised to check the exact baggage regulations printed on your ticket.
Check-in Baggage – Economy Class
Qatar Airways has three different economy class fare types:
- Economy Classic
- Economy Convenience
- Economy Comfort
For economy class passengers to/from Africa and the Americas, the allowance is two items of check-in baggage, each weighing up to 23kg (50lb), regardless of your economy class fare type.
For all other Qatar Airways flights, the economy class check-in baggage allowance is by total weight, and varies by your economy class fare type:
- Economy Classic – 25kg (55lb)
- Economy Convenience – 30kg (66lb)
- Economy Comfort – 35kg (77lb)
Check-In Baggage – Business Class
Qatar Airways has three different business class fare types:
- Business Classic
- Business Comfort
- Business Elite
For business class passengers to/from Africa and the Americas, the allowance is two items of check-in baggage, each weighing up to 32kg (70lb), regardless of your business class fare type.
For all other Qatar Airways flights, the business class check-in baggage allowance is a total weight of up to 40kg (88lb), regardless of your business class fare type. The number of bags is not specified.
Check-In Baggage – First Class
Qatar Airways has a single first-class fare type – First Elite.
For first-class passengers to/from Africa and the Americas, the allowance is two items of check-in baggage, each weighing up to 32kg (70lb).
For all other Qatar Airways flights, the first-class check-in baggage allowance is a total weight of up to 50kg (110lb). The number of bags is not specified.
Check-In Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Qatar Airways restricts the maximum combined dimensions of a single item of luggage (length + width + height) to a maximum of 158cm.
Similar to most other airlines, Qatar Airways has a maximum allowed weight for a single piece of check-in baggage of 32kg (70lb).
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Members
Qatar Airways Privilege Club members are eligible for an increased baggage allowance as follows:
- Silver members (oneworld Ruby): 15kg (33lb), or one extra item
- Gold members (oneworld Sapphire): 20kg (44lb), or one extra item
- Platinum members (oneworld Emerald): 25kg (55lb), or 2 extra items
Additional and Excess Check-in Baggage
Overview
You can buy an additional check-in baggage allowance. The fee depends on your particular travel route.
You can buy an additional check-in baggage allowance at ‘Preferred’ rates with savings up to 50% when you purchase up to 6hrs prior to departure, at the Qatar Airways Website, Qatar Airways ticketing offices, and Qatar Airways Customer Contact Centers. ‘Standard’ additional check-in baggage allowance rates apply when purchased within 6hrs of your flight departure at Qatar Airways airport offices and check-in counters only.
Full details of Qatar Airways’ additional check-in baggage charges can be found here:
Additional baggage – Up to 50% off Extra Baggage | Qatar Airways
Item Concept Routes
For flights to/from Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the USA, Qatar Airways’ additional check-in baggage charge is per item of baggage is $US200 (Preferred), or $US250 (Standard). If you are traveling economy class and your additional bag weighs between 23kg and the maximum allowed 32kg, there is a further charge of $US52 (Preferred), or $US65 (Standard).
There are a few route-specific exceptions to these per item charges where different per item charges apply – flights between Qatar and Africa, flights to/from Alexandria (Egypt), and flights between Buenos Aires and Brazil.
Weight Concept Routes
For other flight routes, the additional check-in baggage charges are calculated by weight. These vary by route and are pretty expensive. The Preferred rates range from $US6 to $US55 per 1kg. The Standard rates range from $US10 to $US85 per 1kg.
What would this mean in practice? Let’s look at an example of an economy class passenger traveling on an Economy Classic fare between Australia and Europe. This passenger has used up their 25kg check-in bag allowance with one suitcase but wants to take another check-in baggage item weighing 20kg. According to Qatar Airways’ charges, this additional item of baggage would cost $US25 per 1kg each way if buying more than 6 hours before travel, equivalent to an additional $US500 each way. Or, if buying less than 6 hours before travel at the airport, the additional cost would be $US60 per kg each way, equivalent to an unbelievable $US1,200!
Other Points to Note
- These rates stated above apply to Qatar Airways’ operated flights only. If your journey includes flights that are operated by other airlines, different baggage rules and fees may apply. If you are unsure, you should contact your nearest Qatar Airways ticketing office, or call center, to check the rules and charges that apply to your particular journey, otherwise, your wallet could be in for a nasty shock!
- Whilst Qatar Airways allows passengers traveling first and business class, and economy class passengers on the Economy Comfort fare to take more than 32kg of check-in luggage, remember that the maximum weight of any single item of baggage is 32kg. So, if you turn up with a suitcase weighing more than 32kg you will need to re-pack and re-distribute the weight of your suitcases within your total weight/item limits.
- Qatar Airways allows each passenger a maximum of five items of check-in luggage, or 100kg, subject to the payment of the appropriate additional fees.
- Additional check-in baggage fees are calculated per passenger per journey, where a journey is defined as the entire outbound or inbound trip between origin and destination.
Sports Items and Musical Instruments
Qatar Airways accepts sporting equipment as part of your check-in baggage allowance. However, any sporting equipment that exceeds your free allowance will be subject to excess baggage rates. When purchased in advance, specific sports equipment rates apply. The rates are in three weight/size tiers as follows:
- Up to 15kg and combined total dimensions of 175cm – $US100 – $US560
- Up to 25kg and combined total dimensions of 217cm – $US200 – $US1,050
- Up to 32kg and combined total dimensions of 300cm – $US350 – $US1,750
When purchased at the airport, regular excess baggage rates apply to sporting equipment.
Traveling With an Infant or Child
Infants
Infants are allowed a check-in baggage allowance depending on the route to be flown:
- For flights to/from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the USA, one item of check-in luggage is allowed. The maximum weight is 23kg (50lb) and the maximum combined dimensions are 115cm (45in)
- For flights to/from all other destinations one item of check-in luggage is allowed. The maximum weight is 10kg (22lb) and the maximum combined dimensions are 115cm (45in)
Qatar Airways also allows one baby stroller, collapsible carrycot, or pushchair per infant without charge.
Infants are not entitled to any cabin baggage allowance, so any infant cabin items need to be carried as part of the adult’s cabin baggage.
Children
Children traveling on a child fare are eligible for the same baggage allowance as adults.
Conclusion
All passengers flying with Qatar Airways get a free cabin baggage allowance and a relatively generous check-in baggage allowance. However, the check-in baggage rules are a little complicated so you are advised to check the exact baggage regulations printed on your ticket.
You should avoid taking check-in baggage that exceeds your free allowance as this will turn out to be very costly. If you really do need more check-in baggage than your free allowance, make sure you buy that online before you travel. If you need to take a lot of check-in baggage with you it’s worth checking whether upgraded fare types or classes of travel, with higher check-in baggage allowances, maybe a cheaper option for you. Alternatively, you might consider an alternative method of carriage for any excess baggage.
