Travel in Australia
Airline Luggage Rules: Infant, Sporting & Mobility Needs

Travel in Australia on a domestic flight with infants, mobility needs or bulky sports equipment and you'll meet lots of airline luggage rules. Here's the plain English on domestic flights to Sydney. Go here for special needs baggage on international flights

Sunrise over Sydney Bondi beach, surfboard optional

Australian Air Travel with Children

Children receive the same baggage allowance as adults on Sydney flights, both checked and carry on.

Flying with Infants

Infants receive no baggage allowance in Australia. If you are travelling to Sydney with an infant you may carry on an extra bag with things like baby food and nappies that are needed on the flight.

Qantas

Flying with Infants = special needs

Adults accompanying infants traveling in Australia, can check in one collapsible stroller or a carry basket or bassinet (stowed in the aircraft hold). This is in addition to the normal free baggage allowance for adults.

Virgin

Specific infant equipment is carried to Sydney free of charge on Virgin domestic flights. All other infant baggage is included as part of the parent or guardian's free or purchased baggage allowance.

Infant equipment includes:

• Pram/stroller
• Portable cot
• Car seat
• Baby capsule

Jetstar

When you travel in Australia with an infant Jetstar will let you check in baby accessories, such as a pram and portable cot, in addition to your baggage allowance.

Airline Luggage Rules for Sports Equipment - Qantas

Sports equipment is part of your checked baggage allowance when you travel in Australia, subject to any specific sports equipment requirements. You will be charged for any airline baggage carried in addition to your free allowance.

You can buy additional airline luggage allowance in advance over the internet, using your credit card. It will save on airport excess baggage rates.

Travel in Australia with your kayak

The carriage of baggage to Sydney over and above the free baggage allowance is subject to space being available.

The maximum weight of any piece of checked Sydney baggage is 32kg (70lb). Some sports equipment such as to surfboards, surf skis and windsurfers (sailboards) may not be able to carried as checked baggage and will need to be sent as freight. Freight charges will apply.

All items must be properly and securely packed for travel in Australia.

Bicycles

Bicycles for Sydney must be suitably packed in a bike box. Bike boxes can be purchased from most Australian airports. Customers can travel with their own bike box, however it must not exceed the dimensions and must be properly and securely packed. See Virgin's Travel Packing Tips for a Bike below.

Qantas bike pack dimensions are:

• Length: 140cm (55in)
• Width: 30cm (12in)
• Height: 80cm (32in)

Before bicycles can be accepted on Sydney flights they must be packed as follows:

• Tyres must be deflated
• Pedals must be removed
• Handle bars must be fixed parallel to the frame
• If the bicycles length exceeds 140cm (55in), the front wheel should be removed and fixed beside the rear wheel, inside the bike box

Snow Ski/Snowboard

Snow skis and snowboards must be protected in a ski bag.

Fishing Equipment

Airline luggage restrictions apply

To be accepted on flights to Sydney, fishing rods must be protected in a PVC cylinder with screw ends.

These can be obtained from any local fishing store in Australia.

Alternatively you can use PVC plumbing or electrical tubing.

Fishing rods must not be strapped to suitcases when you travel in Australia.

Golfing Equipment

You may want to bring your own clubs for your golf vacation. Golf bags and collapsible buggies are carried to Sydney as baggage and are exempt from normal linear dimension restrictions.

Scuba Equipment

You can check in the following items in Australia:

face mask	fins (pair)	harness	pressure gauge
knife	regulator	snorkel	safety vest
spear gun	tank	weight belt

Knives must be carried in checked baggage. Spear guns must be unloaded with spears packed separately. Flares, incendiary or explosive spearheads will not be accepted at all in checked or cabin baggage. Compressed air/gas tanks will only be accepted if empty and regulator tap is open.

Surfboard/Surfski

Bodyboards are no problem

So you're planning to travel in Australia to surf all the beaches? Here's what to do.

To carry a surfboard or surfski to Sydney as baggage, fins must be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment or taped to the board.

Paddles must also be taped to the board.

Qantas Check-in will attach a Fragile tag to the bag and you must complete and sign the limited release portion of the baggage tag.

Boards/skis that exceed 277cm (109in) in length must be sent to Sydney as freight and freight charges will be assessed at an average weight of 32kg (70lb) each.

Due to size restrictions some equipment may not travel to Sydney on the same aircraft as you.

Windsurfer (Sailboard)

One sailboard kit consists of not more than one board, mast, boom and sail, and the length does not exceed 277cm (109in).

Windsurfers cannot be carried as baggage in Australia due to the length of the sail mast. They must be sent to Sydney as freight and freight charges will apply.

Due to size restrictions some equipment may not travel to Sydney on the same aircraft as you.

Water Ski equipment

Water skis or slalom water ski must be suitably packed in a lightweight container. The maximum weight of any piece of checked baggage, including sporting equipment, is 32kg (70lb).

Airline Luggage Weight - Sports Equipment on Virgin

Will an extra 5kg help?

If your travel in Australia involves taking sports equipment on a Virgin domestic flight you can check-in an extra 5kg of baggage allowance free of charge.

Excess baggage charges apply once the full allowance, including the additional 5kg, is exceeded. You can't buy any more baggage allowance.

Compare Tiger's airline luggage fees for sports equipment on their cheapest air tickets.

Virgin has special airline luggage requirements if you want to take your bike to Sydney.

TRAVEL PACKING TIPS FOR A BIKE

These travel packing tips below come directly from Virgin.

If you wish to take your bike to Sydney with you, you must disassemble and pack it in a hard or soft case or a manufactured bike box.

You must also check-in no later than one hour prior to your Sydney flight's departure.   If the bike is not packed according to Virgin's requirements, or you are later than one hour, Virgin will not be able to take your bike on board.

You should pre-purchase a box and pack your bike at least 24 hours prior to starting your travel in Australia to ensure it is ready on time.   You can buy bike boxes at any Virgin terminal for A$15.00.

Tools

Tools you'll need to disassemble most bikes are:

• A set of Allen keys
• An 18mm adjustable spanner (long handled preferred)
• 2 x 12 inch adjustable wrench (long handled preferred)
• A set of Phillips head & Flat head screwdrivers
• Packing tape
• Black marker pen
• Can of CRC or WD-40 (for seized nuts/bolts etc)

Virgin may have these available for borrowing but advises that you should bring your own.

Disassembling

Generally, the following applies to disassemble your bike:

• Remove front wheel
• Remove back wheel if necessary (easiest if the bike is in the highest gear)
• Remove pedals
• Lower or remove seat post (don't forget to mark it before moving it!)
• Turn handle bars sideways and tape to the frame, ensuring the front forks are secured
• Remove any accessories (e.g. front carriers)
• Deflate the bicycle tyres

Packing

When packing your bike remember to:

• Put the frame in the box
• Put the wheels in beside the frame
• Place any accessories in the box (ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box)
• Seal, label and tag the box
• Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out of the box

At the Airport

Once at the airport, you may be directed to do any of the following:

• Line up as normal and check-in
• Check-in at the service desk or designated counter
• Check-in at the oversized baggage counter or designated counter

Travel in Australia with Bulky Items on Jetstar

Jetstar does not distinguish between sports equipment and other bulky items for costing luggage. But it does have special requirements for packing sports equipment. Bulky items to a maximum of 1.9 metres, including but not limited to bicycles, surfboards, skis, golf clubs and snow boards, may be included within the allowance, subject to space availability.

Bicycles

Bicycles will not be accepted for carriage unless they are suitably packed in a Bike Pack.

Bike travel in Australia

Jetstar does not provide bike packs at airports, but Virgin does so you could probably get one at the airport if you haven't previously bought one from a bike shop.

The bike must be packed in the following condition:

• Tyres must be deflated
• Pedals must be removed
• Handle bars must be fixed parallel to the frame
• If the bicycle's length exceeds 180cm, the front wheel should be removed and fixed next to the rear wheel, within the box

If the Bike Pack constitutes excess baggage, then excess baggage charges will apply.

Firearms for hunting or sporting purposes

Jetstar may agree to carry firearms and ammunition for hunting or sporting purposes. These must be packed in accordance with all applicable national and international laws and regulations. Jetstar may withhold approval at its sole discretion.

Applications for the carriage of firearms and ammunition for hunting or sporting purposes must be submitted at least 2 working days prior to your anticipated departure date.

Fishing Rods

Fishing rods must be protected in a PVC cylinder with screw ends, obtained from a local fishing store, or in PVC plumbing or electrical tubing. Fishing rods must not be strapped to suitcases. Jetstar accepts no responsibility for unprotected fishing rods,even if they are accepted as baggage.

Scuba Diving Equipment

Scuba diving equipment must not be included for carriage unless prepared as follows and presented as Checked Baggage:

• Compressed air/gas tanks will only be accepted if empty and regulator tap is open;
• Knives must be included in checked baggage
• Spear guns must be unloaded with spears packed separately and suitably protected (eg with polystyrene).

Surfboards

• A surfboard, (including the surfboard bag), must not exceed 1.9 metres
• Surfboards will not be accepted for carriage unless they are placed in an appropriate surfboard bag.
• Surfboard fins must be removed, where possible, and placed in an enclosed compartment in the bag, or taped to the board.

Skydiving Equipment

Sky diving equipment must not be carried in the aircraft cabin but may be checked in.

Windsurfers (Sailboards)

Windsurfers cannot be carried as baggage due to the length of the sail mast.

Airline Luggage Regulations on Mobility Aids

Mobility aids are available for your use at all Australian airports. You need to give notice so that they will be available for you. Always contact your carrier well before the date of your travel in Australia.

You can take a walking cane, a pair of crutches or prosthetic devices on board if you are dependent on them for mobility.

Qantas also allows a walking frame on board, if it is collapsible and cabin crew can stow it safely in the aircraft cabin. Non-collapsible frames are not allowed as cabin baggage.

All airlines will carry wheelchairs or other mobility aids if you need them for your own use.

You may check in medical/life dependant equipment and two pieces of mobility equipment without additional cost on Qantas. Virgin and Jetstar are limited to 2 electric wheelchairs / mobility aids per flight to Sydney due to restrictions in aircraft hold space.

In accordance with manufacturer recommendations and to reduce any risk of damage to your mobility aid, all electric wheelchairs, including power assist wheelchairs, must travel in the upright position (folded or unfolded) in the free wheel mode.

The maximum dimensions of electric wheelchairs or mobility aids that can be carried on most Austrailia flights (based on the size of a Boeing 737) are:

• 125cm long,
• 100cm wide,
• 84cm high and
• 120 kg in weight.

If your mobility aid does not fit within these dimensions (after being adjusted or disassembled), Virgin cannot carry it to Sydney. Virgin's policy on mobility aids on Sydney Australia flights

Jetstar has slightly more generous dimensions, based on its use of A320/A321 aircraft:

• 1m (height)
• 1.4m (width)
• 1.4m (length)

Here's Jetstar's help page for travel in Australia with special mobility needs.

If it cannot accommodate your wheelchair on the flight you have booked, Qantas will attempt to offer you, where possible, an alternate flight that is operated by a larger, wide-bodied aircraft such as a Boeing 767, Boeing 747 or Airbus 330.

Travelling to Sydney in a small aircraft, the dimensions are less:

Bombardier Dash 8:	Width 85 cm	Height 103 cm	Length 115 cm
Boeing 717:	Width 80 cm	Height 73 cm	Length 100 cm

Should your mobility device not fit into the plane on which you're travelling in Australia then you will need to travel with an alternative mobility device. Your larger equipment can be sent as freight in most cases.

Virgin does not accept wheelchairs/mobility aids with spillable batteries on Australian flights.

Virgin's handling requirements for motorised wheelchairs/mobility aids with non-spillable batteries, including the packing of your wheelchair's battery for travel to Sydney, are:

• The battery is disconnected
• The battery connections are taped down so they cannot connect together during flight; and
• The battery terminals are protected from short circuits by covering the terminals, and battery is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.

Wheelchairs/mobility aids with gel-type batteries do not require the battery to be disconnected provided that battery terminals are insulated to prevent accidental short circuits.

Qantas has this further provision for manual wheelchairs when you travel in Australia:

All manual wheelchairs must fit within the size restrictions in the upright position (folded or unfolded). If the wheelchair fits within the size restrictions but not in the upright position, the wheelchair can only be carried if it weighs less than 32 kgs and the manufacturer has confirmed that the wheelchair can be stored and transported on its side. Otherwise, the wheelchair must fit within the size restrictions in the upright position to be carried.