Advice re first attempt at carry-on only with Qantas and JAL

[Jugurtha]

Later this month my two teenage kids and I are heading to Japan via Manila with a mix of Qantas and JAL. Even though its winter we are aiming to try and do carry-on only for the first time with 40L back packs (Forclaz 500, Caribee Traveller, and Tomtoc 40 L bags). We are using points to travel business class there and back so hoping the little extra weight and/or leniency if we are slightly over will see us through with no issues.
Qantas webiste says "two smaller duffle-style bags or backpacks. [14kg total (one piece must not exceed 10kg) Bag size: 48cm long x 34cm wide x 23cm deep]. JAL website says " A passenger may carry on board one personal belonging, such as a shopping bag or handbag, and one baggage whose weight is less than 22lbs (10kg), and the total linear dimensions (L+W+H) is not more than 45in. (115cm).

My questions:
(1) what are the chances they will weigh the carry on bags at business class check-in counter?
(2) with the additional personal belonging item allowed, what do airlines usually let through e.g. a smaller backpack; a canvas shopping bag, handbag, sling, laptop case? Do you have a suggestion of a good hack to help distribute your stuff in this additional bag to fly uder the radar?
(3) Are there any other sugesstions on how best to maximise the allowable carry on items to make it to boarding without issue?
(4) My daughter has a large laptop she needs to take which is 17 inch and weighs 2.3kg. So may be total weight issues if they weigh her bag. Any workarounds?
(5) Question on business lounges: We depart on a domestic Qantas flight so which of the business lounges is better at SYD? We then connect at Brisbane with a four hour layover, so I assume there is only one business lounge to choose from in BNE? With JAL from Manila, I assume only one choice of business lounge to choose from. Finally, JAL flight from Haneda at end of trip, are there choices of business lounge? If so which lounnge is best? thanks

 

[laffer]

Cannot comment on the QF business angle, but I have had no issue on J in CX or SQ internationally with a carry on suitcase (sitting around 10kg) and a backpack. I have never been questioned about this when flying J.

In fact, the only time I was pulled up with such a configuration was JQ Y on an international flight so I had to check the suitcase. Y on Virgin, Qantas, PR, BA, and IB have never been an issue. YMMV though on Y.

 

[elanshin]

My questions:
(1) what are the chances they will weigh the carry on bags at business class check-in counter?
(2) with the additional personal belonging item allowed, what do airlines usually let through e.g. a smaller backpack; a canvas shopping bag, handbag, sling, laptop case? Do you have a suggestion of a good hack to help distribute your stuff in this additional bag to fly uder the radar?
(3) Are there any other sugesstions on how best to maximise the allowable carry on items to make it to boarding without issue?
(4) My daughter has a large laptop she needs to take which is 17 inch and weighs 2.3kg. So may be total weight issues if they weigh her bag. Any workarounds?

Most full service airlines (QF and JL included) don't really check carry-on luggage very much in J unless you're clearly trying to take the piss or have a clearly oversized bag.

Just curious as to why not travelling with a suitcase. Do you guys not plan on doing any shopping? Do your kids not have any interest in various Japanese culture? Or I guess you could always buy a suitcase here as needed.

(5) Question on business lounges: We depart on a domestic Qantas flight so which of the business lounges is better at SYD? We then connect at Brisbane with a four hour layover, so I assume there is only one business lounge to choose from in BNE? With JAL from Manila, I assume only one choice of business lounge to choose from. Finally, JAL flight from Haneda at end of trip, are there choices of business lounge? If so which lounnge is best? thanks

At Syd - just QF J lounge (QF club is available but generally slightly worse).
At BNE - QF Int'l J lounge. There might be possibility of Emirates lounge too but I'm not sure on their opening hours.
At MNL - there's both the Cathay Pacific and JAL sakura lounges. JAL would definitely be open, but Cathay may not be so check the opening hours.
At HND - JAL Sakura. Cathay is also available but not open in the evening from memory.

 

[DC3]

Later this month my two teenage kids and I are heading to Japan via Manila with a mix of Qantas and JAL. Even though it’s winter we are aiming to try and do carry-on only …

I’m sure that you have a good reason for HLO, but I missed the point of it in your post. Travelling in J you would have plenty of included checked luggage allowance.

Looks like you found a use for those QFF points after all.

 

[drron]

I don't think you will have to worry with weights. We have just flown a Domestic QF Y flight MCY - SYD then TG J SYD-BKK. We did OLCI on the QF flight so didn't go near the check in desk. We weren't allowed to do OLCI on TG. They did weigh my carry on bag which was 10Kg but not my computer bag which is usually 5-6 Kg as i take a large laptop. TG says 2 7Kg bags allowable. All the agent said to us that she wouldn't be able to do an HLO trip.

The one query I have is do you have enough warm clothes for the winter there. I have a great warm jacket that I bought in Tasmania. It has 4 large exterior pockets and 2 large inside pockets. I sometimes worked in Burnie so had to fly Rex and their carry on limits are really tight and they usually do weigh items. In that jacket I could carry stuff weighing nearly 10Kg.
In any case I would wear a jumper and jacket when flying though I would only really be wearing them at check in and arriving in Japan.

 

[markis10]

EK Brisbane lounge is open from 5PM but it could be a long walk, located at the very northern end of the terminal.

 

[Jugurtha]

Thanks All. The carry on only idea for us was to see if we could do it and not have to wait at luggage cariusel and as bit easier to move through train stations in Japan.

Re enough winter clothing, we have some good thermals and weight for warmth puffer jacket etc. Our last 5 das is in Tokyo, where we can do some shopping and get a dugfle bag and use check-in luggage just for the flight home.

With the EK lounge, just checking are we allowed to use when we have a QF ticket? Is there a general policy that QF passengers can use EK lounge and JAL business class passengers can use X airlines etc? At Manila, is Cathay lounge better than JAL lounge? Do I need to ask airline check in person for the particular lounge?

 

[markis10]

With the EK lounge, just checking are we allowed to use when we have a QF ticket? Is there a general policy that QF passengers can use EK lounge

Eligible customers can also access Emirates Lounges across Australia, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East when flying on eligible Qantas or Emirates flights with a QF or EK flight number on your ticket.

When travelling on OneWorld flights in J you will have access to a variety of lounges if they are operated by a member airline, see Airport Lounges: oneworld Lounges & Airport Lounge Access Their are some exceptions

 

[Jugurtha]

Thanks for that. My flight lands in BNE at 4.35pm and connecting QF flight to Manila at 7.15pm. So we should get to experience the EK lounge as I see it opens at 5pm. thanks again.

 

[pjm99au]

At Manila, is Cathay lounge better than JAL lounge? Do I need to ask airline check in person for the particular lounge?

At Manila the Cathay lounge is in terminal 3 (where your QF flight will land). JL operate out of terminal 1. The terminals are not connected. Are you transiting or staying overnight in Manila?

 

[Jugurtha]

At Manila the Cathay lounge is in terminal 3 (where your QF flight will land). JL operate out of terminal 1. The terminals are not connected. Are you transiting or staying overnight in Manila?

I arrive Manila at 01:00 so was going to book a hotel in BGC (sleep, then leave bags at hotel upon check out at noon and explore BGC) then start heading back to Manila aiport about 6pm as JAL flight departs from Terminal 1 at 23:30. What is my best option then for Terminal 1 and do they have time limits for using lounge? thanks

 

[pjm99au]

I arrive Manila at 01:00 so was going to book a hotel in BGC (sleep, then leave bags at hotel upon check out at noon and explore BGC) then start heading back to Manila aiport about 6pm as JAL flight departs from Terminal 1 at 23:30. What is my best option then for Terminal 1 and do they have time limits for using lounge? thanks

The JAL lounge is your best (and I think only) option in terminal 1. It appears to open at 5pm for evening departures