Jetstar/Qantas/Virgin cabin baggage dimensions - how strictly are they enforced?

[Lima Yankee]

I have a Samsonite B'Lite Xtra 55cm Spinner Carry-On purchased from Myer about 10 years ago. Its dimensions are 55 x 38 x 22cm, which is 115cm linear dimensions but strictly speaking is 2cm wider than currently allowed as cabin baggage by Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin (56 x 36 x 23 cm).

I think I've only ever used this bag as cabin baggage on international flights, and when flying domestic I've always used it as a checked bag.

How strictly do these airlines enforce cabin bag dimensions on domestic flights? Will they allow +/- a few cm as long as total linear dimensions are less than 115cm? Or do I need to get myself a new cabin bag?

Posting in the Jetstar forum as I figure they are most likely to strictly enforce the dimensions.

On a related note, I also have a 48 x 34 x 23cm (105cm) bag which I recall buying specifically for domestic flights because my 115cm was ok for international carry on, but too big for domestic. But all domestic airlines currently allow a 56 x 36 x 23 cm (115cm) carry on bag on all fare types, except on Dash 8 sized aircraft, which I never intended to fly on. Was there a time in the past 10 years where certain airlines (maybe on certain fare types) did not allow a 115cm bag, other than on Dash 8's?

 

[Happy Dude]

I'd say that it varies.

 

[flyingfan]

I can count on one hand ever seeing VA or QF measure bags at the gate using that metal thingy to enforce the dimensions. imo if your bag fits into the overhead bin, and you don't try to take the proverbial by bringing another big bag, you'll probably get away with it - and if you don't, accept it with good grace, let them put it in the hold and get a new bag.

I don't fly JQ often but when I do or am at their gates I always see staff weighing every single bag, even light-looking backpacks, with a credit card machine at the ready for payment.

 

[Saab34]

Jetstar weight bags at the main ports, haven’t seen it at play in the smaller ports, but they have done it at checkin. I’ve seen the baggage check done in all major capitals plus Cairns. I don’t think the size is the issue, an extra 5cm or so nobody is going to notice. It’s the weight. Really delayed flights I’ve not seen them bother.

Jetstar is $75 on the spot fine should one get caught by the bag police at boarding, the staff told me when I asked that anything over 8.5/9kg they will ask for the cash or another re weigh if one wants to shuffle. However, is a few loopholes around that, ie keep the orange bag tag in tact and use for a future flight, board last or near the end as the bag police tend to walk off (no I’m not guilty of playing the game just what I’ve observed watching others play the game )

Never seen Virgin or QF do anything.

 

[Steve994]

I was on a Qantas flight from Christchurch to Melbourne a few days ago and 2 passengers in the first group boarding had cabin bags that looked to be normal size except they were expandable, like most larger cases. And they were expanded. The Qantas staff member at the gate made them put them in the metal frame and when they wouldn't fit the passengers were taken to the side and the bags were surrendered for checking into the hold. The passengers didn't look too happy but it serves them right for feeling so entitled, being first to board and potentilally depriving someone boarding later from overhead locker space. Well done to the Qantas gate staff.

 

[Rayesfeg]

As many others have said, Jetstar do monitor bag weight most of the time. As for dimensions, from my experience staff will make an assessment based on the look of the bag.
For those with bags that are obviously larger, or other items that are clearly larger than what is reasonable, I have seen staff walk the customers over to the metal bag dimension check frame. Not too sure what happens but I assume a fee and the bag will need to be put in the hold.

Its dimensions are 55 x 38 x 22cm, which is 115cm linear dimensions but strictly speaking is 2cm wider than currently allowed as cabin baggage by Jetstar

I am pretty sure that the bag dimension frame that Jetstar has at airport gates is actually slightly larger than the specifications that they have published on their website. I know this because a friend had the exact same query as you, with their bag dimensions being 2cm larger in one dimension than what was allowed. A quick trip to the airport to test it out in the metal dimension frame solved this query, though the bag did scrape a little when putting it in, it technically fit (Driving to the airport to test was worth the piece of mind). Hope this helps.

keep the orange bag tag in tact and use for a future flight,

Be aware that this might not work everywhere. In Melbourne, staff stand at the front of the queue dividers and weigh all bags as you enter the boarding queue, even if they already have the orange tag attached - there is no way to avoid them. I know this from experience.
Having said that, this strategy might work in Sydney where it is more of an open standing area without a single aisle that people queue.