My daughter is traveling to Australia on Qantas & the suitcase I have measures 55" (1 inch over the limit) I am stressed. I don't know if they measure. I don't want the kid to end up paying $125 for exceeding limits. Do they measure luggage? or just eyeball it? I need to get feedback on other travelers experience. Any out there who can help me?

Are you talking about checked baggage or carry on?? If it's carry on, will they be checking bags?? They flying from US?

Checked = 2 pieces, Total dimensions of the 2 pieces must not exceed 270cm (106in) with no 1 piece exceeding 158cm (62in).

Carry on = 1 x 115cm (45in) bag or
1 x 185cm (73in) non rigid garment bag.

Not familiar with Qantas, but in my experience, weight is a much a bigger issue than size. I've never, ever had my checked luggage measured (regardless of airline), but it's always weighed.

Blue Structure,
I am referring to checked luggage. She is traveling with a People to People Delegation of 40 kids. Flying out of LAX to Sydney. They are only allowed 1 check in bag-54 inches-no more than 44 pounds. & 1 carry on 39 inches - 11 pounds. Thanks for your response. I appreciate it.

We traveled Qantas around Australia last November. Although our luggage was 54" so size was not a concern, I would concur with Melnq8 that weight is much more important.

Our luggage was weighed at check-in for each flight but never measured to determine if it exceeded their total of 54". The difference between 54" and 55" is miniscule and people travel with luggage of all different sizes and shapes.

I personally wouldn't worry about it being 1 inch over especially if she is only checking 1 bag. Is this Qantas policy or the organization she is going with? I would watch the weight and not worry about the size. The one thing they definitely do is weight the bags, not so much check the dimensions unless it looks outrageously large. Qantas employees are extremely helpful and friendly. I wouldnt think she would have any problems. She's going to have a great trip!

Hi Blue Structure,
Thanks so much for reassuring me. I really appreciate your responses. The policy is Qantas-the restrictions are posted on it's web site. They are only allowed 1 bag per the People to People organization. I know she'll have a wonderful trip. My only regret is that I am not going with her
Thanks again, Elaine

I posted Qantas info as per their website. I think perhaps you have the wrong information, here is a link:

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying...baggageChecked

She is going to/from USA which is:

Business/Economy: 2 pieces
Total dimensions* of the 2 pieces must not exceed 270cm (106in) with no 1 piece exceeding 158cm (62in). Weight = 70lb per piece.

Riredsoxfan,

Good News! de-stress!

If you read the Qantas website they allow, even for domestic travel, 1 suitcase that is 140cm. Your daughter's 55 inch suitcase (in fact everyone's 55 inch suitcase) is 139.7cm-which is under the limit by 0.3cm. I know they say 54 inches, but they didn't pay attention in math class; I did, and was one of the engineers that designed the 747 at Boeing that Qantas flies . There are 2.54 cm in an inch: do the math Qantas!

Tampatramp.....Thanks so much.
I will stop worrying about the size of the luggage. Now I just need to make sure she doesn't forget anything and keeping below the 44# weight limit.
Thanks again,
Elaine

Elaine, you are quite welcome. And by the way: Qantas is one of the few great airlines and People to People is an extremely well run tour organization. And if she does forget anything- it is available in Australia. 44lbs (20kg) on the other hand may be more difficult; but then again, I never heard anyone complain "I didn't bring enough stuff".

I'd be amazed if anyone took a tape measure to your daughter's bag. I've certanly never seen such a thing happen.

As for weight - my wife and I just got back this morning from 2 weeks in Bali, flying with Qantas' low-cost subsidiary Jetstar, and on checking in at Denpasar found that our combined checked baggage, shopping included, was only 33 kg. We had 3 carry-on items, including a 7-kg bronze statuette, and nobody showed any interest in weighing or measuring them.

We're not fanatical light packers but have managed overseas trips of up to 7 weeks with only once exceeding the 20 kg pp limit (by 3 kg, and that passed without comment). If your daughter packs more than 20 kg, she's taking more than she needs.

The reality is that pressured check-in staff processing hundreds of passengers aren't about to bring the whole line to an indefinite halt for the sake of catching someone who's exceeded the allowance by a modest amount. I'm sure that Qantas check-in staff are given reasonable latitude in enforcing the rules.

Welcome back Neil. Come on over to the Asia board so I can pick your brain about Bali.

Hi Neil,
Thanks so much for your response. I do appreciate it. Hope you had a wonderful rip to Bali. Welcome Home.
I guess I was just a little worried, It's my daughter's 1st trip abroad (she's 15) and tend to over analyze & stress, especially when there is offspring involved. (it's a mom thing).
Any way, she managed to get everything she "wanted" in her baggage at just under the allowed 44#, but I am convince she overbacked-like you said in your post. That's her issue now, she's on her way & she is the one to has to lug it around Australia.
Thanks again, Elaine
& thanks to all who responded to my stressed appeal.

I know what you mean, Elaine - have been there with daughter who went to San Diego at that age on a school exchange program. In most things I think they're more resourceful than we may give them credit for.

I've found that 20 kg is enough to lug around anyway.