Checked bag fees have quietly become one of the biggest hidden costs of air travel. If you're flying regularly — domestically or internationally — you're probably spending more on bag fees than you realise. Here's a breakdown of what every major airline charges Australians in 2025, and how to avoid paying a cent.
What the Major Airlines Are Charging
Qantas
Economy fares no longer include checked luggage by default on most routes. A 23kg checked bag costs $60–$75 on international routes and around $30–$50 domestically. For a return trip, that's up to $150 per person before you even land.
Jetstar
Jetstar's base fares include zero checked luggage. Their Starter fares are genuinely carry-on only — pay or it doesn't go. First checked bag starts at $29–$49 depending on the route. For families, this adds up extremely fast.
Virgin Australia
Virgin's Economy Light fare includes no checked luggage either. You'll pay $30–$60 per sector for a standard 23kg bag. Business class includes luggage, but for most travellers on leisure fares, it's an add-on.
Emirates & International Carriers
Long-haul international carriers are slightly better — many still include 1 checked bag in economy. But extra bags and overweight fees can hit $100+ per bag quickly.
The Annual Bag Fee Bill
If you fly 4 domestic trips per year (return), you're spending roughly $240–$400 just in bag fees. Add 2 international trips and you're looking at $500–$700+ per year, per person. For a couple or family, it compounds quickly.
How to Eliminate Bag Fees Completely
The solution is simple but requires the right gear: a carry-on bag that can actually hold a full trip's worth of clothes.
Standard carry-on suitcases are inefficient — rigid corners, wasted space, poor organisation. A purpose-built travel backpack like the Carvons Canvas Bag uses compression packing technology to fit 7–10 days of clothes in a bag that fits overhead on every airline.
- Dimensions are approved for 99% of airlines including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin, and Emirates
- Compression packing system fits significantly more than a standard bag of the same external size
- Padded laptop sleeve fits a 15" MacBook Pro
- Water-resistant ripstop fabric survives overhead bin chaos
The Maths
At $149 AUD, the Carvons Canvas Bag pays for itself in checked bag fees within 2 trips. After that, every flight you take is a saving. Over a year of regular travel, most customers save $300–$600+.