Qatar Airways has one of the most generous checked baggage allowances in the industry. If you’ve flown within the U.S., you’ll be familiar with all the nickel-and-diming that airlines subject their customers to. When flying Qatar Airways, think more Southwest than Spirit.
You do need to watch out for excess baggage fees though as they can be quite excessive…but I’m getting ahead of myself.
In this post we will detail Qatar Airways’ free baggage allowance, excess baggage fees, and traveling with sports equipment, We’ll finish the post by covering what you need to do if your checked baggage is delayed or damaged.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
Your carry-on baggage allowance is determined by the cabin class that you will be traveling in, as well as the type of ticket bought:
| Cabin Class | Type of Ticket |
|---|---|
| Economy | Economy Classic |
| Economy | Economy Convenience |
| Economy | Economy Comfort |
| Business | Business Classic |
| Business | Business Comfort |
| Business | Business Elite |
| First | First Elite |
Number of Carry On Bags Allowed
The number of carry-on bags that you can bring onboard is determined by the cabin class that you’ll be travelling in:
- Economy Class: 1 carry-on bag
- Business Class: 2 carry-on bags
- First Class: 2 carry-on bags
Carry On Baggage Size Limit
Your carry-on bag cannot be larger than 20 x 15 x 10 inches (50 x 37 x 25 centimeters). This limit applies to all cabin classes.
Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Carry On Baggage Weight Limit
Your carry-on baggage weight limit is based on the cabin class that you’re traveling in.
If you are traveling in Economy Class, you are entitled to bring one carry-on bag onboard weighing up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms). If your Economy ticket was issued in Brazil, for any flights to or from Brazil, you can carry one carry-on bag weighing up 22 pounds (10 kilograms).
If you are traveling in a premium cabin (Business or First Class), you can travel with up to 2 carry-on bags weighing up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms) in total. The weight doesn’t have to be equally distributed across both bags: For example, one bag could weigh 20 pounds, while the second can weigh up to 13 pounds (for a total of 33 pounds).
| Ticket Type | Number of Carry On Bags | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Classic | 1 | 15 lb |
| Economy Convenience | 1 | 15 lb |
| Economy Comfort | 1 | 15 lb |
| Business Classic | 2 | 33 lb |
| Business Comfort | 2 | 33 lb |
| Business Elite | 2 | 33 lb |
| First Class | 2 | 33 lb |
Personal Item
You can also bring a personal item on board. Typical personal items include:
- A laptop bag
- Handbag
- Purse
This item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Checked Baggage Allowance
Your checked baggage allowance depends on your itinerary and the cabin class that you will be flying in.
Travel to/from North America/South America/Africa
Number of Checked Bags Allowed
For routes to or from North America, South America, or Africa, your ticket purchase includes 2 checked bags.
Checked Baggage Size Limit
Each of your checked bags can be no larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters). The size of your bag is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height, then totaling these measurements together. You need to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.
Checked Baggage Weight Limit
For Economy Class travelers, each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
If you are traveling in Business or First Class, each bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
| Cabin Class | Number of Bags | Bag Size Limit | Bag Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2 | 62 in | 50 lb each |
| Business | 2 | 62 in | 70 lb each |
| First | 2 | 62 in | 70 lb each |
Travel to/from Everywhere Else
Number of Checked Bags Allowed
For all other travel routes, the checked baggage allowance is based on the weight concept. What this means is that your baggage allowance is expressed as a total weight. You are free to distribute the weight across as many bags as you like.
Checked Baggage Size Limit
When traveling on a flight route that applies the weight concept to baggage allowance, your checked baggage size limit is the same as in the previous section (62 linear inches / 158 centimeters). However, there is a further limitation where the combined sizes of your bags can be no larger than 118 inches (300 centimeters) in total.
Checked Baggage Weight Limit
For Economy Class travelers, your checked baggage allowance is based on the type of Economy ticket you bought:
- Economy Classic: 55 pounds (25 kilograms)
- Economy Convenience: 66 pounds (33 kilograms)
- Economy Comfort: 77 pounds (35 kilograms)
If you’re traveling in Business Class, your checked baggage weight allowance is 88 pounds (40 kilograms).
For First Class passengers, the weight allowance is 110 pounds (50 kilograms).
| Cabin Class | Type of Ticket | Total Size Limit | Total Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Economy Classic | 118 in | 55 lb |
| Economy | Economy Convenience | 118 in | 66 lb |
| Economy | Economy Comfort | 118 in | 77 lb |
| Business | Business Classic | 118 in | 88 lb |
| Business | Business Comfort | 118 in | 88 lb |
| Business | Business Elite | 118 in | 88 lb |
| First | First Elite | 118 in | 110 lb |
Excess Baggage Fees
If you need to bring more luggage than your allocated baggage allowance, Qatar Airways offers a range of Extra Baggage options to meet your needs. For a more in-depth guide to Qatar Airways’ excess baggage fees, we have a post dedicated to this topic.
Prepaid Excess Baggage
If you know in advance that you’ll be bringing more luggage than your allocated baggage allowance, you can buy prepaid excess baggage online, through Qatar Airways’ mobile app, or at a Qatar Airways office or airport counter. The fee for prepaid excess baggage is $200 per extra piece of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
Each passenger can check up to 5 checked bags.
Excess Baggage Paid at the Airport
If you decide to bring more luggage than your allocated baggage allowance at the airport, you’ll have to pay a higher fee than the prepaid excess baggage option. The fee for airport excess baggage is $255 per extra piece of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
Oversized Baggage
Qatar Airways does not accept oversized checked baggage. If your bag is larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), you will have to ship it separately.
Overweight Baggage
If you are flying in Economy Class, a checked bag is considered overweight if it is heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your overweight bag weighs no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms), Qatar Airways will charge you a $75 overweight fee.
The airline will not accept checked bags that weigh more than 70 pounds.
Sports Equipment
Qatar Airways accepts sporting equipment as checked baggage as part of the free checked baggage allowance stated on your ticket.
All sports equipment needs to be properly packed in a container that provides adequate protection.
Typical items that are checked in include:
- Balls and balloons
- These items must be at least 70% deflated to allow for any change in air pressure while in flight.
- Bicycles
- non-motorized bicycles only
- Fishing equipment
- Golf equipment
- Kayak
- Accepted if item is less than 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
- Scuba gear
- All gas and air cylinders must be empty.
- Ski equipment
- Surfboard
- Accepted if item is less than 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
- Trekking equipment
- Windsurfing equipment
- Accepted if item is less than 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
- The item needs to be dismantled for transport.
Restricted And Prohibited Items
The following items are a representative but not complete list of items restricted or prohibited on Qatar Airways flights. You can refer to the airline’s website for a more complete list.
- Drones are allowed in checked baggage as long as the batteries are removed and carried in carry-on baggage.
- e-cigarettes and vaping devices are not allowed in checked baggage. They are permitted in carry-on.
- Smart baggage with a non-removable battery is not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.
- Smart baggage with a removable battery is allowed in checked baggage if the battery is removed and carried on-board in carry-on.
- Spare or loose batteries are not allowed in checked baggage. They are allowed in carry-on.
- Electronic vehicles powered by lithium batteries are not allowed in checked or carry-on. This includes vehicles such as hoverboards and e-scooters.
- Explosive and flammable items are banned on all flights.
Delayed and Damaged Baggage
If your checked bags do not arrive at your destination when you do or are damaged when you claim them, report the issue as soon as possible, preferably in person before you leave the airport. Once reported, you will then be given a Property Irregularity Report with an associated file reference number. You can use this reference number to check the status of your claim on Qatar Airways’ website.
If you have left the airport, you will need to file a report within 7 days of your flight arrival. It’s best to submit your report as soon as possible, especially if your checked baggage is missing. The airline can then begin to search for your missing bag.
After you have reported your issue with your checked baggage, you will then need to complete a claim through “My Baggage” within 7 days, after having left the airport.
While waiting for your delayed baggage, you can make incidental purchases of essential items that will be reimbursed by the airline. Make sure that you retain all original receipts to submit with your claim.
Final Thoughts
Qatar Airway’s baggage policy is very straightforward and easy to understand. Its checked baggage allowance is very generous across all cabin classes.
Of course, if you are traveling with overweight or extra bags, things can get expensive very quickly. However, this is the case with any airline.
You will want to be careful with the size of your checked bags as Qatar doesn’t accept oversized baggage. However, in my experience, the airline will only measure your bag if it is obviously oversized.
Remember to always check Qatar Airways’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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