Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Korean Air or Qantas?

Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Qantas: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Qantas allows the larger bag.

Do Korean Air and Qantas include a carry-on on basic economy?

Korean Air: Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on. Qantas: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Where do Korean Air and Qantas fly from?

Korean Air's main hubs are Seoul (ICN). Qantas's are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Korean Air and Qantas partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Korean Air: SkyTeam; Qantas: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

KE vs QF · 2026 comparison

Korean Air vs Qantas

Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Qantas wins on a bigger carry-on. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Korean Air

Wins 2 categories

A more generous carry-on weight limit
Cheaper checked bags

Qantas

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Qantas wins on a bigger carry-on. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Qantas: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Korean Air: Included on every fare · Qantas: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Korean Air: 2 free bags · Qantas: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Korean Air	Qantas
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	2 free bags	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	oneworld
Loyalty program	SKYPASS	Qantas Frequent Flyer
Main hubs	ICN	SYD, MEL

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Korean Air allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), and Qantas up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), so Qantas's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 10 kg (22 lb) on Korean Air, 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Qantas.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Korean Air, and anything that fits under the seat on Qantas.

Korean Air includes two bags with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Korea, and Qantas includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and Australia.

Basic economy

Korean Air (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Qantas (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Korean Air is in SkyTeam and Qantas is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: SKYPASS (Korean Air) and Qantas Frequent Flyer (Qantas).

Korean Air's main hubs are Seoul (ICN). Qantas's are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Korean Air if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ICN

Choose Qantas if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from SYD, MEL

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.