A handbag on a flight is generally considered a "personal item," meaning it must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, alongside your main carry-on bag, and is subject to size/weight limits (often around 40x30x15cm or specific airline dimensions). Rules vary, but typically you get one main carry-on and one personal item, with airlines like Qantas, Finnair, and Air New Zealand allowing handbags as the small under-seat item.
Yes, for budget airlines like Jetstar, a handbag (or personal item like a laptop bag) is generally included in the 7kg carry-on allowance, meaning the total weight of both your main carry-on and your small item must not exceed 7kg. Some full-service airlines, like Air New Zealand, offer a 7kg allowance for Economy but often permit an additional small personal item (like a handbag) on top of that, depending on your fare and status, but always check your specific airline's rules.
Electronics, medications and personal essentials are allowed but must be removed from bags and screened separately. Articles like nail cutters, scissors, swiss knives and batteries are not allowed in hand luggage.
Comments Section Yes you can, you're allowed a carry on and personal bag like a backpack or purse. Each airline will have its own weight and dimensional limits, which you can look up ahead of time, but the norm is to allow one small bag that fits under your seat and one medium bag that fits in the overhead container.
1x small item:
Needs to fit under the seat in front of you. Should be carried outside of your main item. Includes items like a purse or handbag, laptop or thin case, coat or blanket, umbrella, camera, approved duty-free goods or infant food and other baby items.
One handbag up to 7 kgs and 115 cms (L+W+H), allowed per passenger. Additionally, one personal article, such as ladies' purse or a small bag containing laptop, not weighing more than 3 kgs.
Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry-on baggage with a maximum total dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22in x 14in x 9in) and maximum weight of 7 kgs. (15 lbs).
Basic Economy bag limits
For most trips you can only bring one personal item when you're flying in Basic Economy. You can't bring a carry-on bag unless you're flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked.
You can take perfume up to a maximum volume of 100 ml in your carry-on luggage. Pack them in a transparent plastic bag so that they can be removed quickly and conveniently from your hand luggage during security control.
Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.
Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. Spare lithium batteries, which include both power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage.
We recommend packing all liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag. Liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml not in a secure, tamper-evident bag must be packed in checked baggage.
The most confiscated items at airports are usually everyday items people forget about, primarily oversized liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs), along with knives, sharp objects (like scissors, multi-tools), and lighters, due to carry-on restrictions, with firearms also frequently found in checked bags despite strict rules. Batteries (especially lithium) are also common, needing to be in carry-ons, and even items like protein powder can be flagged for extra screening.
In most cases, you can fit 6–8 outfits into a cabin bag 7kg, depending on the fabrics. Lightweight summer pieces take up less room, while winter clothes need careful planning.
You can't bring sharp items (knives, scissors over 6cm), many tools (hammers, saws), firearms, flammable liquids/gases, corrosive chemicals (bleach, oven cleaner), explosives, pepper spray/mace, large lithium batteries, and items that look like weapons on a plane carry-on. Restricted liquids (over 100ml), certain powders (over 350ml/g), and some electronics like hoverboards also face limitations or bans.
If your carry-on bag exceeds the 7kg limit, the airline will likely require you to check it in at the airport, either by paying an excess baggage fee (often higher at the gate) or by shifting items to your checked luggage, as oversized/overweight bags can pose safety risks and delay flights. Options include repackaging, paying gate fees, or potentially buying extra allowance, but the bag might be gate-checked (tagged and sent with checked luggage) or even refused if significantly over.
Carry-on Luggage: It's recommended to carry your jewellery in your carry-on luggage, which remains under your direct supervision throughout the journey. Avoid packing valuable items in checked baggage, as there is a higher risk of loss or damage.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
What is considered a personal item bag varies from airline to airline, but a small purse, briefcase and laptop bag are always considered personal items. Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a backpack, purse, or laptop bag. The backpack must fit under the seat in front of you. Some airlines, particularly budget airlines, may require you to pay an additional fee for a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead compartment.
Terms and conditions. Guests are allowed to carry the below items free of cost: Two (02) units of cabin baggage with a maximum collective weight of seven (07) kg (which would include laptop and personal items).
How to avoid paying checked baggage fees
Always put your chargers and spare batteries in your carry-on before you head to the airport.
You can't bring sharp items (knives, scissors over 6cm), many tools (hammers, saws), firearms, flammable liquids/gases, corrosive chemicals (bleach, oven cleaner), explosives, pepper spray/mace, large lithium batteries, and items that look like weapons on a plane carry-on. Restricted liquids (over 100ml), certain powders (over 350ml/g), and some electronics like hoverboards also face limitations or bans.