Qatar business class hand luggage – How strict are they?

[Holidayguy]

We’re travelling to Perth next January, using a 241 voucher Belfast to Singapore and then to Perth via Jetstar. We’re returning with Qatar Perth to Dublin. We won’t be using the full baggage allowance, just a checked case and an overhead case each. We have 55cm cabin bags which are fine for BA and Jetstar but I see on Qatar’s site that they only allow 50 cm cabin bags.

If I have to buy new bags then so be it, but i’ ve watched numerous YouTube videos where Qatar business passengers seem to be bringing on bags that look significantly bigger than 55cm with no problems.

If anyone has experience of this could you offer some guidance?

[Lady London]

Take smaller luggage on board.

Qatar are ruthless in Y (recent experience no give on any of several flights) and very, very expensive if you transgress 0 tolerance. Never got hassle in J on them but you never know.

[Holidayguy]

Lady London wrote:

Take smaller luggage on board.

Qatar are ruthless in Y (recent experience no give on any of several flights) and very, very expensive if you transgress 0 tolerance. Never got hassle in J on them but you never know.

Thanks for the prompt reply! Not sure what Y or J signify but the tone of your post suggests it would be wise to take no chances.

[aq.1988]

Y = Economy, J = Business

[Aston100]

Holidayguy wrote:

Lady London wrote:

Take smaller luggage on board.

Qatar are ruthless in Y (recent experience no give on any of several flights) and very, very expensive if you transgress 0 tolerance. Never got hassle in J on them but you never know.

Thanks for the prompt reply! Not sure what Y or J signify but the tone of your post suggests it would be wise to take no chances.

People often use the following letters:
Y Economy
J Business
F First

Qatar are inconsistent in Economy.
Many people travelling to the Indian subcontinent seem to bring bags that are too large. They usually get away with it. I think Middle Eastern carriers are resigned to this.
Never noticed anyone having their carry-on bags scrutinised in business though. May happen but not seen it myself.

[memesweeper]

Aston100 wrote:

Never noticed anyone having their carry-on bags scrutinised in business though. May happen but not seen it myself.

I’ve taken an oversized hard shell cabin bag on Qatar business and economy four times without issue, or seeing anyone else being checked. But that was by accident, and if I fly with them in future, I won’t be risking it again.

[warrior01]

I saw someone (likely) from the Indian subcontinent taking a small TV and his wife/mother taking on a mini fridge filled with some kind of food into the cabin on J on QR from MAD – DOH. I assume they were flying on towards Asia somewhere from what I remember of their passport covers. No issues with that as far as I could see.

[Holidayguy]

memesweeper wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

Never noticed anyone having their carry-on bags scrutinised in business though. May happen but not seen it myself.

I’ve taken an oversized hard shell cabin bag on Qatar business and economy four times without issue, or seeing anyone else being checked. But that was by accident, and if I fly with them in future, I won’t be risking it again.

I’ve flew to Australia with Qatar in Economy 4 times in the last 10 years and while they’ve weighed my hand luggage I’ve never saw anyone be pulled for the size of their bag but it seems that many airlines are starting to enforce their limits. I think we’ll just go with backpacks!