I Regret To Inform You Your Carry-On Luggage Will Now Be Weighed

If you're a sneaky domestic traveller, this memo is for you.

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Passengers travelling on domestic flights around Australia will need to have their carry-on luggage weighed.

The country's biggest airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia, announced they will strictly implement the carry-on weight limit starting December 11.

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"We’re renewing our focus to keep cabin baggage within the allowances and to ensure everyone has their fair share of space onboard," a spokesperson from Qantas said in a statement.

"Ensuring that allowances are being followed will also help reduce delays during the boarding process and ensure an on time departure."

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Airlines have always had a weight limit policy, but Qantas and Virgin Australia have been lax in implementing them.

A Qantas spokesperson told BuzzFeed News that for domestic flights, passengers are allowed two carry-on bags within the maximum dimensions with up to 7kg per bag (that means each passenger has a 14kg carry-on weight allowance). On top of that, each passenger is allowed one personal item (a handbag or overcoat) that won't be weighed.

On Virgin Australia, passengers are allowed up to 7kg cabin luggage, plus laptop bags, handbags or suit bags.

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Qantas and Virgin Australia are following the lead of low cost airlines, including Qantas-owned Jetstar, that have always been strict with weight limits.

Virgin Australia told BuzzFeed News that the move aligns it with the rest of the industry, supported by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

"We’re seeing injuries to our ground and cabin crew, caused by closing overhead lockers full of heavy baggage, shifting bags in overhead lockers to assist guests finding space and assisting passengers with lifting their bags into the overhead compartments," Paul Woosnam, Virgin Australia's general manager ground operations said in a statement.

Virgin Australia said carry-on luggage can be re-weighed at any point in a passenger's journey, including at check-in and at the boarding gate.

"If baggage is heavier than the 7kg limit, their bag will need to be checked in and carried in the cargo hold."

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Qantas said passengers will not be able to pay extra to bring luggage weighing over 7kg onto the plane as hand luggage.

The airlines' weight limits for carry-on luggage apply to all domestic passengers.

Neither Qantas nor Virgin Australia have confirmed whether strict implementation on carry-on weight allowances will be introduced to passengers on international flights as well.