Qantas car seat and stroller policy
A guide to Qantas policies for family travel. Learn which child restraints are allowed on board, including CARES harnesses, and what baggage for infants is permitted.
Qantas prohibits booster seats and capsules on its aircraft. The airline does approve the CARES harness for children within a certain weight and height range, which is a helpful alternative for some families.
Because airline policies can be updated, it is always a good practice to confirm these details directly with Qantas when you book your travel to ensure you have the latest information.
| Topic | What Qantas says |
|---|---|
| Car seat on board | Booster seats and capsules are prohibited on aircraft. A booster is defined as a simple cushion or a shell base without a built-in harness.Source |
| CARES harness | The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is approved for children weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb), with a height of 100cm (40in) or less, who can sit upright alone.Source |
| Infant baggage | Infants do not have their own carry-on allowance, but the accompanying adult can bring a small bag with essentials like diapers in addition to their own allowance.Source |
Strollers and car seats
When you fly Qantas, you cannot use booster seats or capsules in the cabin. The airline describes a booster as a simple cushion or a shell base with a back and side wings that does not have a built-in harness. As an alternative, the Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is approved for children who weigh 10-20kg (22-44lb), are 100cm (40in) or less in height, and can sit upright without help.
The official page we checked does not mention rules for checking strollers or car seats as baggage, so be sure to ask the airline about their policy.
“Booster seats and capsules are prohibited on our aircraft. A booster could be a simple cushion or a shell base, back with side wings, and doesn't contain a built in harness.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is an approved alternative to car seats. This harness style restraint device is suitable for a child weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb) whose height is 100cm (40in) or less and who is capable of sitting upright alone.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
Qantas rules state that infants do not receive their own carry-on baggage allowance. However, the accompanying adult is permitted to bring a small bag for the baby’s needs, such as diapers, on board the aircraft. This is in addition to the adult’s personal carry-on allowance, giving you a little extra space for essentials.
“Carry-on baggage: infants don’t have their own carry-on allowance, but the accompanying adult can bring a small bag with nappies or essentials in addition to their carry-on allowance.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on Qantas:
Same topic, other airlines: