The average Qantas flight can last several hours, so it’s only natural for one to get bored. That’s especially considering how they usually prohibit the use of portable electronic devices, a.k.a. smartphones. So, passengers would often come up with other ways to kill time during the flight.
For a knitter such as yourself, you probably already have the ideal pastime while waiting for the plane to land—knitting. However, one thing comes to mind: Can I take knitting needles on a Qantas flight?
Thankfully, yes, you can since the majority of Australian airlines allow their passengers to bring knitting needles on both domestic and international flights. Qantas is part of that majority.
However, as always, there are some specifics in regard to their rules concerning baggage, such as what you can do with the knitting needles and to what extent it’s allowed, among many things.
Let’s start by discussing the general guidelines and restrictions for bringing them on Qantas flights.
Are Knitting Needles Allowed on Qantas?
As stated earlier, yes, knitting needles are allowed on Qantas. More specifically, they allow it both in checked baggage and carry-on baggage. For your reference, here’s an explanation of these two:
- Checked baggage is the items that you put in a container, usually a travel bag. The crew then puts the container in a place inaccessible to passengers during the airplane flight.
- Carry-on baggage is the items you take with you inside the aircraft by hand. Unlike checked baggage, they’re stored over your head, and you have access to these items during the flight.
As you’ve probably guessed correctly, your situation regarding bringing knitting needles on your Qantas flight and perhaps using it involves carry-on baggage, at least more than the other type.
In addition, knitting needles are allowed on both domestic and international flights.
Can I Take a Needle in My Hand Luggage?
Carry-on baggage typically refers to hand luggage. Since knitting needles are allowed in carry-on baggage, then yes, you can take a needle in your hand luggage. That applies to most needles, be it sewing needles or embroidery needles. In fact, they’re more allowed than knitting needles, if that makes sense since these needles are smaller and are, therefore, less of a hazard than knitting needles.
Can You Knit or Crochet on an Airplane?
In addition to being able to take a needle from your hand luggage, you can also take it out and use it during the flight. That means you can knit or even crochet (if you brought crochet hooks) to kill time.
Of course, while it is allowed, it’s only polite to bring a project that isn’t too large that it would interfere with other airplane passengers. It’s also the logical approach since you might injure yourself or ruin your project if it’s so large that the item is difficult to knit in such an enclosed space.
Why Did My Knitting Needles Get Rejected on My Last Flight?
Whether your last flight was with Qantas or not, it’s important to understand that airlines have the right to refuse any items their passengers intend to bring. So, even if the item does follow their guidelines, they can still disallow it on the spot, and passengers can’t do anything about it.
The same goes for knitting needles, so it isn’t strange if the crew on your last flight disallowed your knitting needles or any knitting equipment, regardless of whether it followed their guidelines or not.
Why Do Some Airlines Disallow Knitting Needles?
Now, you’re probably curious why there’s a fuss about knitting needles in airlines.
Why do some airlines disallow needles? Why do knitters have to know the answer to this question in the first place? Well, it’s simply because airlines are cautious of items that can be used as a weapon.
That’s precisely why cutting tools like scissors are disallowed in many airlines. While some may argue that knitting needles aren’t as effective as weapons as scissors, the security personnel’s lack of understanding regarding knitting equipment may cause them to be cautious around knitting needles.
Interestingly enough, though, while scissors are generally prohibited in most airlines in Australia, Qantas Airlines allow scissors, so it can be said that they’re a bit lenient when it comes to their rules.
How Strict Is Qantas With Baggage?
If we compare it with American Airlines, Qantas is much more lenient when it comes to safety rules. The fact that they allow scissors, an item that is usually prohibited in most airlines, is a testament to this.
However, that only applies to safety rules concerning baggage. When it comes to other matters regarding baggage, such as overweight baggage fees and allowances, they’re quite strict.
For your reference, airlines typically have a limit in terms of weight and quantity for items you can bring in carry-on and checked baggage. The limit may differ from airline to airline, and as you might have guessed, Qantas have lower limits compared to other airlines, hence why we say they’re strict.
If you exceed this limit, you will have to pay the fees. Qantas, in particular, limits carry-on baggage to one main item and one personal item. Examples of these items include laptops and hand luggage.
They also have specific weight and size restrictions. If you exceed those restrictions, you will be subject to fees. Needless to say, while you can take knitting needles on a Qantas flight, you’ll have to keep in mind the baggage rules, or else you may have to pay an additional fee. Apart from the fee, there are many other restrictions you must follow if you want to bring your knitting needle during the flight.
What Are the Restrictions I Must Comply With to Bring My Knitting Needles?
At this point, you’ve already confirmed that you can indeed bring knitting needles on a Qantas flight, but as we’ve said again and again, that’s not the end of it. You must still follow certain regulations to earn the right to bring your knitting needle. Let’s take a look at these regulations or restrictions.
1. Reasonable Size and Length
It goes without saying that larger needles are much more intimidating and threatening than those that are smaller. So, it makes sense that Qantas, and many other airlines, for that matter, only allow needles up to a certain size. Qantas typically only allows needles that are shorter than 6 inches.
2. Material
In addition to size, Qantas also considers the material that the needles are made of since the security risk of needles apparently varies according to their material. For your reference, knitting needles are made of one of three materials: plastic, wood, and metal. As you might expect, metal knitting needles are often a higher security risk than plastic and wooden needles, so refrain from bringing this type.
3. Storage
Qantas would also check whether you have proper storage for the needles since they wouldn’t want you to injure yourself, or any other passenger, for that matter, due to lack of storage. Ideally, you want the needles to be stored in a case or any type of sheath that would prevent accidental injuries.
4. Additional Items
Knitting typically involves not only the needle but also yarn and a cutting tool like scissors.
Unfortunately, while you can hold unto the needle during the flight, you can’t do the same to scissors. You have to place them in the checked baggage, so make sure you won’t be using them for your knitting.
In short, if you want to maximize your chances of being able to bring your knitting needles on a Qantas flight, make sure it’s as small as it can be, it isn’t made of metal, and you bring a case for it.
As long as you comply with these regulations, you should be able to bring your knitting needles without much scrutiny. Of course, you might accidentally violate some of these restrictions, such as when you bring a needle larger than 6 inches, but that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed that they will prohibit the item. They will simply just inspect you more thoroughly, so it’s still up to chance.
Wrapping Up
We’re not exactly directly related to Qantas, so of course, there’s a chance they’ve made policy changes regarding this restriction. So, while this blog post should give you an excellent explanation as far as Qantas baggage rules are concerned, it’s still a good idea to check with Qantas Airlines by contacting their customer support through their website or telephone.
