Qantas' Next Gen check-in a bag drag

Qantas' Next Generation check-in system deployment is behind a new baggage policy that will force economy and business class passengers to consolidate down to one bag.

New Qantas baggage allowances (Screenshot by Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

"Qantas has launched its new checked baggage policy to support its domestic faster, smarter, check-in product," the airline said today in a statement.

The flying kangaroo explained to ZDNet Australia that instead of having 23kg to 32kg of baggage spread across multiple bags, passengers are now only allowed one bag before having to purchase additional baggage allowances for business and economy class passengers and Qantas Club members.

According to the company, slimming the baggage allowance down to one item instead of multiple would speed up check in through Next Generation bag drops.

The airline does offer a discount for additional baggage purchased during online booking. Additional baggage is charged at standard rates if purchased at the terminal, however.

Qantas has been watching the weight of checked baggage on long-haul flights in the past month, especially on its recently launched Dallas-Fort Worth route, where the airline was revealed to be leaving bags behind on purpose due to weight and fuel restrictions in-flight.

The airline's deployment of the Next Generation check-in program started in mid-2010 with 100,000 of its Frequent Flyers. Qantas expects to complete the roll-out by late 2011 with the addition of Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.