AirnorthTL

Airnorth is an Australian regional airline headquartered at Darwin International Airport, serving as the essential air link for Northern Australia's remote communities, mining operations, and tourism destinations. Founded on 4 July 1978—coinciding with the first week of the Northern Territory's self-government—Airnorth is Australia's second oldest operating airline.

The airline specializes in connecting the vast, sparsely populated regions of the Northern Territory, Western Australia's Kimberley region, and Queensland. Airnorth serves over 350,000 passengers annually, providing critical transport for fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) mining workers, outback communities, and tourists visiting iconic destinations like Kakadu National Park and the Kimberley.

Since 2015, Airnorth has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristow Group Inc., the world's largest helicopter operator. While not part of a global airline alliance, Airnorth maintains a codeshare partnership with Qantas on selected routes, allowing passengers to earn Qantas Points when booked on QF-coded flights.

Airnorth includes free checked baggage on all fares—a rarity among regional carriers. Allowances vary by aircraft type due to payload restrictions on smaller turboprops.

Carry-On Allowance

Embraer E170/E190 (Jet Aircraft):

• Weight: 9 kg (20 lbs)
• Plus one small personal item (handbag, laptop bag, camera, reading material)
• Must fit under the seat or in the overhead bin

Embraer E120 Brasilia (Turboprop):

• Weight: 4 kg (9 lbs)—stricter limit due to smaller aircraft
• Plus one small personal item
• Connecting passengers should verify bags meet E120 limits

Checked Baggage

All fares include free checked luggage—no fee for your first bag.

Aircraft Type	Route Type	Included Allowance	Max Per Bag
E170/E190	Domestic	20 kg (44 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
E120 Brasilia	Domestic	15 kg (33 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
All Aircraft	International (Dili)	30 kg (66 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)

Children: Entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults (infants excluded)

Infant Baggage: Up to three infant items (stroller, car seat, cot) free of charge, maximum 20 kg total

Excess Baggage

Contact Airnorth reservations (1800 627 474) to pre-purchase excess baggage at reduced rates. Third-party sources indicate approximately A$85-95 per additional bag, but pricing varies by route.

Overweight Policy:

• Individual bags cannot exceed 32 kg (70 lbs)
• Bags over 45 kg (100 lbs) are not accepted on any aircraft

Important Note: Due to payload restrictions on smaller aircraft, Airnorth may transport oversized baggage on a later flight. Essential items should be in carry-on.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Sporting equipment	Standard	Oversize exempt up to 300 x 45 x 76 cm. Equipment only—no clothing
Bicycle	A$52.50-56.50 (~US$35)	Hard case required, space-available basis, pre-register at booking
Golf clubs	Standard	Must fit within weight/size limits for your aircraft
Fishing equipment	Standard	Same allowances as other sporting gear
Car seat	Free	Two child items up to 10 kg each
Stroller	Free	Two child items up to 10 kg each

Sporting equipment must be packed in a single bag and contain equipment only—no clothing or personal items allowed.

Airnorth operates an all-economy configuration across its fleet, focusing on efficiency for regional routes. Despite being a regional carrier, Airnorth provides amenities often absent on comparable airlines.

Embraer E170/E190 (Jet Aircraft):

• Capacity: 76 passengers (E170) / 100 passengers (E190)
• Configuration: 2-2 seating
• Seat pitch: 31 inches (79 cm)—above regional average
• Features: Leather seats, 2 lavatories, HEPA air filtration
• Complimentary: Refreshments on all flights

Embraer E120 Brasilia (Turboprop):

• Capacity: 30 passengers
• Configuration: 2-1 seating (single seats on starboard side)
• Features: Spacious seating, 1 lavatory, pressurized cabin
• Complimentary: Refreshments on all flights

Onboard Service:

• Complimentary refreshments (snacks and beverages) on all flights
• Catering available on longer routes
• No in-flight entertainment—bring your own device for flights up to 5 hours

Fleet Notes: Airnorth's E170 is the Advanced Range (AR) variant, capable of carrying full payload for over four hours—useful for Australia's vast distances. The airline is transitioning toward more E190 operations while retaining some E170s.

Booking:

• Book Air Flex for maximum flexibility on remote routes where weather can disrupt schedules
• Check if your route operates on E120—luggage limits are significantly stricter
• For Qantas Points earning, book through qantas.com under the QF flight number

Packing:

• Free checked baggage is included—rare for regional carriers, so take advantage
• If connecting to an E120 flight, pack carry-on under 4 kg to avoid gate issues
• Sporting equipment is oversize-exempt—ideal for fishing and adventure travel in the Kimberley

At the Airport:

• Darwin Airport: Airnorth operates from Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international for Dili)
• Remote airstrips may have limited facilities—carry essentials in your cabin bag
• Wet season (Nov–Apr) can cause significant delays; allow buffer time for connections

For Mining/FIFO Workers:

• Airnorth serves major mining sites including McArthur River
• Check with your employer about group bookings and charter arrangements
• Tools transport is available—contact reservations for specifics

Tourism:

• Direct access to Kakadu National Park gateway (Darwin), Kununurra (Kimberley), and Gove (Arnhem Land)
• Book Kununurra flights for access to El Questro, Bungle Bungles, and Lake Argyle
• Airnorth is often the only scheduled service to remote tourism destinations

Payment:

• All fares and fees quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD)
• International credit cards accepted
• Travel agents can book through GDS systems