Jetstar will begin charging passengers up to A$52 to place carry-on baggage in overhead lockers, a significant overhaul of the budget airline’s rules set to take effect in February 2027.
Under the new model, the Australian carrier will scrap its longstanding 7kg carry-on weight limit and instead allow every passenger a single underseat bag, such as a backpack or handbag. Travellers who wish to use the overhead compartments will need to purchase a Priority Carry-on add-on.
Size restrictions on bags will remain in place despite the removal of the weight cap.
The airline framed the change as a way to reduce delays and ease one of the more frustrating moments of air travel. “By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time,” Jetstar said in a statement.
Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, positioned the shift as consistent with its low-fare strategy, arguing that passengers would only pay for the services they use. Those travelling light would pay less, while others could add capacity as needed.
The move fits a broader industry pattern of unbundling services and charging separately for baggage, seat selection and boarding priority. Such fees have become a key revenue stream for carriers seeking to keep advertised fares low, a trend that has coincided with rising airfares across the sector.
Consumer advocates have frequently criticised such charges, arguing that they obscure the true cost of a ticket and can catch travellers off guard at the gate. Supporters counter that ancillary fees give passengers greater control over what they pay.
The overhead-locker charge will not take effect until early 2027, giving passengers and the airline more than a year to adjust before the policy is implemented across Jetstar’s fleet.