Jetstar to charge passengers up to $52 for using overhead lockers for carry-on bags
Passengers can expect to pay more for flying with just a carry-on bag after budget carrier Jetstar revealed it would start slugging customers up to $82 to use overhead lockers.
Passengers can expect to pay more for flying with just a carry-on bag after budget carrier Jetstar revealed it would start slugging customers up to $82 to use overhead lockers.
Under the overhaul coming into effect next February, every booking will include one personal item that fits under the seat — like a backpack, handbag or laptop bag.
It comes as airlines in Australia and abroad increasingly monetise nearly every aspect of the flight experience.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Jetstar’s parent company Qantas earlier this year began charging more for extra legroom through its new Economy Plus seats, which also offers customers priority boarding and access to overheard lockers first.
It rivals Virgin Australia’s Economy X offering launched in 2017, which offers the same benefits.
Jetstar on Wednesday said the changes aligned the airline with other low-cost carriers around the world.
In Europe, the low-cost model is pioneered by carriers like Ryanair, where a ticket just buys a seat and passengers are forced to fork out extra for add-ons like overhead cabin luggage and seat selection.
Other European airlines that have similar charges for hand luggage are Easyjet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizzair.
Jetstar said the changes were designed to simplify packing, speed up boarding and reduce delays caused by passengers weighing bags at the gate or competing for overhead locker space.
Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully said the changes would help flights depart on time, and remove the stress of having bags weighed at the gates then searching for overhead locker space on board.
“Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low,” she said.
“You only pay for what you need — travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.
“To make packing easier we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on.”
Passengers wanting to use the overhead locker space for a larger carry-on suitcase or similar items will have to pay extra, with prices starting from $25 on domestic flights, and as much as $52 for an international flight.
The lowest fee of $25 will apply to flights like Launceston to Sydney one-way, increasing to $39 for Perth-Bali one-way. Those travelling Cairns to Tokyo will be charged $52 for an overhead bag.
Jetstar noted fees may vary depending on the flights. The Nightly checked the Jetstar website and found it would cost an extra $82 to carry an overhead bag on a February 6, 2027 flight from Perth to Tokyo.
Jetstar has sweetened the deal by giving customers who pay for “priority carry-on” early boarding privileges.
And while the airline will no longer routinely weigh bags at the gate, it asks passengers to keep these under 10kg to ensure they can be safely lifted.
Under Jetstar’s new rules, underseat bags can be up to 40x30x20cm and overhead bags can be up to 56x36x23cm.
Customers travelling with an infant will be able to take an extra underseat bag for their baby items, at no extra cost.
There are no changes to Jetstar’s checked baggage allowance, which remains purchasable for up to 40kg per passenger.
