Jetstar announced substantial modifications to its carry-on baggage policies, set to take effect in February 2027. The airline will discontinue the existing 7-kilogram weight restriction on carry-on bags, though size limitations will remain in place. Under the new structure, base ticket fares will include only one underseat bag, such as a backpack or laptop case, while passengers seeking to store luggage in overhead compartments must pay an additional fee.
The airline introduced a “Priority Carry-on” fee option that permits passengers to place a larger bag in overhead lockers and includes priority boarding privileges. According to Jetstar’s announcement, pricing for this service will depend on flight distance. Examples provided include $25 for certain regional flights, $33 for major domestic routes, and fees starting at $52 for international routes. Jetstar acknowledged in its press release that fees may vary, and media verification found substantially higher costs on specific international routes, with some overhead bag fees exceeding $100 per flight.
Jetstar characterized the shift toward size-based baggage fees as consistent with practices at other major budget carriers globally. The airline attributed the policy change to extensive customer and crew feedback indicating that gate-level bag weighing and overhead locker congestion represented significant sources of airport stress. According to Jetstar leadership, the new model aims to optimize locker utilization, expedite boarding procedures, and improve on-time departure rates. The airline emphasized that customers only incur overhead baggage charges if they choose to use that service.
The announcement prompted scrutiny regarding pricing transparency. A government transport ministry representative stated that Jetstar would need to demonstrate that the changes actually maintained lower fares, and emphasized the expectation that airlines clearly communicate included services during ticket purchase to prevent passenger surprises at airports. In Europe, similar baggage fee practices have prompted regulatory action, with authorities mandating that airlines display fares inclusive of carry-on allowances during initial booking stages. Jetstar’s checked baggage allowance structure remained unchanged under the new policy.
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