Jetstar announced a new pricing structure that will charge passengers additional fees for carry-on luggage stored in overhead bins, allowing only one personal item to be included with ticket purchases. The policy takes effect next year and represents the latest addition to existing fees for checked baggage, seat selection, cancellation rights, and onboard food and beverages.
Consumer advocates have criticized the move as deliberately obscuring the true cost of airfare. Graeme Hughes, a consumer expert at Griffith University, noted that the practice allows airlines to advertise artificially low headline prices while accumulating charges during the booking process, making meaningful price comparisons difficult for travelers. Andy Kelly, campaigns director at consumer advocacy group Choice, characterized the policy as “just an easy cash grab” and pointed to the cumulative impact of various add-on charges that can significantly increase the final ticket price.
Jetstar has framed the change as aligned with industry practice among low-cost carriers globally and argued it helps maintain competitive base fares. However, aviation expert Ian Douglas at the University of New South Wales expressed concern about Australian airlines adopting the model employed by European carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, which routinely charge substantial fees for carry-on luggage. In Europe, regulatory authorities have begun mandating that airlines display fares inclusive of carry-on allowances to facilitate consumer comparison.
The fees Jetstar will impose vary based on flight duration, with overseas routes potentially exceeding $100. This aligns with pricing strategies used by other low-cost carriers: Ryanair charges €/£12-€/£36 at booking or €/£20-€/£60 at the airport, while EasyJet charges up to £60 at the gate. By contrast, major U.S. carriers like Southwest and JetBlue typically include both a personal item and carry-on bag in base fares.
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