Jetstar, the low-cost carrier owned by Qantas, has introduced a new baggage fee structure effective next year that will charge passengers for carry-on luggage beyond a single “under seat bag.” The airline joins a growing trend among carriers of separating base fares from previously bundled services, adding costs for checked baggage, seat selection, cancellation rights, and meals.
Consumer advocates and experts have criticized the move as obscuring the true cost of air travel. Graeme Hughes, a consumer expert at Griffith University, noted the practice allows airlines to advertise artificially low prices that increase substantially during the booking process, making it difficult for consumers to compare fares between carriers. Andy Kelly from the consumer advocacy group Choice characterized the policy as “just an easy cash grab,” pointing to existing fees for seat selection and cancellation flexibility that can push total costs significantly higher.
Jetstar framed the change as a simplified user-pay model that keeps baseline fares competitive for budget-conscious travelers. The airline stated fees would vary by flight length, with international routes potentially exceeding $100 for overhead bag storage. Industry experts noted that European low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet already employ similar fee structures.
The European Union recently mandated that airlines, booking platforms, and search engines display fares inclusive of carry-on baggage from the outset to enhance price transparency and comparability. However, no equivalent regulation exists in Australia. Dr. Ian Douglas from the University of New South Wales observed that while the model is standard among European budget carriers, the shift represents a departure from Jetstar’s previous positioning within the Australian market.
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