Australian carrier Jetstar have announced they will charge customers to bring carry-on luggage from February 2027.
Additionally, the airline is scrapping the pre-existing 7kg carry-on weight limit. They say these moves address customer concerns over limited space in the overhead bins.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said:
Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.
From February, all tickets will include one free underseat bag, such as a laptop carrier, handbag, or rucksack. Adding luggage for the overhead bin will cost upwards of AUS$25 under the Priority Carry-on scheme.
With this announcement, Jetstar follows moves already made by many of their low-cost peers around the globe. Airlines such as Ryanair, and Frontier all charge customers extra if they want to store baggage in the overhead bins. At a time when jet fuel prices are high, the move could also help bolster Jetstar’s ancillary revenues.
Carry-on charges have come under controversy in Europe, however. easyJet was recently warned by the UK’s advertising authority for promoting cheap baggage prices the regulator said were far from realistic.
Meanwhile, the EU seeks to enact legislation forcing all carriers to advertise fare prices that take into account carry-on baggage fees.
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