Jetstar to charge up to $52 for carry-on bags in overhead lockers
Will start charging passengers up to $52 to place carry-on baggage in overhead lockers, a sharp shift for the budget airline’s cabin-bag rules. The
Jetstar will start charging passengers up to $52 to place carry-on baggage in overhead lockers, a sharp shift for the budget airline’s cabin-bag rules. The change takes effect in February 2027 and removes the 7kg weight limit that has long applied to carry-on bags.
The airline said the move follows extensive research and feedback from customers and crew, who flagged gate bag checks and the scramble for locker space as among the most stressful parts of airport travel. The new policy keeps size limits in place, but changes who gets access to the overhead bins.
What changes for passengers
Every booking will still include one underseat item, such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag. Travellers who want to bring more can buy a “Priority Carry-on” option, which includes a second, larger bag for the cabin.
Jetstar said the change is meant to ease pressure at boarding and reduce friction at the gate. “We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” chief executive Stephanie Tully said.
A familiar pain point on budget routes
Overhead locker space has become a recurring flashpoint on short-haul flights around the world, especially on low-cost carriers that pack cabins tightly and turn planes around quickly. The boarding ritual can be tense: bags that looked fine on the curb suddenly get measured again at the gate, and the line stalls while staff decide what fits.
Jetstar’s move targets that exact moment. For many travellers, the issue is not just weight or size. It is the hassle. Families, commuters and holidaymakers all know the scene. A packed cabin, a full bin, and nowhere to stow a roller bag.
What the airline is betting on
By separating underseat items from larger cabin bags, Jetstar is trying to make boarding smoother and the rules clearer. The airline’s message is blunt: the stressful part starts when everyone wants the same limited space above their heads.
The new fees and allowances are due to come into force in February 2027. For passengers planning ahead, that leaves one clear choice — travel light, or pay for the locker space.
“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” Tully said.
