Jetstar will charge passengers for overhead locker space from 2027
Jetstar has announced it will begin charging economy passengers to use overhead locker space from February 2027. The Australian low-cost carrier says the new overhead baggage fees will speed boarding and reduce passenger stress.
The airline is overhauling its carry-on baggage policy, replacing its long-standing weight limit with a new size-based system.
The new policy will apply to all Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights departing from 2 February 2027.
All Jetstar passengers get one complimentary underseat bag
Under the revised rules, every fare will include one complimentary underseat bag, such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag, measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Passengers who want to bring a larger cabin bag onboard for storage in the overhead lockers must pay Jetstar’s new Priority Carry-on fee.
The Priority Carry-on fee also offers priority boarding. Customers can board sooner and secure overhead bin space before general boarding begins. The airline said the larger cabin bag may weigh up to 10kg, an increase over the current 7kg carry-on weight limit. Overhead bags have a maximum size limit of 56 x 36 x 23cm.
Taking customer and crew feedback into account
The airline found bag weigh-ins and competition for overhead locker space are major stressors during boarding. By removing routine carry-on weighing and limiting the size of complimentary baggage, Jetstar hopes boarding will speed up and overhead locker availability will be more predictable.
“We’ve listened to customer and crew feedback and know that carry-on bag weigh-ins and finding overhead locker space are among the biggest pain points of travelling,” said Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully in the airline’s announcement of the new policy. “To make packing easier, we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on.
“By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time. 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.”
Priority Carry-on prices
Jetstar said the optional Priority Carry-on product will be limited in availability, bookable as long as overhead bin space remains available, and start from A$25 one-way, varying by route.
| Route | Starting price (one way) |
|---|---|
| Launceston – Sydney | A$25 |
| Adelaide – Brisbane | A$26 |
| Sydney – Melbourne | A$33 |
| Perth – Bali | A$39 |
| Cairns – Tokyo | A$52 |
The airline said that existing customers who have already booked on flights departing after 2 February 2027 will get Priority Carry-on at no extra cost.
There are no changes to Jetstar’s checked baggage allowances. Customers can still pay for checked baggage as required.
Jetstar’s new policy mirrors the ancillary revenue model pioneered by European low-cost airlines. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet all limit passengers on their lowest fares to a small underseat bag. They often charge a separate fee for priority boarding or a larger cabin baggage upgrade.
Jetstar, however, is the first airline in Australia and New Zealand to explicitly charge for access to the overhead lockers.
