Australian budget airline will limit free carry-on to one small under-seat item, with fees of up to A$52 for larger bags.
Australia’s low-cost carrier Jetstar will begin charging passengers for the use of overhead lockers on its flights from 2 February 2027, in one of the most significant changes to its cabin baggage policy in years.
Under the new rules, standard Economy fares on Jetstar Airways (JQ) services will include only one small personal item that must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. This under-seat bag-such as a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack-will be limited to a maximum size of 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
Travellers who want to bring a second, larger bag for the overhead locker will need to purchase a “Priority Carry-on” option. The larger bag may measure up to 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. Those who buy the upgrade will also receive priority boarding.
Fees Depend on the Route:
Priority Carry-on prices will start from around A$25 one-way on selected domestic routes, such as Launceston to Sydney, and rise depending on the journey. Examples provided by the airline include approximately A$33 for Sydney to Melbourne, A$39 for Perth to Bali, and up to A$52 for Cairns to Tokyo (Narita). Availability will be limited on each flight, and pricing is expected to be dynamic.
Jetstar has said it will no longer routinely weigh cabin bags at the gate. Instead, it advises passengers to keep overhead bags to 10kg or less so they can lift them safely into the lockers themselves. Bags suspected of exceeding this practical limit may still be weighed and required to be checked if necessary.
Reason Behind the New Fee and Rules for Existing Bookings:
The airline said the new system is designed to make better use of limited overhead space, streamline the boarding process and help flights depart on time. Weighing bags at the gate has long been a source of frustration for both passengers and crew on busy services.
Customers who have already booked Jetstar Airways flights departing on or after 2 February 2027 will automatically receive the Priority Carry-on option at no extra cost. Rules for flights before that date, and for Jetstar Japan services, remain unchanged for now.
The shift brings Jetstar closer to practices already used by several other low-cost carriers around the world, where free cabin baggage is restricted to a small personal item and larger carry-on bags attract an additional fee. For frequent Jetstar travellers, the change is likely to increase the overall cost of flying light unless they carefully pack within the new free under-seat limits.