Jetstar to start charging for overhead carry-on bags
Budget airline Jetstar will begin charging passengers between A$25 and A$52 for overhead locker access starting in February 2027. The policy aims to streamline boarding, though it has faced criticism as a 'cash grab'.
Why it matters
The shift reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry toward unbundling services to increase ancillary revenue, often at the expense of passenger convenience.
The policy takes effect in February 2027, with fees ranging between A$25 and A$52 (S$23-S$47) per flight depending on the route.
Listen SYDNEY – Jetstar, the budget arm of Australia’s national carrier Qantas, will require passengers who want to store carry-on bags in overhead lockers to pay extra from February, as the airline overhauls its cabin baggage policy.
The carrier will allow one bag that can fit under the seats, such as a backpack, handbag, or laptop bag for no extra cost, but a larger bag could cost between A$25 and A$52 (S$23-S$47) per flight depending on the route, according to examples provided by the airline.
The move brings Jetstar’s carry-on baggage policy closer to systems used by several low-cost airlines globally, which charge passengers for access to overhead locker space while including a smaller under-seat bag in the base fare.
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