Jetstar to charge up to $52 for carry-on overhead locker space

Jetstar Airways will introduce fees of up to $52 for passengers to store carry-on baggage in overhead lockers, part of a major overhaul of the budget carrier's cabin baggage rules. Beginning February 2027, the airline will drop its current 7kg weight limit and replace it with a size-based system that includes one underseat bag allowance, with a paid upgrade for a second, larger bag. The change follows customer and crew feedback that identified weighing bags at the gate and hunting for locker space as stressful parts of the airport experience.

New carry-on model

Under the new policy, every Jetstar fare will include one underseat bag, such as a backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. The underseat bag can measure up to 40 × 30 × 20cm. Customers who need additional carry-on can purchase a 'Priority Carry-on' option, which adds a second, larger bag for the overhead locker (up to 56 × 36 × 23cm) and grants priority boarding. The fee varies by route: $25 for Launceston to Sydney, $33 for Sydney to Melbourne, and up to $52 for Cairns to Tokyo. Jetstar says the size-based model is similar to other leading low-cost carriers globally.

Why the change?

Jetstar's CEO, Stephanie Tully, explained that the new approach is designed to reduce stress for both passengers and crew. "We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew," Tully said. "From February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on." The airline believes the change will 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," Tully added. "You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need."

What remains the same?

Jetstar will no longer routinely use cabin baggage scales, but will still ask passengers to keep carry-on bags to 10kg so they can safely lift them into the overhead locker. Travellers with infants can take an extra underseat bag for baby items at no extra cost. Checked baggage allowances are unchanged, with passengers able to purchase up to 40kg per person. The airline described the shift as a response to extensive research and customer feedback, focusing on removing two of the most common pain points of air travel.

Industry context

The move aligns Jetstar with a growing trend among low-cost carriers to separate baggage options more explicitly, charging for cabin space while keeping base fares low. By removing the weight limit, Jetstar hopes to simplify the airport experience and speed up boarding. The exact rollout date is February 2027, giving the airline time to update systems and communicate the new rules to passengers.

As the aviation industry evolves, Jetstar's new policy could influence how other budget airlines approach carry-on allowances. For passengers, the key takeaway is to measure bags carefully and decide whether the overhead locker fee is worth paying. The new rules promise less stress at the gate, but they also add another decision to the booking process. With two years until implementation, travellers have ample time to adjust their packing habits and prepare for the change.