In a controversial overhaul of its carry-on policies, Jetstar will charge fees from $25 for carry-on luggage stored in the overhead lockers from 2027.

For those of you who’ve been snagging cheap Jetstar flights and squeezing your holiday’s worth of clothes into a carry-on suitcase, you may need to rethink your packing game.

From 2 Feburary 2027, Jetstar will charge its passengers at least $25 and up to $52 to bring overhead carry-on luggage as part of a major shake-up of its carry-on policy. 

This morning the airline revealed it will remove the 7kg carry-on weight limit and replace the restriction with a size-based model. All flight bookings from next year will include one underseat bag such as a handbag, small backpack or laptop bag. 

Passengers who need more carry-on allowance will no longer be able to store their baggage in the overhead lockers for free – they will need to purchase Priority Carry-On, which includes a larger bag and the chance to be among the first passengers to board the plane. 

Jetstar says the decision follows extensive research and feedback from customers and crew who express that struggling to find room in the overhead lockers is one of the “more stressful parts of the airport experience".  

The change will not apply to group bookings of 10 or more guests, nor to Jetstar Japan (GK) operated flights. 

Out of step with global baggage standards

While Jetstar claims the new size-based carry-on model is “similar to other leading low-fares carriers around the world", charging passengers for carry-on baggage is not an international standard.

In fact, the EU recently introduced a new law that bans airlines from sneaking extra carry-on fees into the airfare later in the booking process and requires airlines to show fares with hand baggage included from the outset in the default ticket price. The rule allows passengers to bring a free personal item (40cm x 30cm x 15cm), as well as a small wheeled bag with a maximum combined dimension of 100cm and a weight limit of seven kilograms. And over in the USA, only a handful of the many domestic carriers charge extra for larger carry-on bags.

The impacts

Jetstar’s carry-on policy change is intended to make boarding and getting settled on the plane easier and more efficient by swaying more passengers to pay for check-in luggage and removing the need to way carry-on luggage.

“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew," says Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully.

But for those refusing to fork out the extra charges, the policy could simply shift the problem elsewhere. As more passengers attempt to fit more belongings into bags that fit under the seat, underseat space may become more cramped, reducing comfort throughout the flight.  

“It moves the chaos from above to below," says Quentin Long, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Australian Traveller Media.

Another consideration is how change will disproportionately affect people travelling with babies. If you have a toddler or child, they will have their own plane seat, meaning their luggage can be stored under their seat. However, because babies sit on your lap, these families will essentially be forced to pay the upgrade fee either for Priority Carry-On or check-in baggage (or both). 

How much is Jetstar charging for carry-on vs checked luggage?

While passengers can bring one bag that fits underseat free of charge, the airline will introduce fees for larger baggage that doesn’t fit this requirement. Priority Carry-on is limited and starts at $25 one-way on selected flights, with prices varying depending on the flight path and length. For instance, flying Adelaide to Brisbane one-way will cost $26 for the upgrade, Perth to Bali will cost from $39 and Cairns to Tokyo will cost from $52. 

If you are opting to pay for check-in baggage instead, Jetstar tends to charge the following costs: 

• Purchasing during initial online booking: around $30-$45 (Australia/NZ) or $70+ (international) 

• At airport check-in desk: $120 for first 20kg (Australia/NZ) or $170 for first 15kg (international) 

• At boarding gate for excess luggage: $125 (Australia/NZ) or $175 (international) 

What are the new Jetstar carry-on size limits?

From 2 February 2027, Jetstar’s carry-on bag size restrictions will be as follows: 

•  Underseat bag (included in every fare): up to 40 × 30 × 20cm 

• Overhead bag (available with Priority Carry-on): up to 56 × 36 × 23cm 

Check-in baggage must weigh no more than 32kg for a single bag.