Jetstar to Charge for Overhead Bag Storage Starting February 2027
The Australian budget airline will become the first in the country to implement fees for carry-on luggage in overhead compartments.
Australian budget airline Jetstar will begin charging passengers for stowing carry-on bags in overhead compartments starting in February 2027. This move makes Jetstar the latest low-cost carrier to introduce a payment system for carry-on luggage, a practice common among budget airlines in the United States and Europe. Passengers will be able to store a small personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag, under the seat in front of them at no additional charge, provided it meets specified dimensions. The existing 7-kilogram (15-pound) weight limit for these underseat items will be removed.
The fee for using overhead compartments will start at 25 Australian dollars ($18) one way, with the final price varying by route. Bags placed in overhead lockers will have a weight limit of up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and will no longer be weighed by airline staff during boarding.
Jetstar cited passenger and staff feedback identifying gate-weighing bags and struggling to find overhead locker space as significant stressors during travel. The airline stated that the change aims to reduce frustrations at boarding gates and streamline the boarding process. "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," said Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully. "She added that the move would ensure customers only paid for what they needed.
While many carriers globally have already introduced fees for checked luggage and seat selection, Jetstar's decision to charge for overhead locker usage is a first for Australian airlines. Industry analyst Sharon Petersen of AirlineRatings.com noted that Australian travelers have historically high expectations for service, having long been accustomed to full-service options. Petersen also commented that Jetstar's base fares remain higher than those of some European low-budget carriers that have implemented similar policies, attributing this to higher operating costs and a different competitive landscape in Australia.
