Jetstar will charge from A$25 one-way for overhead bin access from 2 February 2027 under a new Priority Carry-on product, keeping only an underseat bag free — and travellers are furious.
Cover image: Jetstar Airbus A320 at Sydney Airport as new overhead bin carry-on fees loom — photo by Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Jetstar, the Qantas Group's low-cost carrier, will charge passengers to use the overhead bins from 2 February 2027. The new Jetstar overhead bin fee comes packaged as a "Priority Carry-on" purchase starting at A$25 one-way, which buys a bag of up to 56 x 36 x 23cm in the locker plus priority boarding. Every fare will still include one free underseat bag — a backpack, handbag or laptop bag up to 40 x 30 x 20cm — according to Jetstar's announcement. Prices vary by route, from A$25 on Launceston–Sydney to A$52 on Cairns–Tokyo, and availability is capped by how much bin space each flight has.
The change applies to all Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights departing from 2 February 2027 — domestic Australia, New Zealand and international services — but not Jetstar Japan (GK) operated flights or group bookings of 10 or more, the airline says. Customers already booked on flights after that date will be upgraded to Priority Carry-on at no extra cost. The move has triggered a ferocious backlash, with flyers calling it "highway robbery" and "a masterclass in gaslighting".
How much will Jetstar charge for overhead bin bags?
Priority Carry-on starts at A$25 one-way on selected flights and rises with route length. Route examples published by Jetstar show the spread:
| Route | Priority Carry-on (one-way) |
|---|---|
| Launceston – Sydney | A$25 |
| Adelaide – Brisbane | A$26 |
| Sydney – Melbourne | A$33 |
| Perth – Bali | A$39 |
| Cairns – Tokyo | A$52 |
That works out to roughly US$18–US$37 at current exchange rates, according to Fox Business. The product is limited: it can only be booked while overhead bin space remains available on a given flight, so late purchasers may find it sold out.
What stays free on Jetstar flights from February 2027?
Every booking will still include one underseat bag up to 40 x 30 x 20cm at no charge. Alongside the new fee, Jetstar is scrapping its long-standing 7kg carry-on weight limit and moving to a size-based model, ending the routine weighing of cabin bags at the gate — though the airline suggests keeping bags to about 10kg so passengers can lift them safely. Checked baggage remains purchasable up to 40kg per passenger. For a wider view of what different carriers include, see our guide to airline baggage allowance rules.
Why is Jetstar charging for the overhead lockers?
Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully framed the change as fixing two pain points: "We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and crew," she said in the airline's announcement, arguing the model will streamline boarding and help flights depart on time. Charging separately for bin space is also classic ancillary-revenue strategy — the unbundling engine behind how low-cost airlines make money.
The public is not buying the framing. "Highway robbery, Jetstar! You think it will be less frustrating being charged for locker space than getting your stuff weighed?" one Instagram commenter wrote, according to Fox News. Another post quoted by IBTimes UK called the rebranding "a masterclass in gaslighting", while Australian senator Bridget McKenzie branded the move "a cash grab".
How does Jetstar compare with other airlines — and the EU?
Jetstar is not inventing the model. US ultra-low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air have charged for full-size carry-on bags for years while leaving a small personal item free — the template Jetstar is now adopting, as Fox Business and Airways Magazine note. Jetstar is, however, the first major Australian carrier to cross the line.
Europe is moving in the opposite direction. In June 2026, European Parliament and Council negotiators struck a deal on revised air passenger rights that guarantees a free personal item (40 x 30 x 15cm) plus a small cabin bag of up to 7kg and 100cm combined dimensions on flights within the EU. The European Parliament confirmed the agreement on 7 July 2026 by 646 votes to 12, according to Euronews, and the rules are expected to apply from 2027 once the final formal steps of adoption are complete. Airlines flying within the EU will effectively be banned from charging carry-on fees that Jetstar is about to introduce — though the rules do not cover Australian domestic flying.
What should travellers already booked on Jetstar do?
- Booked for travel after 2 February 2027? You get Priority Carry-on free — check the manage-booking page rather than paying again.
- Measure your day bag. If it fits 40 x 30 x 20cm under the seat, you pay nothing extra. Keep power banks, which must travel in the cabin, in that underseat item.
- Buy at booking, not the airport. Priority Carry-on is capacity-limited; leaving it late risks higher prices or a sell-out.
- Compare the total trip cost. On some routes a checked bag may cost little more than bin access — and fare timing matters too, as our analysis of when flight prices drop in fall 2026 shows.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Jetstar overhead bin fee start?
The policy applies to all Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights departing from 2 February 2027, covering domestic Australian, New Zealand and international services. Jetstar Japan (GK) operated flights and group bookings of 10 or more passengers are excluded. Anyone who booked before the announcement for travel after that date will have Priority Carry-on added to their booking at no charge, according to Jetstar.
How much does Jetstar Priority Carry-on cost?
Priority Carry-on starts at A$25 one-way on selected flights and varies by route. Jetstar's published examples run from A$25 on Launceston–Sydney and A$33 on Sydney–Melbourne up to A$52 on Cairns–Tokyo — roughly US$18 to US$37. The purchase includes an overhead-locker bag up to 56 x 36 x 23cm plus priority boarding, and is only sold while bin space remains available.
What can I take on a Jetstar flight for free from February 2027?
Every fare includes one underseat bag up to 40 x 30 x 20cm — a backpack, handbag or laptop bag. Jetstar is also removing its 7kg carry-on weight limit and ending routine gate weigh-ins, moving to a size-based system, though it recommends keeping bags to around 10kg for safe lifting. Checked baggage can still be purchased, up to 40kg per passenger.
Do other airlines charge for overhead bin space?
Yes. US ultra-low-cost carriers including Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air have charged for full-size carry-on bags for years, with only a small personal item included free. Jetstar is the first major Australian airline to adopt the model. Most full-service carriers, including parent Qantas, continue to include an overhead cabin bag in every fare.
Is charging for carry-on bags legal in Europe?
Not for long, on flights within the EU. The European Parliament confirmed revised air passenger rights on 7 July 2026 by 646 votes to 12, guaranteeing a free personal item plus a small cabin bag of up to 7kg and 100cm combined dimensions. The rules are expected to apply from 2027 once final adoption formalities conclude. They do not cover Australian domestic routes like Jetstar's.
Sources
- Jetstar Newsroom — Jetstar to update its carry-on baggage model
- Fox Business — Jetstar will charge passengers to use overhead bins starting in 2027
- Fox News — Travelers rage as budget airline plans overhead bag fee: 'Highway robbery'
- IBTimes UK — Jetstar's move to charge for overhead bin draws backlash: 'A masterclass in gaslighting'
- Airways Magazine — Jetstar to charge for overhead-bin carry-on bags from 2027
- Euronews — European Parliament approves free cabin luggage and delay compensation for air passengers
Post a comment