A general view of the Jetstar check-in area at Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 7, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Australian budget airline Jetstar will remove its seven-kilogram carry-on baggage weight limit on flights from February 2027.
However, there’s a catch. Jetstar will still enforce size limits for small under-seat bags, such as handbags, laptop bags and small backpacks, with fees applying to passengers who exceed those limits.
The Qantas-owned low-cost carrier announced the shift to a simpler size-based model to match other leading budget airlines overseas.
At present, Jetstar weighs passengers’ carry-on bags at the airport and charges a flat fee of between $60 (US$42) and $85 at the gate if they exceed the seven-kilogram limit.
From Feb. 2, 2027, carry-on bags will be subject to a size limit of 40 x 30 x 20 centimetres. Passengers whose bags exceed the limit will either have to pay an excess carry-on baggage fee and have their bag checked in, or purchase a +7kg Extra Carry-On Baggage allowance at the boarding gate.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully acknowledged that weighing carry-on bags at the airport is “frustrating” for both customers and crew.
“To make packing easier we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on,” she said.
“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.”
Tully claimed the new carry-on baggage model provides “more choice to customers” while keeping the fares low.
“You only pay for what you need—travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need,” she said.
How Does This Compare to Other Airlines?
Jetstar’s new approach aligns closely with overseas low-cost carriers including Dublin-based Ryanair and U.S.-based Frontier.
For example, Ryanair fares includes one small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 centimetres that must be kept under the seat.
Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines includes one free personal item measuring 14 x 18 x 8 inches (roughly 36 x 46 x 20 centimetres) that must fit under the seat.
In Australia, Jetstar parent company, Qantas, allows one overhead bag, one under seat bag and one personal item on domestic flights with a total weight of 14 kilograms and maximum of 10 kilograms for each bag.
Meanwhile, competitor Virgin Australia allows passengers to bring one main carry-on bag weighing up to 8kg, plus a small personal item with maximum dimensions of 45 x 33 x 20 centimetres.
