Would you pay for lounge access or priority baggage? The airline perks actually worth spending money on
When Jetstar announced it would start charging passengers to bring a carry-on suitcase for the overhead lockers, there was widespread outrage at having to cough up another fee when travelling.
From February, the Aussie airline will scrap its 7kg weight limit, instead introducing a new “priority carry-on” option that will guarantee overhead locker space and allow up to 10kg.
Jetstar caused a stir when it announced a major change to its carry on policy. iStock
Everyone else, however, will only be allowed to bring a backpack, handbag or laptop case to find under the seat.
The response was brutal with over 80 per cent of travellers voting in an exclusive Nine poll that they would not pay extra to stow their bags in the overhead lockers.
But it did get us thinking about all the different “add-on” options airlines are charging for these days – and whether any of them are actually worth the money.
From priority boarding to lounge access and extra legroom, we’ve rounded up some of the perks we don’t mind spending the extra dollars on.
Priority boarding and skipping lines
Skipping queues became a talking point recently when Sydney Airport introduced a new Fast Track pass that would allow travellers to skip the airport security line for a cost of $20.
Skipping the line to get on the plane first, meanwhile, is usually a perk reserved for high-level frequent fliers. But there are some airlines that offer priority boarding as an optional extra.
Paying for priority boarding or skipping queues is fairly common. Getty
AirAsia has an add-on that allows travellers to jump the general boarding queue and guarantees overhead bin space for carry-on luggage. It costs approximately $10 to $25 per sector.
Scoot (the low-Cost arm of Singapore Airlines) also has a BoardMeFirst perk that includes priority check-in (where available) and priority boarding, costing around $6 to $15 per flight sector.
Most full-service global airlines treat priority boarding as a non-negotiable status perk. However, Etihad Airways has an option to purchase a standalone Priority Access pass starting at roughly $US40 ($56). It gives you dedicated check-in counters, fast-track boarding, and priority baggage collection.
Priority luggage
Which brings us to the next option. Priority luggage is far less common, but something that could also definitely be worth the money.
AirAsia has an add-on called Xpress Baggage, where your checked bags receive a bright “Priority” tag at check-in. They are loaded last onto the aircraft and offloaded first meaning you’ll get your bag first at the carousel.
It costs about $10 to $25 per sector when added individually. Scoot also offers priority baggage for around $10 to $20 per flight sector.
Having your bag come out first at the carousel could be worth an extra $10. iStock
Vietjet is another carrier where passengers can add Priority Baggage Handling to a standard Deluxe/Economy booking at a cost of $8 to $15 per flight sector.
When it comes to Aussie airlines, Rex (Regional Express) allows passengers of any fare class to purchase a Priority Baggage add-on for $5.50 per kilogram. However, it is less an offer for convenience and more in response to the fact the airline sometimes has to offload bags due to weight restrictions, weather or other factors.
Virgin Australia have an option to bundle both priority boarding and luggage by upgrading an Economy fare to an “Economy X” seat.
Travellers then get priority boarding, extra legroom, and dedicated overhead locker space. Prices generally range from $35 to $75+ per sector on domestic routes (and higher on short-haul international flights like New Zealand or Bali).
Lounge access
Paid airport lounge access has definitely shifted from a niche luxury to a mainstream travel add-on. For many economy travellers, buying walk-in lounge access during long stopovers is one of the most popular ways to beat airport fatigue.
“Being able to have a shower, eat and drink your fill without spending a fortune, and possibly find a comfy chair to curl up in for a nap is always worth it to me,” nine.com.au senior reporter Maddison shared when we polled the office about what add-ons they’d be willing to pay for.
Lounge access is something more and more travellers are willing to pay for. Supplied
Prices vary based on whether the lounge is an independent pay-per-use lounge (like Plaza Premium or Marhaba) or an airline flagship lounge (like Emirates or Qantas), with passes often sold in three-four hour blocks.
At major transit hubs like Singapore or Dubai, a sit-down meal, two drinks and a coffee at an airport terminal restaurant can easily cost $45 to $60 per person.
So paying $65 to $80 for unlimited food, alcohol, Wi-Fi and a shower in a quiet lounge makes the “math” work quickly for layovers over three hours.
At the top end of the scale is something like the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai that offers paid access for economy at a cost of approximately $270.
Seat selection and extra legroom
Gone are the days (for the most part) of being able to choose your seat for free on a flight. Most airlines will charge a fee for passengers to be able to choose where they want to sit.
Though that fee varies significantly between carriers and can cost anywhere between $5-$20 on a low-cost short-haul flight to $30-$50 on an international flight with full-service airlines.
Seat selection is a non-negotiable for many travellers. Getty
If you’re someone who needs extra legroom, those seats can come in anywhere between $50 to $200+ on major airlines.
Despite this, personally, seat selection is something I will pay for on any flight – generally, no matter how much. Your seat is what can make or break a flight, so for me, it is the most important part of the booking process.
And plenty of my colleagues agreed.
“I always pay for extra leg room and ensure an aisle seat,” Nic said. “You do it early enough, you forget you’ve paid for it by the time you fly, and if you don’t, you regret it otherwise.”
At 180cm tall, Kahla also agreed she’d pay for it where possible. “Usually, I just cross my fingers for a bulkhead seat or at least an exit row,” she admitted.
Neighbour-free seats
These days, airlines are taking seat selection a step further, by offering add-ons that give passengers the option of removing unwanted seat neighbours entirely.
Qantas was the first Aussie airline to introduce the Neighbour Free seat in 2023, giving travellers the option of booking not only their own seat on an upcoming flight, but also reserve the seat next to them to remain empty.
The cost of the empty seat next to you varies for each flight and can range from $30 to $65 on top of your standard economy fare.
Qantas introduced neighbour-free seating in 2023. Qantas
Virgin Australia then introduced neighbour-free seating in 2025, which gives passengers the option to bid to keep the seat next to them free. Bids start at $30.
The trend is catching on, with United Airlines announcing in July it would introduce a new premium economy option on its new A321XLR jets that comes with a permanently empty middle seat with a fixed table. For a cost of $US40 ($56).
United Airlines announced it would scrap the middle seat for some passengers. United
A whole row to yourself
Why pay for one single spare seat when you can guarantee a whole row to yourself?
That’s what Air New Zealand’s famous Skycouch offers, where a row of three economy seats can be turned into a flat couch surface.
Skycouch prices vary depending based on flight demand, booking class in the itinerary and the number of people using the Skycouch. That makes it the best value for families. Three people on a ticket can expect to pay between $150-$300 for the use of the Skycouch.
Solo travellers will, of course, have to pay more to guarantee the whole row.
Air New Zealand’s Skycouch is a popular option for families. Air New Zealand
Etihad Airways also offers the chance to place a bid to have a whole row to yourself with its economy Neighbour-Free program.
Bids close 35 hours before departure, and success depends on cabin availability at boarding, with priority given to frequent flyers.
In-flight Wi-Fi
Staying connected while in the air is another new addition to many flights, as technology improves.
While some full-service airlines offer free in-flight Wi-Fi, others reserve that perk for business class passengers only and offer it as an add-on purchase for others.
Jetstar announced earlier this year it would add Wi-Fi on its new long-haul aircraft.
Not everyone is convinced paying for Wi-Fi is worth it, though.
“I never pay for Wi-Fi,” Nic said. “Flying is about working out how to fill the time minus internet!”
Indeed, it seems airlines aren’t going to stop finding ways to monetise our convenience and stress levels. So it’s up to passengers to decide when that cost is worth it.
