Real reason behind Jetstar’s baggage charges revealed
Travellers may have been shocked this morning to wake up and see Jetstar announce a new charge for overhead baggage storage, but one aviation expert says there’s a good reason the airline has made the change.
The new scheme replaces Jetstar’s 7kg carry-on weight limit, with the airline saying it will no longer be weighing carry-on luggage at check-in.
From February next year, overhead storage will cost extra on a Jetstar flight. iStock
From February 2, 2027, all Jetstar bookings will include storage for one under-seat bag “such as a backpack, handbag, or laptop bag”, measuring up to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
Customers bringing more luggage into the cabin will have to pre-purchase one of a limited number of Priority Carry-on spots, which will include overhead locker storage for a second, larger bag, and the chance to be among the first on board.
The cost will start at $25 on a one-way flight and will scale up depending on which flight is booked, with a list of examples provided by Jetstar topping out at $52 for a one-way flight from Cairns to Tokyo.
Swinburne University aviation expert Salim Hijazeen said rather than an opportunity to sting passengers for extra payments, the change should be viewed in line with low-cost airlines’ fee-for-service structures.
“Jetstar has generally been able to offer lower fares because passengers only pay for the services they actually need,” he said.
“This is no different in principle to paying extra for seat selection or checked baggage. It’s another example of the low cost/value-based carrier model.”
Passengers are asked to keep their overhead bags to 10kg or under so they can easily lift them, and within the given dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
Sizing units will be available at airports and boarding gates to ensure bags fit comfortably within the underseat and overhead locker spaces.
People who arrive at the airport with a bag too large for the underseat can purchase Priority Carry-on space before boarding, or buy a checked baggage slot.
But people are advised to sort their luggage options ahead of time if possible.
There will be no changes to checked baggage rules, while an adult travelling with an infant will be allowed space for a second under-seat bag of baby items at no extra cost.
Customers who have existing bookings already in place for February 2 or later next year will receive a one-time automatic Priority Carry-on upgrade for free, Jetstar said.
The airline said it had based the new policy on feedback from customers and staff, who said that weighing bags at the counter was time-consuming and frustrating.
“It’s true that some flights are delayed because cabin crew are trying to find space in the overhead lockers, and even small delays can have a knock on effect across the rest of the day’s schedule,” Hijazeen said.
Low-cost airlines run on a fee-for-service system. Supplied/Qantas Group
“Better compliance at the gate with carry-on baggage limits can also help, so it will be interesting to see whether this change actually reduces turnaround times and improves operational performance.”
But he said it would remain to be seen whether customers backed the new policy or not.
“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,” Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully 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.”
Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner, managing director of Flight Centre Australia, pointed out that plenty of overseas low-cost carriers already charge overhead baggage fees.
“It’ll be interesting to see how people react to this because it is an extra charge,” he told Today.
But unlike bargain international carriers that pile fees on top of incredibly low fare prices, Australian flights are already much more costly.
“We don’t quite have the low airfares that you might expect,” Turner said.
That’s partly due to the duopoly market structure of the domestic airline industry, which makes it easier for airlines to increase fares and introduce new charges without much competition.
Turner was also sceptical about how Jetstar staff would check if customers had paid for overhead baggage, and said that could cause delays at the gate.
“Overhead baggage, it’s a bit of a circus now trying to find space.”
