Aug 7, 2026
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Add us on GoogleJetstar Airways is already one of the more divisive carriers in the skies. The Australian discount carrier is routinely debated online, with backers pointing to its fares — which can be lower than competitors, but aren’t always — while detractors note frequent delays and the carrier’s habit of charging for pretty much any onboard services.
Those detractors have a new arrow in their quill now, as the airline plans to start charging passengers who use the overhead bin to stow carry-on luggage, starting in February 2027.
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“From next year, all bookings will include one underseat bag such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag,” the carrier wrote. “Customers who need more carry-on baggage can pre-purchase Priority Carry-on, which includes a second, larger bag for the overhead locker and the opportunity to be among the first to board.”
The reason for the change
Jetstar says the decision to charge for overhead bin storage came following feedback from passengers and crew who cited having their bags weighed at the gate and looking for a place to put them made their flights more stressful.
“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” said CEO Stephanie Tully in a statement. “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. 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.”
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Not alone
While Jetstar’s new policy will only impact flyers in the Australia region, several U.S. carriers have a similar fee. Frontier Airlines charges for the use of overhead bins, as does Allegiant Air, which ranges from $10 to $75 per bag). And passengers who fly Basic Economy on United Airlines are only permitted to bring one personal item on board. Carry-on bags must be checked for a fee, which ranges from $50 to $75, depending on where you check it.
Airlines make a significant amount of money by charging for checked luggage. Last year, the industry saw overall revenues of more than $7.4 billion in the U.S. just from bag fees, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Over the past five years, the number has increased by 162%.
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Chris Morris is a veteran journalist with more than 35 years of experience at many of the internet's biggest news outlets. In addition to his activities as a writer, reporter and editor, Chris is also a frequent panel moderator and speaker at major conferences, including CES and South by Southwest.
