Jetstar Airways to remove 7kg carry-on baggage limit from February 2027

Effective 2 February 2027, Jetstar passengers will no longer be subject to the airline's 7kg carry-on weight limit. Instead, the airline will introduce a size-based baggage model.

Jetstar will remove its 7kg carry-on baggage weight limit from 2 February 2027, replacing it with a size-based carry-on model aimed at making the airport experience simpler.

Under the new policy, every Jetstar Airways booking will include one underseat bag, such as a backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. Passengers who require more cabin baggage can purchase Priority Carry-on, which includes a second, larger bag for the overhead locker as well as priority boarding.

According to the airline, the changes follow extensive research and feedback from both customers and crew, who identified having carry-on bags weighed at the boarding gate and competing for overhead locker space as some of the more stressful parts of travelling.

Stephanie Tully, CEO, Jetstar, said the new model is intended to make packing and boarding easier for customers.

“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.

According to Tully, the new approach is expected to optimise overhead locker space, streamline boarding, and help improve on-time departures.

What's changing from 2 February 2027?

Under the new policy:

• Every Jetstar Airways booking will include one underseat bag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm at no extra cost.
• Passengers who need additional cabin baggage can purchase Priority Carry-on, which allows one overhead locker bag measuring up to 56 x 36 x 23cm and includes priority boarding.
• Jetstar will no longer routinely use cabin baggage scales. However, passengers are encouraged to keep their carry-on baggage to 10kg so they can safely lift it into the overhead locker themselves.
• Customers travelling with an infant will be able to bring one additional underseat bag for baby items at no extra charge.

Priority Carry-on will remain subject to availability and starts from AUD$25 one way on selected routes. Prices vary depending on the destination, with examples including:

• Launceston to Sydney from AUD$25.
• Adelaide to Brisbane from AUD$26.
• Sydney to Melbourne from AUD$33.
• Perth to Bali (Denpasar) from AUD$39.
• Cairns to Tokyo (Narita) from A$52.

There are no changes to Jetstar's checked baggage policy, with checked baggage continuing to be available for purchase of up to 40kg per passenger.

The airline also confirmed that customers with existing Jetstar Airways (JQ) bookings for travel on or after 2 February 2027 will automatically receive a complimentary upgrade to include Priority Carry-on.

The new carry-on baggage model applies to all Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights departing from 2 February 2027, excluding group bookings of 10 or more passengers. The changes will not apply to Jetstar Japan (GK) operated flights.

For more information on Jetstar's baggage changes, click here.

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Images / Jetstar