Jetstar dumps weight-based cabin baggage rules

The move had first been hinted at in February, with Jetstar now saying customer and crew feedback has indicated weighing bags at the airport and finding room in overhead lockers are “themore stressful parts of the airport experience”.

“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” said Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully.

“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.

“Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.”

Priority Carry-on will start from $25 one-way on routes such as Launceston to Sydney, up to $52 from Cairns to Narita.

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While the airline will no longer “routinely” use cabin baggage scales, customers will still be asked to keep carry-on bags to 10kg so they can be safely lifted, while customers with infants will be able to take an extra underseat bag for baby items at no extra cost.

According to Swinburne aviation expert Salim Hijazeen, the charge should be “viewed through the lens of how low-cost airlines operate, rather than simply as another cost for travellers”.

“Jetstar has generally been able to offer lower fares because passengers only pay for the services they actually need. 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,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

Hijazeen said that the strategy’s success will depend on passenger response, noting that customers are likely to be “unhappy” with the additional cost, particularly on longer routes.

“Time will tell whether this was a smart commercial decision. If passengers continue booking Jetstar despite the additional fee, then the strategy will probably be considered a success,” he said.

“I don’t see full-service airlines introducing a similar model anytime soon. This type of product unbundling is much more consistent with the business model of low cost and value-based carriers, where keeping the headline airfare as low as possible is a key part of attracting customers.”

Virgin Australia updated its own carry-on allowances in February this year.