Jetstar to charge new fees for using overhead lockers for carry-on
Jetstar will soon charge customers money for using overhead lockers on its aircraft, with prices starting from $23.
The Qantas-owned budget carrier said it was part of a change in its carry-on model, which included removing its 7-kilogram carry-on weight limit.
It would instead move to a size-based carry-on baggage model and a fee to use the overhead bins.
From 2 February 2027, all Jetstar bookings would include one underseat bag such as a backpack, handbag or laptop.
Those who needed more carry-on baggage would have to pre-purchase what the airline called Priority Carry-on.
The add-on would allow for a second larger bag for the overhead locker, and those passengers would be among the first to board.
Jetstar said the availability of Priority Carry-on would be limited, and would start at $23 one-way on selected flights and vary.
For example, Dunedin to Auckland one-way would start at $23, Christchurch to Wellington one-way would be from $28, and Auckland to Brisbane from $34.
"We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew," Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully said.
"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 also detailed its size limits for underseat and overhead bags.
Underseat bags would have to be up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, and overhead bags with Priority Carry-on would have to be up to 56 x 36 x 23cm.
"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," Tully said.
"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."
Jetstar said there were no changes to its checked baggage allowance.
It said customers with existing bookings for travel after 2 February 2027 would be upgraded to include Priority Carry-on at no cost.
Consumer watchdog, Consumer New Zealand, said Jetstar's plan to make passengers pay to use the overhead locker, reflects a lack of competition in the domestic aviation market.
Jon Duffy said more industries are charging more for something that was previously free.
"Really, it's a form of shrinkflation, so what Jetstar's done here is reduce what it's offering you and is now charging you more for something that was free before. So you're getting less for the same or more money."
He said New Zealand's limited choice of airlines flying domestic routes is also a factor.
"In our domestic airline market, there isn't a lot of competition, there's really just Jetstar and Air New Zealand.
"Jetstar probably knows that Air New Zealand is quite a lot more expensive so they can pull a move like this - charge you more for the same service and not worry too much about people leaving for the competitor because the competitor is that much more expensive".
Duffy said given Jetstar fares are usually a little bit lower, $23 could be up to 25 percent of a good fare.
"That's a decent increase. And most people would probably be taking a carry on piece of luggage for a domestic flight, because they're overnighting. Most people are not going to be able to avoid this extra charge."
Duffy said it would be difficult to find a hard-case bag that would fit under the seat, where the charge would not apply.
He said Consumer NZ has reviewed bags and could not find anything with wheels that would fit within the dimensions of an underseat bag.
"What we're really talking about here is a laptop bag, maybe a small backpack or a hand bag. That's what you'll get away with for free and anything more than that, you'll be charged $23 as the starting price".
