This Airline Will Charge Passengers For Stowing Bags In Overhead Bins In 2027

As much as budget airlines are great in theory, they're ultimately not as easy on the wallet as they market themselves to be. The additional fees are rampant, and Rick Steve's son exposed a sneaky detail to check before booking with a budget airline. If paying little for a ticket but spending a ton just to bring a carry-on wasn't bad enough, starting in 2027, Australia's Jetstar Airways will begin charging passengers for stowing bags in overhead bins.

Jetstar, which is based in Melbourne and flies to over 85 destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, was once considered one of the world's best budget airlines. It might be difficult to hang on to that public perception with this new baggage policy, known as Priority Carry-on. The airline's decision came after both passengers and crew members agreed that trying to find overhead space for luggage was the most stressful part of flying. "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," Jetstar CEO, Stephanie Tully, said in a statement. "You only pay for what you need – traveling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need," she added.

While the concept may be good, especially since fighting to find a spot for your luggage in those overhead bins can be really anxiety-inducing, adding another fee isn't likely to go over well with all travelers. After all, at what point do budget flights cease to be budget flights? At some point, the endless fees negate the whole budget-friendly selling feature.

Jetstar will officially implement this new carry-on baggage allowance option on February 2, 2027. While there will no longer be a 7-kilogram (15-pound) weight limit across all your carry-on luggage, there will be a 10-kilogram (22-pound) limit per bag. When you book your ticket, regardless of the class or fare type, you're guaranteed one underseat bag that can't exceed 40 x 30 x 20 cm (roughly 16 x 12 x 8 inches) — for example, a backpack, laptop bag, or purse. If you need more space for on-board luggage, you can opt for Priority Carry-on, which will allow you an overhead bag — in addition to your underseat bag — that can be no bigger than 56 x 36 x 23 cm (roughly 22 x 14 x 9 inches). This option also includes priority boarding, meaning you're one of the first to get on the plane.

Prices for Priority Carry-on will start at around $18 (25 AUD) one-way but can be higher, up to about $36 (52 AUD) depending on your flight route. It's also worth noting that if you book a carry-on for an overhead bin and it exceeds size and weight limits, meaning it needs to be checked, you won't be refunded by the airline "unless you are entitled to a refund under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law," per Jetstar's website. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out once it's put into effect. If all of this makes you feel a little dizzy, there are still plenty of airlines that offer free carry-on luggage.