Jetstar increases its carry-on baggage limit allowing passengers to avoid huge fees by ‘topping up’

Jetstar has increased its carry-on baggage limit to 14kg allowing passengers to pack more without paying exorbitant fees.

The Australian airline launched their carry-on top-up option on Wednesday, which enables customers to ‘top up’ their weight allowance for $19.

While all starter fares include carry-on baggage limits of 7kg, travellers can save money by pre-purchasing additional carry-on luggage at the time of their online booking to avoid an excess fee of $50 at the airport. 

A Jetstar spokesperson said: ‘As part of our online booking process we encourage customers to consider what they will be taking with them on their trip and to purchase additional baggage at this point when prices are lowest.’

The launch aims to help more customers speed up their travel by skipping checking in baggage and having to collect it at the arrivals carousel. 

Jetstar introduced its first paid carry-on option in 2018 allowing travellers to boost their carry-on by 3kg to 10kg. 

The new allowance replaces this option and is available on domestic and some international flights.

The number of top-ups available will be capped due to storage limitations so customers wishing to purchase extra luggage are advised to do so in advance.        

Airline rules state the bag must fit in the overhead lockers and be no bigger than 56cm (height) x 36cm (width) x 23cm (depth).

The shift steps Jetstar in line with Qantas’s current baggage allowance which enables passengers to take 14kg carry-on on all domestic flights.   

The new option allows 2kg more than budget airline competitor Tiger Air. 

Club Jetstar members will receive a 20 per cent discount when they purchase the top-up as part of their flight booking.

Customers are advised to book additional carry-on luggage in advance as numbers will be capped (stock image)