Jetstar is not like traditional airlines, where passengers are given a free baggage allowance as part of their reservation. It is a low cost airline: nothing is included by default and every kilogram counts.
Carry-on Baggage: Number of items, weight and size limits
Jetstar’s policy is clear on this point. The cabin baggage allowance depends on the fare you purchased.
– With a Starter fare, the allowance is 2 items with a combined weight of 7 kg.
– Economy fares with a bundle and Business fares include a 14 kg allowance; if you have 7 kg, you can increase it to 14 kg by adding the “+7kg Extra Carry-On Baggage” option.
Specifically, carry-on baggage is divided into:
– One main item, which must fit in the overhead compartment and not exceed 56 cm (height) x 36 cm (width) x 23 cm (depth).
One small item (handbag, slim laptop bag, coat, umbrella, camera, duty-free purchases, or baby items), which must fit under the seat in front of you.
With a 14 kg allowance, you can bring two items: the main item (maximum 10 kg) and one small item. Even with a total of 14 kg, no single item may weigh more than 10 kg.
Important: Your carry-on allowance includes absolutely everything you bring on board, including your handbag and laptop. Carry-on baggage is inspected at the airport; if the weight limit is exceeded, fees will apply and the item may be checked as checked baggage.
Prohibited items and restrictions:
All carry-on baggage must undergo a security check at the airport. If prohibited items are detected, they will be confiscated and cannot be returned. This includes, in particular, weapons and sharp objects, as well as certain travel accessories that attach to airplane seats or block access to rows and aisles for safety reasons (particularly access to emergency exits).
If you are departing from an international terminal, be sure to check the restrictions on liquids, aerosols, gels, and powders, as well as the specific rules for spare lithium batteries, which must be carried in the cabin.
Checked Baggage: Allowances and official rates
Starter fares do not include any free checked baggage allowance. You can add up to 40 kg of checked baggage per passenger at the time of booking, after booking via Manage Booking, or at the airport. It’s always cheaper to add baggage at the time of booking than at the airport; adding it via Manage Booking costs a little more, and adding it at the airport remains the most expensive option.
Each passenger may purchase up to 40 kg of checked baggage in total, with no single piece exceeding 32 kg. Some fare bundles include a checked baggage allowance (typically 20 kg for the intermediate bundle and 30 kg for the most comprehensive bundle); the exact details depend on the fare selected and should be verified on the fare inclusions page.
Oversized luggage and bulky items:
Any baggage or item with a side longer than 100 cm is considered oversized, and a handling fee applies per item, in addition to the weight allowance. This includes sports equipment such as surfboards, skis, snowboards, and bicycles. A maximum of two oversized items is allowed per passenger per flight.
Strollers, car seats and wheelchairs:
Certain items can be checked for free and do not count toward the weight allowance (subject to size and weight restrictions) including strollers, travel cribs and wheelchairs.
Baggage fees at the airport:
If you arrive at the airport without having purchased a baggage allowance in advance, here are the official fees charged by Jetstar:
|
Flight Type |
Price for the first 20 kg (at the airport) |
Fee per additional kilogram |
| Domestic flights (Australia) | 120 AUD |
30 AUD/kg |
|
Domestic flights (New Zealand) |
120 NZD | 30 NZD/kg |
| International flights | 170 AUD / 170 NZD / 112 USD |
50 AUD/NZD/SGD per kg |
| Flight Type | Price for the first 15 kg (at the airport) | Fee per additional kilogram |
| Domestic Flights (Japan) | 4 600 JPY | 1 000 JPY/kg |
| International Flights (Japan) | 6 500 JPY | 2 000 JPY/kg |
These airport fees apply to checked baggage that has not been pre-purchased; the rule remains the same: it’s cheaper online and more expensive at the counter.
Excess carry-on baggage: fees at the airport
If your carry-on baggage exceeds the allowed allowance:
At the check-in counter, you can either purchase a checked baggage allowance or add the “+7kg Extra Carry-On Baggage” option (subject to availability and route) to bring up to 14 kg in the cabin. The fee for this +7kg option at the counter is 60 AUD/NZD for a domestic flight and 85 AUD/NZD (or equivalent) for an international flight.
At the boarding gate, if the +7kg option is sold out, or if your total baggage weight exceeds 14 kg, or if a single item weighs more than 10 kg, or if you have more than 2 items, excess baggage fees will apply and the item will be checked as hold luggage. These fees at the boarding gate are 125 AUD for an Australian domestic flight and up to 175 AUD for an international flight.
Lost, damaged, or delayed baggage:
If your baggage is lost, damaged, or delivered late, you should report the issue directly at the airport before leaving the baggage claim area so that a Mishandled Baggage Report can be filed. This document is the basis of any subsequent compensation claim. You can then check your claim status online via Manage Booking or by calling customer service.