Jetstar will charge its passengers up to $52 to put carry-on baggage in the overhead locker, in a major change to the budget airline’s carry-on rules.

In a press release on Wednesday morning, the airline announced it would remove the 7kg weight limit for carry-on bags, beginning in February 2027. There will still be size restrictions.

The change follows extensive research and feedback from customers and crew who consistently identified having bags weighed at the gate and struggling to find room in overhead lockers as the more stressful parts of the airport experience, the airline said.

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

Instead, all bookings will include one underseat bag such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag.

Customers who need more carry-on baggage can pay a “Priority Carry-on” fee, which includes a second, larger bag for the overhead locker and the opportunity to be among the first to board. Prices depend on the flight: $25 for Launceston to Sydney, $33 Sydney to Melbourne, and up to $52 for Cairns to Tokyo.

The size-based carry-on baggage model is “similar to other leading low-fares carriers around the world”, the airline said.

“From February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on,” Tully said.

“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.”

Jetstar will no longer routinely use cabin baggage scales but will still ask customers to keep carry-on bags to 10kg so they can safely lift it themselves.

Customers travelling with an infant will be able to take an extra underseat bag for their baby items, at no extra cost.

The underseat bags can be up to 40 × 30 × 20cm and overhead bags can be up to 56 × 36 × 23cm.

There are no changes to Jetstar’s checked baggage allowance, which remains purchasable for up to 40kg per passenger.