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Jetstar has signalled it could ditch weight-based cabin bag allowances, with a review into its baggage policy currently underway.
Speaking to news.com.au, Jetstar’s head of network and fleet, Ted Knight, said that the current policy – which allows passengers up to 7kg of cabin bags for free – could be updated to add more weight, or switch to a size-based allowance as seen on many US carriers.
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“Sometimes you’re walking up to the gate and you get that kind of gate anxiety and you’re not sure whether you weighed your bag correctly or if you forgot to weigh it,” he said.
“In our constant work really to just reduce pain points, to deliver a seamless experience, one part of our policy we’re looking at is our carry-on bags.
“We’re looking at different options between size and weight … at the moment it’s weight-based, we’re looking at different options for sizes.”
Jetstar currently allows a total of 7kg in cabin baggage on starter fares, shared across up to two items, including handbags and laptops, with passengers able to purchase an extra 7kg subject to availability.
The cabin bag weight allowance is a known bugbear for passengers, said Knight, and the review – still in its early stages – could recommend a change to bags by size, though the airline would need to consider issues including weight and balance of the aircraft itself.
“You know what size your bag is. Your bag doesn’t change size. It’s the same bag you’ve used every trip,” he said.
“So you’ve got that confidence in your bag and then once you pack your bag, you don’t know the weight it has become and that’s where you get the anxiety.”
The news comes soon after rival Virgin Australia changed its own cabin bag weight allowance. As of 2 February, guests in economy class are permitted one carry-on bag only with a maximum weight of 8kg, down from two bags with a maximum combined weight of 7kg, plus a personal item like a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
Passengers in Economy X and business class, as well as Gold, Forever Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus Velocity members, are allowed up to two bags at a maximum combined weight of 14kg, with neither bag over 8kg.
Qantas domestic flights allow either one bag of up to 10kg or two bags totalling no more than 14kg, neither of which can be above 10kg individually, plus one personal item; the exception is QantasLink Dash-8 flights, which allow one piece of carry-on baggage up to 7kg plus a personal item.
The major airlines have been increasing overhead bin space on new aircraft as part of their fleet renewal programs, with planes such as Virgin’s 737 MAX 8 and Embraer E190-E2, and Qantas’ A321XLR, offering more storage than older counterparts like the 737-800 and E190-E1.
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