澳洲捷星航空推随身行李费引争议

ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleHelen LivingstoneSydneyGetty ImagesJetstar's changes to its cabin baggage policy have provoked strong reactions from Australians onlineAustralians have responded with a mixture of outrage and support after budget airline Jetstar announced it would start charging for the use of overhead lockers.

From February the airline is scrapping its 7kg (15.4lb) limit on hand luggage. Instead all passengers will be allowed a smaller bag that can fit under the seat in front and the option to pay for space for a larger bag in the overhead locker and priority boarding.

The move comes after "extensive research and feedback" and is similar to the policies of other low cost airlines, Jetstar said.

It was met with a mixed response by social media users, with some asking whether the airline would also start charging customers to use the toilet.

In a statement Jetstar said prices for overhead luggage would start at A$25 ($18; £13) for shorter flights such as Launceston to Sydney, but could vary. A flight from Cairns to Tokyo for example would cost A$52.

A spokesperson for Jetstar told the BBC that the prices quoted were a "fair example" of what customers would have to pay for the hand luggage but that prices could rise "based on demand" and so could not be guaranteed.

When the BBC looked at flights from Sydney to Osaka the price quoted for carry-on was $60 each way.

The airline would no longer routinely weigh passengers' bags before boarding but asked that customers' keep their bags to 10kg in weight so they could lift it themselves, Jetstar said.

"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," Jetstar said.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the changes would "make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time."