Parents will be required to pay a fee of $30 on domestic flights, and a fee of $50 on international flights.
This change brings Jetstar in line with its low-cost competitor Tigerair, which has had an infant fee since 2009.
“Families travelling with infants on Jetstar can bring up to four over-sized items for their holiday as part of the infant fee, including a pram, stroller, portable cot, and highchair,” a Jetstar spokesperson told New Corp.
“These items are often over-sized so cannot be handled like standard baggage. Like other over-sized items, there is additional manual handling and equipment required for over-sized infant items like prams.
“We know that fees and charges can be unpopular, but giving customers [the] choice and charging each customer for what they actually need helps us to offer the lowest possible fares, every day.”
Parents now have to pay $30 to hold their babies on their laps during flights with Jetstar. #7News pic.twitter.com/i6VyjKdDTb
— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) May 15, 2017
How do other airlines stack up?
It seems that while Jetstar and Tigerair have introduced a fee, Virgin Australia and Qantas do not charge a fee for infants to travel on domestic flights.
There are also a number of differences between the airlines when it comes to check-in and carry-on baggage allowances.
Qantas and Tigerair allow the check-in of one over-sized item free of charge, but no carry-on luggage.
The stand out in this department was Virgin Australia, who not only allow unlimited over-sized items such as prams, strollers, car seats, and highchairs, but also a 7kg carry-on bag for baby products such as baby milk, sterilised water, baby food, and disposable wipes.
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