Less weight means less fuel consumption for aircraft. Thus, airlines encourage travelers to carry less luggage to save on fuel costs.
Japan Airlines is pilot-testing a service that helps passengers travel light. JAL customers can fly without bringing their clothes until August 2024.
Of course, JAL flyers won’t be naked aboard. Clothing rental “Any Wear, Anywhere” will provide a selection of clothes that JAL customers can choose from at their hotel for $34 to $48.
AWA manager Miho Moriya said JAL may continue the service if, at the end of the trial period, it results in fuel use reduction and aircraft emission, with the carbon footprint from clothes deliveries and laundering factored in, according to CNN.
Swiss Air had a lighter way of transporting passengers.
An SA flight from Zurich to Bilbao, Spain took off last 9 September. Upon arrival in Bilbao, the passengers got agitated waiting for more than two hours at the airport terminal conveyor belt for their luggage that did not appear. SA staff also could not tell where their bags were, adding to their stress.
Some passengers said the pilot apologized for the delay but did not explain why. Then, the staff from Spanish airline Iberia informed the angry passengers that the plane had landed with no luggage on board, Euronews reported.
Airline spokesperson Kavin Ampalam confirmed that the SA flight from Zurich took off without the passengers’ luggage due to a lack of crew to handle them.
The pilot was rushing to pick up passengers in Bilbao, so the plane took off without the baggage to be able to fly back to Zurich before the airport’s closing time of 11 p.m., according to Euronews. WJG @tribunephl_wjg