Groundbreaking environmental concept: Airline introduces clothing rental instead of checked baggage

Jul 23 2023 Travel trends

Airline companies worldwide are striving to reduce fuel consumption and the resulting environmentally harmful CO2 emissions by operating modern aircraft and adopting more eco-friendly flying practices. Japan Airlines has now found a completely innovative way to decrease its carbon footprint.

In collaboration with the Japanese fashion company Sumitomo, the airline is offering a clothing rental service to all visitors traveling to Japan on Japan Airlines flights. The motto is "Lighter luggage for fewer emissions!" The "Any Wear, Anywhere" service aims to encourage passengers to pack lighter, check in less baggage, and thereby reduce fuel consumption and the associated CO2 emissions.

Significant CO2 emissions can be saved if passengers travel with carry-on luggage

Passengers can now book the rental service in advance through the airline's website. They are required to provide their flight details, clothing size, duration of stay, and season at least one month in advance. The rented clothing will be directly delivered to the passenger's accommodation and will be ready upon their arrival in the country. Rental fees range from 4,000 to 7,000 yen (approximately 28 to 48 euros) depending on the number of garments. Passengers can rent up to eight pieces of clothing for a duration of up to two weeks.

According to Japan Airlines, every kilogram of weight reduction on a flight between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK) leads to a 0.75 kg reduction in the aircraft's carbon emissions. In comparison, an economy class passenger on a flight from Berlin Brandenburg airport to Palma de Mallorca airport causes a CO2 emission of 305 kilograms.

Rented clothing to replace luggage

The rented clothing consists of a combination of surplus brand stock and used garments. Outfits can be selected based on the season, size, formality, and color palette. The available styles include Slim, Smart Casual, and Mixed, with sizes ranging from Small to Large. The clothing will be delivered to the traveler's place of residence and collected at the end of the trip. Sumitomo hopes that this program will not only reduce aircraft carbon dioxide emissions but also contribute to reducing clothing waste and addressing the issue of so-called "fast fashion."

Initially, the service is limited to visitors arriving in Japan on Japan Airlines flights and will run until August 2024. If successful, the service may be expanded to other oneworld alliance airlines. Current oneworld members flying to Japan include American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines.