Creative young China fliers dodge airline luggage fees by wearing layers of clothes to become walking wardrobes
- Airlines enforce strict cost-cutting, imposing one small-bag allowance
- Travelling youth invent ingenious ‘budget airline fashion’ hacks
Young adults in China are dodging airline luggage fees by wearing all their clothes instead of packing them, much to the amusement of people on mainland social media.
Amid a post-pandemic travel industry boom, budget airlines in China have seen profits soar. Spring Airlines, for example, reported earnings of more than two billion yuan (US$280 million) in 2023.
Their success comes from stringent cost-cutting measures, such as no complimentary meals, narrower seating, and strict carry-on luggage limitations – typically allowing a small 16-inch suitcase with 7kg maximum weight.
Confronted with the restrictions, creative young mainland travellers have taken to social media to share their ingenious budget airline fashion tips.
To dodge extra baggage fees, they have turned themselves into walking wardrobes by wearing layers of clothes in a mix of styles, creating unique looks.