Traveling light

These days, airline passengers are encouraged to travel light and not just as an incentive to get lower fare but for environmental concerns as well. Less baggage weight means less fuel consumed which means lower carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Traveling light is also one of the many ways to offset carbon emissions brought about by travel.

More airlines are now giving incentives for passengers traveling light. For instance, there’s Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite promo which offers Php200 less for passengers with no check-in baggage. According to Cebu Pacific, it’s their way of “…returning the favor. Travelling light burns less fuel and less fuel means more savings for the airline, which we pass on to you as a fare discount.”

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has also its EconoLight Class dubbed as their “No-Frills budget flight” where they offer lower airfare along with some travel conditions (no meals, no mileage accrual, limited seats, etc.) among them the limited free baggage allowance which is down to 15 kgs per passenger instead of the usual 20 kgs. PAL Mabuhay Miles Million Miler/Premier Elite/Elite and SportsPlus members who are on EconoLight Class will have no additional free baggage allowance.

Thus, we’ll be seeing the future of air travel with lightweight hand-carried items and fewer check-in baggages. Travelers will now be considering other ways and options to have lighter baggage such as bringing only essential items for the trip. Traveling light also means taking with you less clothing and prioritizing lighter items than the bulky and heavier ones. Buying gifts and pasalubongs can also be done at Duty Free shops upon arrival instead of including them in your baggage which considerably adds up to the total baggage weight.

————

Read more about PAL EconoLight Class here.
Read more about Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite fares here.