Are LCC checked baggage charges “fines imposed by the earth on travelers”?
Table of contents
1：Low-cost carrier (LCC) deposit baggage charges
2：The impact of heavy checked baggage on climate change
3：Will full-service airlines (FSAs) follow the LCCs?
4：The challenges of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)
1：Low-cost carrier (LCC) deposit baggage charges
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have achieved low operating costs by offering only the minimum necessary services and have been able to provide air transport services at lower fares compared to full-service airlines (FSAs). They are also known for charging for checked baggage.
For Japanese and Asian LCCs, one-way charges for 20 kg of checked baggage to Japan range from JPY 3,200 to JPY 3,700 (at the time of booking the ticket), as LCCs are aware that carrying extra checked baggage increases fuel costs.
20 kg checked luggage fee (one way to Japan, Yen)
Peach Tigerair Taiwan Hong Kong Express Scoot Departure country Taiwan Taiwan Hong Kong Singapore At time of booking 3,400 3,700 3,200 3,520 If purchased after the ticket has been issued 3,940 4,600 4,000 4,320
However, the carriage of heavy checked baggage by aircraft not only consumes extra fuel but also hurts climate change by emitting additional carbon dioxide emissions. Deposit baggage charges may therefore be seen as a ‘fine from the earth’ for travelers who fly with heavy baggage.
2：The impact of heavy checked baggage on climate change
As commented in “Sustainable travel by reducing luggage“, the carbon footprint of checked baggage (20 kg) is significant. Compared to carbon dioxide emissions per passenger, the carbon footprint of checked baggage (20 kg) is between 15% and 35%, depending on the distance flown.
Distance from Narita Airport from major cities and carbon dioxide emissions
Distance from Narita Airport (round trip, km) CO2 emissions (kg) Per One Passenger Per Checked Baggage (20 kg) USA (Washington) 21,684 785 261 Canada (Toronto) 20,594 749 248 Italy (Rome) 19,776 781 238 France (Paris) 19,416 815 234 UK (London) 19,170 784 231 Germany (Frankfurt) 18,730 675 226 Australia (Melbourne) 16,344 875 197 Russia (Moscow) 14,990 685 180 India (Delhi) 11,812 693 142 Indonesia (Jakarta) 11,668 620 140 Singapore (Singapore) 10,708 588 129 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) 10,812 550 130 Thailand (Bangkok) 9,292 538 112 Vietnam (Hanoi) 7,436 429 90 Philippines (Manila) 6,096 388 73 Hong Kong (Hong Kong) 5,922 417 71 Taiwan (Taipei) 4,362 313 53 China (Beijing) 4,268 338 51 South Korea (Seoul) 2,510 201 30 Average 12,399 591 149
Note: Emissions per passenger for Rome, London, and Moscow are data from Haneda Airport. Emissions per passenger are data from economy class
Sources: ICAO; ECTA; UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra); Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism
The carbon dioxide emission reductions achieved by not carrying 20 kg of checked baggage on board an aircraft are compared with the carbon dioxide emissions per capita in daily life. The per capita carbon dioxide emissions vary widely due to the flight distance to Japan and differences in lifestyles in different countries, but the reduction is equivalent to between 1 and 27 days.
Annual CO2 emissions per capita(t)
Total CO2 emissions CO2 emissions from daily life Canada 18.6 2.7 Australia 17.1 0.6 USA 15.5 1.7 Korea 11.9 1.0 Taiwan 11.7 1.4 Russia 11.4 1.0 Germany 9.4 1.7 Malaysia 8.7 0.2 Singapore 8.6 0.1 China 7.4 0.4 Hong Kong 6.5 0.2 Italy 5.9 1.1 UK 5.6 1.1 France 5.1 1.2 Thailand 3.9 0.1 Vietnam 2.2 0.2 Indonesia 2.0 0.1 India 1.9 0.1 Philippines 1.2 0.1 Average 8.1 0.8
Sources: Worldometer; World Bank Data
Reduction in CO2 emissions per capita without checked baggage (20 kg) (round trip)
Reduction in total CO2 emissions Reduction in CO2 emissions from daily life (days) (days) India 27 495 Indonesia 25 494 Philippines 22 316 France 17 71 UK 15 80 Vietnam 15 187 Italy 15 82 Thailand 10 372 Germany 9 49 USA 6 56 Russia 6 63 Malaysia 6 290 Singapore 6 415 Canada 5 34 Australia 4 113 Hong Kong 4 119 China 3 47 Taiwan 2 14 South Korea 1 12 Average 10 174
Sources: Worldometer; World Bank Data; UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra); Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; our calculations
3：Will full-service airlines (FSAs) follow the LCCs?
FSAs (also known as Full-Service Carriers) charge on the premise of providing full service, and many FSAs do not charge for checked baggage weighing up to 20 kg. Will FSAs charge for checked baggage in the future, as LCCs do?
Some FSAs, such as in Europe, have started charging for checked baggage – British Airways is in effect charging for checked baggage in the “Economy Basic” class. Compared to the “Economy Plus” class, which offers free baggage allowance, there is a difference of £14 between London and Paris (¥166/£2,324, the lowest fare on 25 January 2023) and £35 between London and Tokyo (¥166/£5,810, the lowest fare on 25 January 2023). The difference between the two is £35 between London and Tokyo (¥166/£5,810, lowest fare on 25 January 2023). This difference is effectively a charge for checked baggage.
British Airways air fares
| Departure | LHR (London) | LHR (London) |
| Arrival | CDG (Paris) | HND (Tokyo) |
| Class | Economy Basic | Economy Basic |
| Price | £54 | £493 |
| Note | Hand baggage only | Hand baggage only |
| Class | Economy Plus | Economy Standard |
| Price | £68 | £528 |
| Note | 1 x 23kg / 1 x 51lb checked baggage allowance | 2 x 23kg / 2 x 51lb checked baggage allowance |
| Price difference (Plus-Basic) | £14 | £35 |
European airlines other than British Airways have introduced similar fare structures, which may spread globally in the future.
4：The challenges of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)
The aviation industry aims to decarbonize by replacing jet fuel or aviation petrol with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). At the World Economic Forum, airlines, SAF producers, airline users, and others signed the “2030 Ambition Statement” (September 2021) aiming for a 10% SAF share by 2030.
Of course, we hope that technological innovation will eventually lead to the development of cheaper SAF and zero-warming gas emissions from airplanes, but what will be the impact on the planet before this is achieved?
For many people, “Travel” is “Big fun.” Unfortunately, in modern life, with the various advancements in civilization, humans have become a burden on the planet just by living a daily life. Very few people would say “I’ll stop traveling by plane” or “I’ll never travel abroad,” even though awareness of sustainable travel and the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). And It is also not realistic to suddenly eliminate logistics by air, such as imports and exports, across national borders.
If you want to travel abroad but know that flying has a big negative impact on the environment, why not at least get on a plane with only your weight? Just by leaving your clothes at home, you can reduce your burden on the planet.
Why not “fly light and rent what you need on the travel”? You can save on paying extra fees to the airline for heavy baggage and having a trip that has an even more negative impact on the environment. We believe that giving up heavy checked baggage means that travelers don’t have to give up any of their fun – and they can do their bit for the environment right now. If all the world’s travelers travel light, they will certainly be less of a “nuisance to the planet.” We invite you to consider using our rental service.