Airlines offer clothing rental services to passengers to reduce carbon emissions from flights

• Japan Airlines will launch a new clothing rental service to help passengers reduce luggage weight and reduce carbon emissions;
• Travelers can choose from a variety of clothing, with prices starting at just over $27 for two bottoms and three tops;
• Travelers must book this service one month in advance, and the clothing will be available for up to two weeks.

One of the most stressful things about traveling is packing. But what if you could just book your flight and the packing part—picking, sorting, folding, and packing your clothes into your suitcase—was included with your ticket?

Japan Airlines has taken the concept of "packing light" to a new level with the launch of a new clothing rental service. According to Travel + Leisure, the service allows travelers visiting Japan to rent a number of outfits, with prices starting at just over $27 for two bottoms and three tops.

JAL said: "With more and more people flying again after the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent emphasis on the concept of sustainable development, a movement to promote sustainable tourism is emerging around the world."

Wefabrik offers a range of seasonal clothing in different sizes and styles, from casual to smart casual. Travelers can rent up to eight outfits for up to two weeks. The service is designed to reduce luggage weight, reduce carbon emissions, and save travelers the hassle and time of packing and washing clothes. The service also allows travelers to try out new clothes without the pressure of buying.

Sumitomo Corporation will be responsible for ordering, shipping and washing the clothing collected from inventory and second-hand goods. JAL will record the reduction in luggage weight and the corresponding carbon emissions after using the clothing rental service and inform customers.

According to Simple Flying, Japan Airlines said that for every kilogram of weight saved on a flight from Tokyo to New York, the aircraft's carbon emissions will be reduced by 0.75 kilograms.

"Travelers increasingly want to be more sustainable in their travel destinations, accommodations, transportation, and more, but their current options are insufficient. For example, most travelers now prefer to eat at restaurants in their travel destinations and stay in local hotels, but they generally bring their own clothing from home," the release said.

To use the service, passengers need to register online and provide a JAL reference number and the address of the apartment or hotel where they are renting. Passengers must make reservations one month in advance and can use the clothing for up to two weeks.

JAL also said: "The concept of this service is to create environmental value by providing clothing rental services at tourist destinations to minimize passengers' travel luggage. By expanding the use of this service, we aim to enable passengers to choose local services in all aspects of food, clothing, housing and transportation, thereby making tourism and business travel more sustainable."

Source: World Economic Forum

Cristen Hemingway Jaynes

EcoWatch Contributor