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Jet Airways is trying to change the concept of air travel in the domestic market.
From July 15, the airline is revising its baggage concept from weight to piece for domestic flights. In a communication, the airline said that the new baggage concept will apply to domestic bookings from Friday although its implementation will begin from July 15.
For travel after July 15, the airline will allow one free check-in baggage weighing not more than 15 kg for economy class flyers and two bags not weighing more than 30 kg for business class flyers.
Currently, a passenger travelling in economy class by a domestic flight of Jet Airways is allowed 15 kg free baggage allowance. But there are no restrictions on the number of bags which can be checked in.
The latest move is keeping with what Jet Airways follows on some of its international flights and is expected to result in the airline being able to turn around its aircraft and start the return journey faster.
In line with global practice
The concept of a free baggage allowance based on the number of bags being checked in rather than weight is popular in the United States and Canada where each economy class traveller is allowed to check in only one piece of baggage.
Calling it a good move, Manoj Chacko, President, SOTC, Business Travel, felt that this will make things easier from an airline’s operational perspective. “Travellers will adjust. From an airline’s perspective, it makes things easier and simpler otherwise there are always problems about (passengers) arguing about the weight of the bag, etc. From an operational perspective it is a brilliant move,” he said.
Chacko is of the opinion that this will help push up ancillary revenues for the airline without creating confusion in the mind of customers.
John Nair, Head-Business Travel, Cox & Kings, pointed out that the move is in line with global practices and it will benefit the airline. “Initially, domestic travellers will be inconvenienced and will end up paying for excess baggage. However, it is up to the airline to educate customers on this new baggage concept and smoothen the entire exercise,” Nair said.
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