In mid-2024, oneworld member Japan Airlines (JAL) and Sumitomo Corporation will offer inbound tourists and business travellers to Japan the option of hiring clothes during their stays.
The pilot programme, which will run from July 5 to August 31, will measure the environmental value of leaving clothes at home, therefore checking in fewer items for flights.
Clothes will be available in a range of sizes and be collected and returned to the hotels where participants in the pilot programme will stay.
“With more and more people flying post-pandemic and with the recent emphasis in sustainability, there is a growing movement worldwide to promote sustainable tourism,” JAL said.
“JAL will monitor changes in the checked-in baggage weight of its passengers and verify the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from lower airplane weight due to the service.”
Travellers will need to enter their JAL flight booking reference when booking this service.
Reservations must be made at least one month in advance, and the clothes may only be borrowed for a maximum period not exceeding two weeks.
JAL Group airlines are currently operating more than 90 international flights a day. The airline’s global network includes flights to London’s Heathrow; Frankfurt, Paris; Helsinki; New York; Dallas; Chicago; Los Angeles; and San Francisco.