For those always looking to save money on flights and go with the least expensive fare class option (as in, most of us), fitting what one needs on a trip into an airline’s baggage weight constraints remains a perennial issue.
While there is some variation between airlines, the standard for U.S.-based carriers on international flights is 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per suitcase for international flights in economy and 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for business class. Across Delta (DAL) , United Airlines (UAL) and American Airlines (AAL) , changing one’s weight limit from 50 to 70 pounds on an international flight costs an additional $100.
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To promote a route that is particularly popular with its Australian travelers, Solomon Airlines, the flag carrier of the Solomon Islands, is offering passengers in all fare classes 40 kilograms (just over 88 pounds) of weight for their checked suitcase on its Sunday IE707 flight between Australia’s Brisbane and its capital of Honiara.
Airline to promote popular route with increased baggage limit
While this is already the standard for business travelers with Solomon Airlines, economy class on most flights will get only 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
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The Brisbane-Hairara route is particularly popular among Australians going on holiday, and Solomon Airlines is marketing its “Sunday Shopping” sale as a way for tourists to bring back more local trinkets, foods and other souvenirs from their vacation to the Solomon Islands.
The new baggage requirement will apply for all flights IE707 going forward, even if passengers booked them before the promotion was available.
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‘We know how important it is for you to bring back personal items’
“We know how important it is for you to bring back personal items, gifts, and necessities for your loved ones without worrying about extra costs,” the airline writes of the sale. “That’s why we’re excited to make your weekend shopping trips even more convenient and cost-effective.”
The increased baggage requirement is also being marketed to seasonal workers who move between Australia and the Solomon Islands during the tourist off-season, as well as local residents who regularly fly to Australia for work or family reasons (Brisbane is a three-hour, 10-minute flight away, while flying to Sydney takes four hours).
“Understanding and responding to the needs of our passengers is key to our strategy,” the airline said in a further statement. “This additional 10kg allowance is our way of showing our commitment to a more customer-centric and cost-effective travel experience.”
Over in the U.S., the airline with by far the most generous baggage limit is currently Southwest Airlines (LUV) .
The Dallas-based carrier offers every passenger, regardless of fare class, two suitcases of up to 50 pounds each. But a perk that earned it many customers’ loyalty over the years is one of the many things currently under scrutiny as investor Elliott Investment Management has instigated a proxy battle to oust current CEO Bob Jordan over what it sees as his inefficient money-management that caused the airline to slip into unprofitability.
If shareholders agree with Elliott’s efforts to vote out Jordan in a meeting set for Dec. 10, major cost-cutting efforts and crackdowns on such perks are almost certain.
