Crafty passengers saving hundreds of pounds
Soaring charges levied by airlines to check in suitcases have created a boom in sales of clothing with a multitude of pockets, says high street store Debenhams.
Instead of paying the huge fee for checking in luggage, passengers are packing essential items into coats and jackets – and leaving their suitcases at home.
The smart move can save a family up to £300 on a typical flight to a European hot spot.
Ed Watson, Debenhams Travel insurance said: “Why pay to put your suitcase in the hold when you can carry everything you need onto the aircraft for free?
“The money saved can go towards the cost of a top class hotel or a lavish meal at your favourite holiday destination.”
The crafty travellers’ trick was discovered when Debenhams noticed that sales of coats and jackets with extra pockets had increased by 135 per cent – at the height of summer.
The most popular jacket is a Rocha.John Rocha jacket designed with six substantially sized pockets.
Customers normally buy them for winter wear – but by making their purchases six weeks earlier, the clothes will pay for themselves in saved airline fees.
So great is the trend that industry experts are now calling it The Ryan Effect – named after budget airline boss Michael Ryan, who first introduced luggage charges to Britain.
Wearing essential items onto an aeroplane, rather than checking in extra luggage can add up to 15 lbs to each passenger’s average weight, Debenhams research shows.
Heavier items such as books, cameras and laptop computers – and even shoes, shirts and shorts – will all fit neatly into large pocketed garments.
The biggest sales of the multi pocket jackets came from Leeds, London, Newcastle and Aberdeen, closely followed by Dublin.
Ed Watson, Debenhams Travel insurance said: “Our sales assistants have even reported some customers coming in with specific items like net-books and paperbacks, to check if they will fit in the pockets before they buy the coat or jacket.
“With the right jacket and trouser combo you can gain up to 11 handy pockets to tuck away holiday essentials; but beware when reaching into pockets so those extra undies aren’t spotted on the floor of Terminal five.”
