The Reasons Behind Chinese Clothes Layering Up Before Boarding Domestic Flights

People on the mainland find amusement on social media from young adults in China who wear all of their clothing rather than packing them to avoid paying airport fees for baggage. Following the epidemic, low-cost airlines in China have seen a substantial increase in revenues amid a boom in the tourism business.

For instance, in 2023, Spring Airlines declared a profit of more than two billion yuan (around Rs 23,34,20,60,000). Stricter cost-cutting tactics, such as giving up complimentary meals, narrowing seats, and tight limits on hand luggage—generally, a tiny 16-inch briefcase with a maximum weight of 7 kg is allowed—are responsible for their success. Due to these limitations, imaginative youth travelers from the mainland have taken to social media to provide their brilliant style advice for budget airlines.

They have resorted to switching up their clothes by donning many layers of clothing in a variety of designs, creating distinctive ensembles, in order to avoid paying more for luggage. In one instance, an individual layered six layers of fall and winter clothing—vests, shirts, and heavy jackets—on top of one another.

Another passenger, who was dubbed “rich and poor at the same time” for having so many expensive garments but yet wanting to save money on baggage, decked herself up in eight traditional Hanfu costumes for her journey to Australia. Some have experimented with unconventional packing techniques, such as stuffing U-shaped pillows with clothing so they may double as cozy cushions for the journey.

A fishing vest is a common option for handling the problem of carrying gadgets since it offers several compartments for storing papers, cords, and power banks. There is enough room in the rear pocket for two novels and an iPad, and the vest may hold a variety of skincare and beauty products. Even a 16-inch laptop may fit in the bigger sizes. On the Internet, the clothing item was dubbed the “ultimate trump card.” Someone remarked, “This can’t be told to the boss, or we won’t have the excuse’my computer isn’t here’ to avoid working overtime while on vacation.”