Why higher baggage fees actually improve your trip
When you’re thinking about the ways in which you could improve upon a holiday, your mind might turn to hotel upgrades, private tours or some sort of automated poolside cocktail machine. The last thing you’re probably thinking about is higher baggage fees.
But higher baggage fees might just be the thing that makes your next big trip more enjoyable. The reason? Well, it just so happens that if you’re paying more to check your baggage, you’re actually much more likely to arrive at your destination on time.
A recent study by the University of Kansas in the US, analysing average airline performance across a range of carriers, has drawn a link between the amount charged for baggage fees and the likelihood of a plane arriving on time. And while this may on the surface seem a little coincidental, there’s actually a little bit of science backing these links up.
The study found that flights with higher baggage fees are more likely to leave on time. The theory behind why this is actually the case, is linked to passenger behaviour.
Basically, higher baggage fees act as a deterrent for passengers to check luggage, instead bringing it onboard as carry on. As a result there’s much less work for the ground crew to do, and the likelihood of an avoidable delayed is significantly decreased.
Mazhar Arikan, a KU assistant professor of supply chain management in the School of Business, says, “Because passengers changed their behaviour, less weight went into the plane below the cabin. This offset any changes in carryon luggage, and it helped airlines improve their on-time departure performance. The below-the-cabin effect dominates the above-the-cabin effect.”
The study found that the biggest changes were observed at major hub airports, as they generally had to process the largest amount of checked bags. The study also found that airlines with higher baggage fees also posted a substantial drop in baggage-related passenger complaints.
So what’s your take? Would you be willing to pay higher fees for checked bags if you knew it was going to increase the likelihood of you getting to your destination on time?
Related links:
5 smart ways to prevent your luggage getting lost
8 common mistakes when packing checked-in luggage
How to ensure your bag is never misplaced