Letters | New HK Express fare option gives travellers more choice

Readers discuss the benefits of HK Express’ new baggage policy, why now might be the best time to reconsider the 2014 universal suffrage proposal, the need to foster intellectual curiosity, and the challenge of waste-reduction efforts

Reading Time:3 minutes

A passenger handles luggage at an HK Express counter at Hong Kong International Airport on May 8. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 11:30am, 20 May 2024

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Earlier this month, HK Express announced changes to its cabin baggage policy. Passengers travelling on the “Ultra Lite” option (that is, the cheapest fare) are only entitled to bring on board a personal item of up to 7kg, which must be stowed under the seat in front of the passenger.

While some critics say that HK Express is trying to squeeze every revenue dollar from passengers, I take a slightly different view. According to the carrier’s announcement, the objective of this change is to allow passengers to travel “according to their travel needs and reduce unnecessary expenses”.

I agree with this statement. Passengers do need hand-carry luggage, especially those who travel for leisure over a few days. However, some passengers simply don’t need it. I myself, for example, would travel short-haul for work. A backpack is all I need if the trip is just one or two days. To me, the cheapest fare perfectly meets my needs.

From a customer service perspective, this is a welcomed change because passengers with cabin luggage can be assured that there will be space on the overhead bin when they board the aircraft.

From the carrier’s perspective, the biggest operating expense is fuel, and the primary factor that affects fuel consumption is the payload on the aircraft. Most airlines assume an average passenger weighs between 75kg and 100 kg for calculation of payload, which then translates into the amount of fuel to be used for that particular flight.