Japan Airlines Trials Clothing Rental Service to Promote Sustainable Tourism

International travelers heading to Japan are being offered a convenient — and sustainable — way to dress for their visit.

On Wednesday (July 5), Japan Airlines (JAL) announced the launch of a rental clothing service called “Any Wear, Anywhere,” for foreign tourists and business travelers using JAL-operated flights.

Launched in collaboration with global trading company Sumitomo and available on a trial basis through August 2024, the rental service will allow passengers to order their outfit selection online ahead of their trip, selecting apparel ranging from formal wear to casual options depending on their size, season and occasion.

The rental clothes will be delivered to a hotel or Airbnb accommodation ahead of arrival and collected at the end of the visit to be washed and recycled.

Beyond the convenience of traveling light, the airline said the service will create environmental value for travelers keen on making a “sustainable choice” and will “promote the concept of a circular economy” as all clothing items will be obtained from excess stock of apparel and pre-owned clothing.

“JAL will monitor changes in passengers’ checked-in baggage weight and verify the reduction effect of carbon dioxide emissions by reduced airplane weight due to use of the service,” the airline said.

PYMNTS research finds that leisure travel is one of the last discretionary purchases consumers are willing to give up as they deal with inflation. This search for escape contributed double-digit growth in lodging and travel spending seen this year.

But with ticket prices rising and budget airlines experimenting with routes, some travelers may be looking to other options, such as the good old-fashioned road trip.

In a recent interview with PYMNTS, Jennifer Young, co-founder and chief marketing officer at digital RV marketplace Outdoorsy, talked about the wave of customers seeking vacations that involve taking to the open road.

“When we look at summer 2023 against 2022, which was a record summer for us, we’re currently outpacing it. Overall, revenue is up, and bookings are up.”

Young added that Outdoorsy has enjoyed the benefits of the “bleisure travel” trend, which marries business travel with leisure vacations.