Kickstarter Hopes to Circumvent Low-Cost Carrier Baggage Limitations

The Airport Jacket carries up to 33 pounds of carry-on luggage without the bag.

Those who find themselves frustrated by low-cost carriers’ and basic economy carry-on luggage limitations may now have a solution, thanks to an Australian company trying to launch on Kickstarter. Named “The Airport Jacket,” the company claims they have devised a way to carry 33 pounds of baggage aboard an aircraft without the need for a traditional carry-on bag.

Although the garment doubles as both a jacket and bag, it can be adapted as the need requires. At the hotel or in the airport, the jacket can be converted into a duffel bag that fits in the space underneath an airline seat. When it comes time to board, the bag can be converted to a jacket, while keeping all of the luggage intact. After boarding, the jacket can be converted back into a bag, or continue to be worn by the passenger.

The jacket can be set at three different lengths, based on the needs of the traveler. Those who are traveling light can wear the jacket at waist length, with eight pockets and a carrying capacity of over six pounds. At the three-quarter length, the jacket features three additional large pockets and one detachable pouch pocket, with a carrying capacity of just under 20 pounds. At full length, the jacket expands to three more large pockets and a second detachable pouch pocket, with a total carrying capacity of 33 pounds.

With just over a month to go on the Kickstarter, low-cost flyers who want to be fashionable and frugal are not necessarily guaranteed a jacket yet. The project has only raised $3,200 of their $59,000 goal. Purchasing a jacket through the Kickstarter will cost $183.29, including shipping – a discount of over $100 from the retail price.

According to the project developers, the jacket is designed to help flyers “avoid excess baggage fees and eliminate the risk of lost luggage.” In the past, travelers have attempted to wear multiple layers to avoid those same fees, often with disastrous endings.

[Photo: Getty Images]