Passenger Hailed a 'Genius' Over Hack to Avoid Paying Excess Baggage Fee

A woman has revealed a unique way she was able to carry extra clothes on board a plane, without paying a fee.

Anyone who's flown knows there are two types of luggage, checked bags and hand baggage, with restrictions on the weight and dimensions of both.

Most of us will have fallen foul of either limit, seeing us frantically ditching items or putting on sweaters to try and avoid paying any excess luggage fee.

But one woman came up with a nifty idea to bring half her wardrobe on her person by stuffing it down her top, after buying a large bra.

Ilo shared a clip to her TikTok account, @il0_naa, last month, where, in the comments, she revealed that she was flying with the airline Vueling.

Air travel has bounced back after the industry all but ground to a halt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a report revealing as of June, global traffic was up 76.2 percent, when compared with 2021.

Willie Walsh, IATA's director general, noted: "Demand for air travel remains strong. After two years of lockdowns and border restrictions people are taking advantage of the freedom to travel wherever they can."

Vueling, which flies to more than 100 destinations, claims customers can find "cheap flights" on its website.

As people return to vacations following years of lockdowns, low-cost no-frills airlines have emerged as popular options among holidaymakers.

A report from Airlines for America said that 15 percent of domestic air travelers in America used an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC)—namely Frontier, Sun Country, Spirit and Allegiant—in 2021.

Flight Global said in a report that the ULCCs have been "particularly successful in the pandemic environment," as their model includes "charging rock-bottom fares supplemented by ancillary fees for various add-ons like priority boarding, seat selection and extra luggage."

The chart below, provided by Statista, shows popularity of low-cost carriers.

You will find more infographics at Statista

Vueling's website states passengers can bring one underseat bag, for free, measuring 40 by 20 by 30 cm, and any airport purchases.

"The underseat bag and your shopping must all fit completely under the seat in front of you, and they must not be an obstacle or in the way," it stressed.

Passengers who book a different fare or premium customers can bring additional luggage on board, but anyone else who exceeds their allocation faces a fine.

"Passengers who do not have the 2 pieces in cabin service included in their fare or who do not book it separately will not be able to carry their cabin bag on board or check it in free of charge," the site says.

Customers who bring bags that are too large or too heavy, as well as additional luggage, face fines ranging from $30 to $80.

But Ilo was able to sidestep any potential fees by investing in the large brassiere, which she wore on top of her shirt, and then stuffed with clothes. She popped another item of clothing on top to complete the camouflaged look.

She then can be seen here, at what appears to be an airport, with a small wheeled suitcase. Afterward, the video shows her in her seat on the plane, then presumably at her destination as she removes the clothes from the bra in an outside location.

The clip has been seen more than 10 million times, as she captioned it: "How would they know?"

In the comments, translated from French, she assured people: "We didn't steal anything guys, we just didn't have enough space in our suitcase." While she added it was the "best idea of ​​my life."

Numerous people commented on the idea, as Laura cardoso called it "GENIUS."

Philip pointed out: "Well I mean technically, even if they get discovered, it still counts since they're wearing them."

Kaayfo said: "Should've done this that time at airport."

Although Maeve sandra asked: "What about xray scan?"

Newsweek reached out to @il0_naa and Vueling for comment.