Major airlines are actively launching products by up-cycling retired aircraft and staff uniforms. The products include name-tags that can be attached to personal items, ball markers (small tools used to mark the location of one's ball on the golf course), and a variety of travel bags.
The reason airlines are actively engaging in up-cycling efforts is part of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management, like using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Full Service Carriers (FSC), which operate mileage programs, can enhance customer loyalty while encouraging the use of earned mileage.
According to the airline industry on the 27th, Delta Air Lines, the world's largest airline, has unveiled a travel suitcase made using the fuselage of a retired aircraft earlier this month. It is reported to use the fuselage of a Boeing 747-400 that was previously used for domestic flights in the U.S. and is expected to launch within this year.
Domestic airlines are also releasing products made from retired aircraft fuselages and staff uniforms every year. Korean Air has produced and sold name-tags and ball markers using parts of aircraft fuselages on four occasions from 2021 to last year. These were made from materials dismantled from retired Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200ER fuselages and were sold in mileage malls.
Korean Air has introduced a variety of products made from disposal-target materials such as in-flight life vests, in-flight blankets, and staff uniforms, including travel pouches, bags, insulated water bottles, and medicine pouches. Asiana Airlines has also produced and sold hair accessories, card wallets, bags, and shoes using discarded uniforms.
Making products from waste materials is aimed at strengthening ESG management for major airlines, but it also serves the purpose of expanding outlets for redeeming mileage. Mileage is accounted for as deferred revenue (liability) for airlines, and eliminating mileage can be advantageous for securing financial soundness. The unredeemed mileage for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines amounted to 3.5 trillion won as of the end of September last year.