SpiceJet's new offer: Travel with hand baggage and fly for just Rs 999

150,000 tickets on offer for travel between July 1-October 15, 2015

SpiceJet is offering discount fares upwards of Rs 999 for passengers travelling only with hand luggage, in a limited advance purchase offer.

The discounts will not be useful for business travellers who typically book at the last minute or close to travel date as the low fares in the scheme are available for travel between July 1 and October 15. The tickets can be booked till Wednesday. A total of 150,000 seats are being offered on discount and available for customers travelling with hand (cabin) baggage, which are plus standard-sized laptop bag or ladies purse.

Among foreign airlines, British Airways and Finnair offer hand baggage-only fares on some of their routes.

A Finnair spokesperson said hand baggage only fares are 10-20 per cent cheaper than regular fares and are  available close to travel date as well.

British Airways said these fares were only available on short haul routes but did not disclose whether these could be purchased closer to travel date.

“SpiceJet is once again taking the lead by unbundling fares so that passengers only pay for what goods and services they want to consume. Those who travel light no longer have to wonder why they must pay for luggage that they do not carry, instead they get a discount for travelling with hand baggage only,” the airline's chief operating officer Sanjiv Kapoor said in a statement.  “Travelling light also helps lower fuel consumption and emissions, it is the smarter and more environmentally friendly way to travel,” he added.

Passengers who want to carry more than hand baggage at these fares, check-in baggage upto 15 kg will be charged at a flat rate of Rs 750 payable at the airport during check-in, the airline said.