Emirates may initiate a cheaper hand baggage-only fare. The new fare is often popular with younger passengers, who tend to travel light. Other airlines rolled out similar fares.

Airlines utilize these fares as they cost less than regular ones and appear more competitive in online booking systems. Emirates, for example, faces stiff competition from low-cost long-haul services operating similar routes, like Norwegian and WOW air. Norwegian started flying into Dubai (DXB) and Bangkok (BKK) recently, launching services between London (LHR) and Singapore (SIN). All of these routes compete with Emirates.

Later this year, low-cost carrier WOW air will fly between North America and Delhi (DEL), further competing with Emirates.

More and more, young travelers board planes with only small pieces of luggage, like a backpack and a briefcase. Many live outside of their home countries for work and are taking short trips to visit family.

HBO fares are also attractive to passengers on shorter flights; they may be taking quicker trips that don’t require a large checked bag.