The world is big. The backpack is small. How Centrum Air makes air travel simpler

The world is vast. A backpack is quite small. How Centrum Air simplifies air travel

Travel is increasingly becoming a spontaneous affair. Flying away for a weekend to another city, spending a couple of days by the sea, or heading off to a business meeting no longer require weeks of preparation and cumbersome luggage. A trip can start with a simple question: "Why not take off?" And the easier the flight is organized, the simpler it is to decide on it.

This is precisely the philosophy promoted by Centrum Air as it transitions to a "soft low-cost" format under the slogan Fly Simple.

Traditionally, an airline ticket is perceived as a pre-packaged bundle of services. But do all passengers really need the same set? Someone flies on a two-week vacation with a large suitcase, someone goes to a business meeting for just one day, and someone only needs a backpack to spend a weekend in another city.

Therefore, Centrum Air's new model is based on a simple principle: the airline offers a basic flight, and the passenger chooses which services they need. This makes trips more affordable for those traveling light, while passengers who require more retain their customary level of comfort.

Starting October 25, 2026, Centrum Air updated the terms of the Base fare. Now it includes one piece of carry-on baggage weighing up to 3 kg and measuring up to 30 × 40 × 20 cm, which is placed under the seat in front of the passenger. Documents, a phone, a charger, and everything necessary for a weekend trip or a short business trip easily fit into a small backpack.

Certain personal items can be taken free of charge over the allowance: outerwear, a blanket, books, a laptop, a tablet or a camera in a case, as well as an umbrella or a walking cane without a sharp tip.

The main idea of Base is not to limit the traveler, but to give them the opportunity not to pay for what they do not use. Why include a large bag in the ticket price if you are flying for just two days?

What if you need to take more?

Traveling light does not mean giving up convenience. If 3 kg is not enough, you can request the "Overweight Carry-on Baggage" service and increase the allowance up to 10 kg. In this case, you are allowed to take one piece of carry-on baggage measuring up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm, such as a small cabin suitcase.

This service can be added on the airline's website in the "Manage Booking" section or at the check-in desk. The earlier it is booked, the lower the price, so Centrum Air recommends doing this no later than 24 hours before departure.

For long trips or returning with purchases and gifts, the Optimal fare is suitable. It already includes 8 kg of carry-on baggage and 23 kg of checked luggage.

The new concept affects not only luggage. Want to select a window seat in advance? Priority board? Order a special meal? All of this can be added to the ticket at will.

At the same time, the basic elements of the flight remain the same. Every passenger receives a seat on the plane, even if they did not purchase a seat selection service, and meals and drinks are provided in accordance with the conditions and duration of the flight.

Imagine three passengers on the same flight. The first flies for the weekend with a small backpack and chooses Base because he needs nothing else. The second goes on a business trip for a few days: he buys Base and adds a cabin suitcase and seat selection to it. The third returns from vacation with gifts for the family, so she chooses Optimal with full luggage.

All three fly on the same plane on the same route, but each pays only for what they specifically need.

For those who love discovering new destinations, Centrum Air offers an annual subscription, Centrum Club. For 7.2 million UZS, a passenger can issue an unlimited number of Base fare tickets on the airline's routes for 12 months in accordance with the terms of the subscription. Taxes and fees are paid separately for each booking, and luggage, seat selection, and other services are purchased as desired.

This format is suitable for those who fly often for work or love spontaneous trips: today a business meeting, a week later a weekend in another city, and next month a new destination. Travel ceases to be an event that needs to be planned six months in advance and becomes a familiar part of life.

The transition to the "soft low-cost" model is not just about new luggage rules, but a new look at what a modern flight can be. Without overpaying for unnecessary options, with comfort, the level of which you choose yourself. After all, sometimes you need very little for new impressions: a free weekend, a small backpack, and a plane ticket.