Airline starts weighing passengers at the gate

[Kb27]

What's the implication ?

Now they talk about weight distribution. Carrying overweight luggage pay extra.

Maybe next time, obese passengers pay more. Double-sized ones need to pay for 2 seats...  

 

Airline starts weighing passengers at the gate

CNN — 

We all know what it’s like to have our baggage weighed at an airport check-in. Most of us are also familiar with the “crouch of shame” – the position adopted when rummaging through a bag to remove something heavy, when you’ve been informed your bag is just ounces overweight.

But now, some brave airline passengers are consenting to being weighed themselves before boarding the plane.

In a trial by European carrier Finnair at its Helsinki Airport hub, volunteer passengers are being weighed at the departure gate in order to allow the airline to refine weight estimates for planes before takeoff.

And in a nightmare scenario for anyone who’s ever tried to nonchalantly sneak an overweight cabin bag onto the plane, passengers are being weighed together with their carry-on bags.

Luckily for anyone carrying a bulging bag, the weigh-ins are not linked to individual bookings or passenger data. Everything is anonymous, Päivyt Tallqvist, Finnair’s senior vice president communications, told CNN, with only the member of staff at the gate seeing the weight.

The trial started on Monday, and by Thursday morning 800 volunteers had already taken part, Tallqvist, said, adding that the airline was “positively surprised by the number of volunteers.”

 

“We have communicated about this survey to Finnair customers via our social media channels and our mobile app, and the first volunteers were proactively asking to take part even before the equipment was set up,” she said.

They plan to weigh 1,200 passengers for the winter season, and more for the summer.

Tallqvist said that the airline is collating data about the average weight of passengers and their hand luggage “for the purpose of aircraft balance and performance calculations that are needed for the safe operation of flights.

 

Airlines calculate planes’ weight – the weight of everyone onboard, as well as cargo and baggage in the hold, and things like catering and water tanks onboard – before each take off, along with their center of gravity. The weight and trim of an aircraft can affect where passengers can sit, and in some cases even how many passengers are allowed onboard, and how much luggage can go in the hold. Each aircraft you fly in has a set maximum weight for safe takeoff.

“While airlines know the weight of all other aspects, the weight of customers and their carry-on baggage is calculated using average weights confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority,” said Tallqvist.

Airlines generally use average passenger weights provided by the European Aviation Safety Authority, but they can also use their own, signed off by the authorities. Finnair has used its own measurements since 2018, but these must be updated every five years – hence the refresh.

Korean Air conducted its own weighing program in 2023, while Air New Zealand also did a weight survey last year.

Finnair is collecting data for both winter and summer seasons, since passengers tend to wear heavier clothing and coats during the cold Finnish winters. The winter readings will be completed in February, with the summer ones taken between April and May.

The says it airline will calculate an average weight from the measurements taken, and will send the data to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency for verification. The weights will be used for loading calculations from 2025-30.

And while many passengers would rather keep their weight a secret, Satu Munnukka, Finnair’s head of ground processes, assured nervous passengers in a statement that “the collected data is not linked in any way to the customer’s personal data.”

Munnukka added: “We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage, but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example.

“Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind.”

[Sosaria]

Actually this has been ongoing every couple years. To update passenger and carry-on luggage weights , which are always assumed for airline ops.

All airlines will have to substantiate these assumed figures to their civil aviation authorities. The lighter they can get away with, the better (to squeeze in more passengers).

[Jman888]

going to see a lot of argue/fight for over 200gm, maybe will try to take off extra clothing or shoes, remove all the accessories  

[Stratovarius]

US of the A jialat liao.

[Atonchia]

On 2/9/2024 at 12:51 PM, Stratovarius said:

US of the A jialat liao.

Think Australia and UK too.

The average passenger weight of 75kg don't hold now..... 

[Stary]

I think airlines should incentivise people who are in a healthy weight range.

They get to pay less and can collect more miles. 

Call it the slim and win global alliance program.....

Those not in the program pay normal fare...

Gurantee SG will top the list again with majority of people being slim.....😁

Works better than any health campaign la....

Edited February 9 by Starry

[limpeh6969]

On 2/9/2024 at 1:14 PM, Starry said:

I think airlines should incentivise people who are in a healthy weight range.

They get to pay less and can collect more miles. 

Call it the slim and win global alliance program.....

Those not in the program pay normal fare...

Gurantee SG will top the list again with majority of people being slim.....😁

Works better than any health campaign la....

limpeh support!

here's another way: passenger + luggage weight not exceeding 100kg => just pay the fare. so if you're 80 kilos, you can bring 20 kilos luggage FOC 

[Jman888]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:15 PM, limpeh6969 said:

limpeh support!

here's another way: passenger + luggage weight not exceeding 100kg => just pay the fare. so if you're 80 kilos, you can bring 20 kilos luggage FOC 

if 100kg no luggage can take 2 seats?

[mersaylee]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:34 PM, Jman888 said:

if 100kg no luggage can take 2 seats?

Can...pay 2 ticket for 2 seats...😁

[Inlinefour]

jialat don't know go Oz with son will kena weighing bo 🙈🙉🙊

 

overweight with tons of.....will kena or not huh 🤑🤑🤑

[Kxbc]

On 2/9/2024 at 1:14 PM, Starry said:

I think airlines should incentivise people who are in a healthy weight range.

They get to pay less and can collect more miles. 

Call it the slim and win global alliance program.....

Those not in the program pay normal fare...

Gurantee SG will top the list again with majority of people being slim.....😁

Works better than any health campaign la....

Japanese probably will win. 

Singapore lang getting fatter and fatter. 

[Enye]

wah like that i 165kg jia lat liao

😬🥲

[Stary]

On 2/9/2024 at 8:06 PM, Kxbc said:

Japanese probably will win. 

Singapore lang getting fatter and fatter. 

For a nation whose favorite pastime is queuing for any good deals, don't underestimate their sheer willpower.

Spore lang loves to travel, they love their SIA and they love a good deal.

Give them all three,  don't say lose some kilos, ask them to jump through a ring of fire also they will.

Edited February 10 by Starry

[Kb27]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:15 PM, limpeh6969 said:

limpeh support!

here's another way: passenger + luggage weight not exceeding 100kg => just pay the fare. so if you're 80 kilos, you can bring 20 kilos luggage FOC 

It's very logical and fair.

Since airline is talking about the overall weight loaded on the plane, just add passenger + luggage weight.

The slimmer ones can carry more luggage.

The obese have to carry less or pay more, or slim down.