Don't Get Weighed Down: Why Airlines Need to Know Your Weight
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May 19, A traveler shared the mortifying moment that a fellow passenger was forced to step on a baggage scale before takeoff after confusion over her weight. In the five-second TikTok clip, shot at an undisclosed airport, the passenger in question can be seen standing on the luggage scale in full view of fellow flyers.
May 31, Air New Zealand announced that they’ll be asking passengers on international flights out of Auckland to step onto a scale before boarding their flights.
Calm down! This is not to signal that the airline check-in experience is going to turn into a Weight Watchers-like situation. Airlines do not currently ask passengers how much they weigh, and there is no indication that they are about to start doing so. Air New Zealand, on the other hand, only intends to weigh 10,000 passengers during their month-long survey to reassess the weight load and distribution for their flights. The collection and use of the information serves to meet a requirement in place by New Zealand’s civil aviation authority that requires weight surveys to be performed every five years. Participation is voluntary and discreet.
In recent times, a circular advisory by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sparked some discussion in the US about airlines collecting and knowing the weight of passengers for flights. This concern has been exacerbated by increased obesity rates in certain parts of the world. While the passenger weigh-in practice is not common for the standard check-in process, there are valid reasons why airlines may need to estimate or collect average passenger weights. This blog post aims to shed light on the significance of airlines knowing passenger weight for flights and how it influences various aspects of aviation operations.
From the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold, airlines weigh everything.
Prior to takeoff, airlines typically weigh the following items:
Aircraft: The airline weighs the entire aircraft, including the body of the aircraft, engines, fuel, and other necessary equipment. This weight is important for determining the overall weight and balance of the aircraft.
Fuel: The airline measures and weighs the amount of fuel being loaded onto the aircraft. Fuel weight is a critical factor in flight planning, as it affects the aircraft's performance and range.
Baggage and Cargo: Airlines weigh the checked baggage, carry-on baggage, and cargo that are loaded onto the aircraft. This helps ensure that the weight of the luggage and cargo is within the permissible limits for safe and efficient operations.
Other Equipment: Airlines may also weigh specific equipment or items being carried on board the aircraft, such as catering supplies or specialized equipment required for the flight.
The weight information is crucial for flight planning, determining takeoff speeds, calculating fuel requirements, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations. By weighing these components, airlines can accurately calculate the total weight of the aircraft and determine the balance and performance characteristics required for safe and efficient flight operations.
Yes, the cumulative passenger weight can affect a flight.
The weight of passengers, along with other factors such as baggage, fuel, and cargo, contributes to the overall weight and balance of the aircraft. Here's how passenger weight can have an impact:
Weight and Balance: The total weight of the aircraft, including passengers, affects its performance characteristics, such as takeoff and landing distances, climb rate, and fuel consumption. If the combined weight of passengers exceeds the aircraft's maximum permissible weight, it can lead to safety concerns and may require adjustments to the payload, such as reducing baggage or cargo.
Center of Gravity: The distribution of weight on the aircraft, particularly the center of gravity, is crucial for maintaining stability and control during flight. If a significant number of passengers are concentrated in a particular area of the aircraft, it can affect the center of gravity and potentially lead to control issues. Proper weight distribution helps ensure the aircraft remains balanced and responsive to control inputs.
Fuel Planning: The weight of passengers directly impacts the fuel requirements for a flight. More passengers generally mean a higher overall weight, which increases fuel consumption. Airlines calculate fuel requirements based on factors including the aircraft weight, distance, and expected flight conditions. Accurate passenger weight data helps in determining the optimal fuel load, minimizing fuel costs, and ensuring adequate reserves for the journey.
Loading and Unloading: The weight distribution of passengers can impact how the aircraft is loaded and unloaded. Airlines may need to adjust the seating arrangement or passenger distribution to ensure a balanced and safe loading process. Improper weight distribution can affect the aircraft's stability during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
August 25, 2001
A Cessna 402 twin-engine light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport on the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, killing the pilot and all eight passengers on board, including American singer and actress Aaliyah and members of her entourage. The group had just completed filming of the music video for "Rock the Boat" and had chartered the flight to return to Florida. It later emerged that the tiny aircraft had exceeded its allotted weight by hundreds of pounds/kilos.
How do airlines typically go about doing these calculations?
The FAA gives airlines options for how to calculate passenger weights, including weighing customers before boarding, or by asking them to volunteer their weight. Other FAA options include conducting random passenger weight surveys or using official population weight estimates from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Currently the FAA average weight per passenger is 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter for men, and 179 pounds in the summer and 184 pounds in the winter for women.
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines for example, have used figures from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to calculate weight and balance.
Can someone be denied boarding because of their weight?
In some rare cases, a passenger may be denied boarding due to their weight if it poses a safety concern or exceeds the aircraft's weight limits. This typically occurs in smaller aircraft with limited seating capacity or when the passenger's weight significantly affects the aircraft's balance and performance. However, it's important to note that denying boarding based solely on weight is generally considered discriminatory and against most airline policies.
If a passenger's weight raises concerns about exceeding the aircraft's weight limits or affects the balance and stability of the aircraft, the airline may request the passenger to purchase an additional seat to accommodate their size or make other arrangements to ensure safety. This policy is often implemented to maintain the proper weight and balance of the aircraft and comply with aviation regulations.
Several airlines have policies in place to accommodate passengers of size. Here are a few examples:
American Airlines: American Airlines has a policy that requires passengers who cannot lower both armrests and/or encroach upon adjacent seating to purchase an additional seat. The additional seat is provided at a discounted rate.
Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines has a policy stating that passengers who are unable to sit in a single seat with the armrests down must purchase an additional seat. The airline offers a discounted rate for the additional seat.
United Airlines: United Airlines requires passengers who cannot fit into a single seat with the armrests down to purchase an additional seat. The airline provides an extra seat belt for the additional seat.
JetBlue Airways: JetBlue Airways requires passengers who are unable to fit in a single seat with the armrests down to purchase an additional seat. The airline offers a discounted rate for the additional seat.
Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines has a "Customer of Size" policy, which states that passengers who cannot comfortably fit in a single seat must purchase an additional seat. If the flight is not sold out, the passenger may be eligible for a refund for the additional seat.
These are just a few examples, and it's important to note that policies may vary among airlines. It's advisable for passengers of size to review the specific policies of the airline they plan to fly with to ensure they understand the requirements and procedures for a comfortable and safe journey.
While there have been occasional weight surveys or random weight checks conducted by airlines in the past, these are typically voluntary and discreet. They are primarily intended to collect data for operational purposes, such as estimating average passenger weights for flight planning and fuel calculations. The collected data is usually anonymized and used in aggregate, rather than being linked to individual passengers. It's important for airlines to have accurate information about passenger weights to ensure proper weight and balance calculations. This information helps maintain safety, optimize fuel consumption, and adhere to regulatory requirements.
I Think; Therefore, I am…worth my weight.