Here’s why Air New Zealand has started weighing passengers
For the next five weeks, international flyers heading out from Auckland will be jumping on the scales.
By David Flynn, May 30 2023
Social media caught fire over the weekend with reports that Air New Zealand was now weighing passengers, with scales at the departure gates recording how many kilos they’re carrying in bodyweight as well as luggage.
So what’s behind it all?
The Kiwi carrier says it’s actually a requirement by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, and extends to everything which is going onto the plane: passenger, luggage, cargo, meals and more.
A similar exercise was carried out on domestic flights in 2021, and now it’s the turn of aircraft heading out on international routes.
“We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft – from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold,” explains Air New Zealand load specialist Alastair James.
“For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.”
This data then informs pilots when it comes to the weight and balance of the loaded aircraft.
But when it comes to weighing passengers, the airline says this is entirely voluntary, and “there is no visible display anywhere,” James notes.
“No one can see your weight – not even us! It’s completely anonymous.”
The current survey of international flights is being carried out on selected Air New Zealand flights departing from Auckland and will run for five weeks through to July 2.
03 Jun 2019
Total posts 28
“this is entirely voluntary” then no thanks.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
It's about time. A logical initiative.
30 May 2023
Total posts 1
This makes eminent sense – and not before time. Allows accurate calculation of load and distribution. Could also, dare I suggest, offset PAX weight against hold luggage/carry on. If you’re average weight or less on the scales, you get some leeway. Not discriminatory, just maths. In more than 50 years of international air travel, have never understood why PAX weight not measured and taken into account. Just as height should be accommodated in Y. There should be specific seating for those 183 cm (six feet) and taller – ditto for the many 165 cm (5’ 5”) or under. I’m 193 cm (6’ 4”) and seating in Y has been the bane of my air travel life for at least 30 years. You are penalised for being tall. Height as well as weight should be part of the information provided when you make a reservation, allowing airlines to adjust accommodation and loading accordingly. Of course, all PAX should always have the option to pay extra for more room, etc regardless of physical stature. But allocating Y seats/baggage allowance according to physique would be fair to all and facilitate cost optimisation (fuel requirement, etc) of each flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 15
This makes sense. I don't have an issue with it, as long as it doesn't flash up on a big screen for everyone in line to see. My understanding is most airlines are still using around 80kg average. A quick look around on my last flight it was pretty obvious that number would be too low (including myself!).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 50
Airlines should accept the size and weight of each passenger as it is and move on - to take advantage or be penalised for your size/weight is rather unfair.
But since we are on this topic, I would say that what would be REALLY awesome is that passengers who do not have any check-in luggage (even though they are allowed to have on their tickets) be given higher weight allowance for their carry-on (not the size, just weight). The standard 7kg is just ridiculous. for even the lightest wheel luggage is 2-3kg already. I would say up to 15kg is perfect, packed within the carry-on size limit. Any thoughts?
31 May 2023
Total posts 2
I think excess carry-on luggage should be charged at the same rate that excess body weight is charged.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 15
They're not penalising pax for size/weight - I think you misunderstand what they are doing here. They are taking a survey of random people's weight (anonymously) so they can update the average weight they assume per passenger for each flight. As the average passenger has gotten heavier over time they need to update their average assumptions.
19 May 2021
Total posts 5
Before you all get on your high horse about weighing passengers, read about Air Midwest Flight 5481
09 May 2020
Total posts 573
I am sure this comment will get deleted as the authors of this article incorporate info from my comments but this exercise is part of “weight week” (dunno why it will take 5 weeks stated in ET article) which occurs every 5 years to get a sample of the average weight including carry ons per pax. It’s definitely voluntary (yes you can say no without penalty, even though the check-in or gate crew may make it sound like you don’t have a choice) and despite the spin, nothing is mentioned about weighing the cabin crew or flight crew (although they may have their own more regular weigh-in sessions, although I suspect anti-discrimination law will prohibit the airline from using their weight as reason for redeployment or reassignment of overweight crews)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 710
Let me be clear, when it comes to airline and passenger safety, I couldn't give a damn about anti-discrimination laws or passenger 'sensitivities' over their weight. Safety tops everything. As for passenger sizes in seats, that's a big tick for Qantas introducing the 'spare seat' option to allow 'Plus' and 'Super-plus' sized pax the comfort and kudos for thinking about the comfort of fellow passengers. Double-tick to Qantas for making the spare seat notably less costly than an occupied seat.
But that's all the ticks that Qantas get from me at this time. :-)
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 176
Its the gentle build up for the future for air travel.
Average weight measures will be applied to passengers in the future. We can all see there will be a chick in girth/general tax applied to passengers over a set average, but can we see a refund for tiny passengers, I don't think so. We all know hand luggage 7 or 10 kg will also soon be chargeable with plans to remove overhead lockers to reduce weight costs with hand luggage placed in the hold. It is all a process of weight reduction to save on fuel costs and to generate extra fees and taxes to increase revenue. Flying is no longer a luxury, its a business.
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 45
Weighed both ways + carry on when we used Ansett Flying Boat Service to Lord Howe. Manual system, entered onto your boarding card and onto passenger manifest. Checked bags & freight also weighed.
Didn’t hear a complaint and a ground staff member told me he had never heard one either.
Check in desks should have automatic system to record passenger weight; a weighbridge type panel set into the floor.
27 Aug 2017
Total posts 23
The small airline I used to fly for in Papua New Guinea had freight scales that only read up to 20 Kilos. Nothing on the manifest weighed more than 20 Kilos.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 710
Ditto when flying from Cairns to LZR.
28 Sep 2022
Total posts 7
A few years ago we flew out of Haines Alaska on a single engine plane, the pilot personally weighed all passengers and luggage then told us where we would be sitting, who could have a problem with that, not us.
31 May 2023
Total posts 2
I've often wondered why a child weighing 40kg & paying full fare would be charged extra if their carry-on luggage exceeded 7kg, but a lard-arse weighing 130kg can travel for the same price as the kid. Doesn't seem fair to charge the kid extra if their carry-on is 1 or 2 kg over weight when a fat bastard who's 50kg over weight can just plonk his sweaty butt down without a second thought.
31 Jul 2023
Total posts 1
Its important that airline educate pax of the safety concerns regarding weight. I believe airlines still calculate per pax by 80kg. I often prepare myself for the worst when I see lot of big people on my flights cos the pilots are probably punching in "estimate" weights for takeoff 😆
I mean I'm slim but 90kg with norm of 30-40kg checked bags. That's way over the average 100kg per pax airlines allocate for aircraft trimming
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