Airline to charge your fee based on weight

United States
April 2, 2013 3:39pm CST
I think this makes sense to a degree. But I really only agree with it in regards to paying for kids as they weigh next to nothing typically. It's us adults who have troubles control our weight. And in the article http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/samoa-air-charge-passengers-weight/story?id=18862095#.UVsVUjfpzux if 80% of Samoan Women are obese that may discourage a large amount of travelers from using their airline wouldn't you think? Good move or bad move? And would you like other global carriers to start this practice?
1 person likes this
21 responses
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
2 Apr 13
Hi, It makes sense, the plane has to use extra power in order to get off the ground with all those weights so the heavier one is, the higher should be the traveling cost. Baggage are charged by weight there's no reason why people should not be charged per weight as well. There are kids that weigh as much as adults nowadays, and most can weigh next to nothing, still, if they are taken together, could add a considerable weight too.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
3 Apr 13
True, if the skinny ones also weigh the same as bigger ones. Most of the time bigger people weigh more than smaller people thus the plane has to consume more gas in order to get off the ground.
• Mexico
3 Apr 13
I disagree with you. As i think many skinny people also fly. So why make bigger people pay more to fly? We all use just one seat.
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
2 Apr 13
I don't think its a wise move. Its offensive, they'll lose customers I'd imagine. The airlines should concentrate on positive things for their passengers.
• Mexico
2 Apr 13
I think, it really doesnt need to be. i bet the same big and small people will equal out the price. Look at me 121 lbs.
• United States
3 Apr 13
I don't think its necessary. There's no reason to discriminate against any one in order to make more money. The weight will be evened out with the people who come on board as you said.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 13
I hope that this airline's idea is a joke from them to promote tourism and give people a laugh. I visited Samoa in 2002 and had a wonderful time. My children don't way much. Adults vary in weight and many ladies are ashamed of their weight. Yes, the majority of Samoan ladies are obese. If it is true other airlines might follow in suite.
• Mexico
2 Apr 13
I think this is going to back fire at the airlines. it s a joke in my book.. :(
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Apr 13
No because whatever we weigh doesn't change their costs really.. so why should they? I can see having a few extra large seats for extra large people and charging more for the comfort of the larger seat, but there's no reason for them to charge by weight other than to make the obese feel worse about themselves.
• Mexico
2 Apr 13
I agree there, why should 250 lb person pay more, than a 121 lb woman like me. We both use just one seat.
• United States
2 Apr 13
It's kind of stupid but it's a way to get more money in their money grubbing hands. Already if your body is wider than those ridiculously narrow seats you might be charged an extra seat. They have those seats so small. An average person would fill them up. It's all about fitting more people in the old way and by the pound they are getting mega bucks on these larger women.
• Mexico
3 Apr 13
I think its really stupid. Just a way for them to make more money. I sure wont save anyone money.
@Raine38 (12391)
• United States
2 Apr 13
On the good side, it will definitely motivate frequent flyers to exercise and lose weight, if only for the sake of saving extra $$$ on airfare! But seriously, with the rates that they are charging now, and the services that we get, I don't think that it is fair. I think they better look into the quality of their services first before they come up with another scheme of charging their passengers.
• Mexico
3 Apr 13
I dont think so, unless the fee for over weight people is really high.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
3 Apr 13
I have experience during one of my trips that prior to boarding, we were weighed . It was only a local flight and I didn't really think much about it, but I wonder what if I weighed more than the average person? Would they charge me per pound? One of the reasons why airlines do this is because according to them, they need to maintain a specific weight for the plane to carry so that it will be safe to fly. I wonder what if you're the last person to check in and you're overweight. What do they do, refuse you from boarding? I know that with some airlines, you are required to purchase two seats if you are big. But weighing a person seems to go far if you would ask me. It's like saying "Fat people don't fly".
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Apr 13
Bah, I'm already offended at the concept of having to pay for bags.... Humbug!
• Mexico
2 Apr 13
Its just another way for them to make more money, is all.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
3 Apr 13
It does make sense from business side point of view, an overweight person make the air plane weigh heavier, thus cost the airline more fuel to carry her /him around the world at the end of the day, not even mention the headache she can gave to a normal weight passenger sit next to her, practically deny other the joy of flying. I think fee on 'extra pound' base on weight should only start at certain normal weight /height pound, not from the base line of zero. Airlines around the world will be more than happy to oblige with your idea for the extra 'baggage' fee an overweight person carry on her/his body.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Apr 13
I don't agree with this at all Too mnay cut backs on airlines. We have to buy food and luggage is limited or pay extra for another bag. and now they want me to lose some more weight?
• Mexico
2 Apr 13
Your right, just a tricky way for them to earn more.
• United States
3 Apr 13
In theory the argument that obese people should have to pay for two seats makes sense seeing as the extra size they take up could be used to fill another seat. However, what Samoa air represents is a gross invasion of privacy and in my mind not logical. Why should a 100 lb person and a 150 lb person pay a different price even though the relative space they take up isn't that different. It's almost as if you were at the butchers and paying per pound of meat.
• Philippines
3 Apr 13
I've read this news on a writer's post in Bubblews. I don't think it's right. I find it offensive. People comes in different shapes and sizes. Slim people can contribute to balance the weight of huge people. Do they think overweight people are happy about their condition then they'll ask them for extra fee to pay just for being on that figure? They're already asking for extra fee for luggage that exceeds the weight limit.
@et2705 (21)
• Singapore
3 Apr 13
Sounds a bit skeptical to me. So what happen to those that are overweight? Does that mean that they have to eat less in order to save more for their air ticket? I think this might either discourage people to take flights or more people to join the slimming center or fitness club.
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
5 Jan 16
its something that was talked about a while back i personally don't like the idea of it. It's a form of discrimination its almost the same as charging a handicapped person in a wheelchair more to ride public transportation because they take up two seats worth of space. Yes being obese is something that most times is through the fault of the person due to lack of good eating habits and poor lifestyle choices like over eating and lack of exercise but i don't think that they should have to pay more than everyone else.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
3 Apr 13
I can only imagine how humiliating it would be for an overweight person to be weighted by airport employees before letting them purchase a ticket. What are they going to do. Make you hop up on a scale in front of everyone?
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
3 Apr 13
Have you ever been stuck in a seat, next to a 400 lbs monster? I have. It sucks. That's not fair to everyone else, that this fat people can make others miserable. They should pay a higher price, if for no other reason, than to discourage them from flying.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
3 Apr 13
So, it seems everybody have to monitor their daily diet in order to keep a desired weight. So being fit and slim has it perks now. I hope this encourage people to watch their weight and stay slim, at the same time can save money when traveling. However, as you said, it will discourage many too who have weight problem. I hope they can have a better solution or guidelines on this fees. In actual fact I find air traveling is getting costly with the fuel charges, extra baggage surcharge etc.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
3 Apr 13
I think this is fair. Even in land transportation I think they should do this because sometimes a seat which is good for two persons can be taken up by one obese passenger.So I most certainly agree with this.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
3 Apr 13
Gives immediate motivation and business to the weight loss industry. LOL. OK, cruise and ferry, here I come. Maybe even walk across borders.
@Hugsy25 (274)
• Canada
3 Apr 13
Could you imagine having to step on a scale to verify your weight before bording a plane? And then being charged extra because you lied about your weight when you bought your ticket online. Horrifying!