This Airline is Now Weighing Passengers – Here’s Why

Asking passengers to step onto a scale before boarding a flight was bound to stir controversy. Critics have accused Finnair, Finland’s national airline, of embarrassing travelers and potentially triggering those with eating disorders.

However, a closer look reveals that this initiative is centered on safety and operational efficiency—without compromising passenger anonymity. Understanding an aircraft’s exact weight is crucial for flight safety, and as population trends shift, the standard weight estimates used by airlines require periodic updates.

Why is Finnair Weighing Passengers?

Aircraft operate under strict weight limitations, with each plane having a maximum takeoff mass determined by its manufacturer. Weight influences fuel calculations, range, and emergency landing considerations.

Since passengers and their carry-on luggage are not weighed at check-in, airlines rely on averages, which need periodic reassessment to reflect changing demographics. Public health data suggests a general increase in average body weight, making these updates essential.

How Does the Process Work?

Airlines have two primary options for gathering weight data: using standardized figures from regulatory bodies like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or conducting independent studies. Finnair has chosen the latter.

Yes, participation is entirely voluntary. Finnair has assured passengers that all collected data remains anonymous. Only the gate agent sees the weight, and the airline does not link it to a passenger’s identity or booking details.

During April and May, a random selection of passengers will be asked to step on a scale to help Finnair optimize aircraft balance calculations.

Can Passengers Opt Out?

The compiled data will be submitted to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency and will inform calculations until 2030.

Satu Munnukka, Finnair’s head of ground processes, explained, “We record the total weight along with background information, but we do not ask for names or booking numbers. Only the agent at the measuring point can see the total weight, ensuring complete privacy.”

The airline hopes to gather data from both business and leisure travelers for a comprehensive and accurate dataset.

How Often is Weight Data Updated?

Finnair reviews its passenger weight data every five years. In 2021, EASA commissioned Lufthansa Consulting to conduct a similar study, weighing 4,164 passengers across six European airports and analyzing nearly two million pieces of checked luggage.

Findings from that study revealed:

• Average male passenger weight: 82.5 kg
• Average female passenger weight: 67.5 kg
• Mean weight of all passengers: 76.3 kg
• Average carry-on weight: 7.7 kg
• Combined passenger and carry-on weight: 84 kg (aligned with existing regulations)

This research is scheduled for review again in five years.

Have Other Airlines Done This?

Yes, several airlines have conducted similar weight assessments. Korean Air and Air New Zealand have both weighed passengers, with Air New Zealand collecting data from 10,000 international travelers departing from Auckland last year. In 2015, Uzbekistan Airways introduced passenger weigh-ins for safety reasons. Additionally, smaller airlines operating turboprop aircraft and helicopter services commonly weigh passengers before takeoff.

Is This a New Concept?

Not at all. Airlines have long recognized the importance of precise weight calculations. In 1933, Boeing Air Transport weighed passengers before boarding its San Francisco to New York flight, ensuring its 247D aircraft stayed within its 7,623 kg (16,805 lbs) takeoff limit. This practice continued until the 1950s when standardized weight tables were introduced.

Will Weighing Passengers Become a Permanent Practice?

Currently, there is no indication that weigh-ins will become standard procedure at check-in. Airlines conducting these programs have so far used them solely for temporary data collection, not as a long-term requirement.

While some passengers may feel uneasy about the process, these initiatives play a crucial role in maintaining aviation safety and operational efficiency.