Why don't airlines weigh passengers?


Why don't airlines weigh passengers? Is it reasonable to weigh passengers? “Definitely not,” said Vance Hilderman, CEO of the aviation safety company Afuzion. At least not for the purpose of safety, he said. “If you're at a small Bombardier, a small Embraer jet, and we had 10 very obese people … it could make a small difference,” he said.


Are airlines strict about 23KG?

Do airlines allow 1kg overweight? Bags weighing 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg) are accepted as overweight. Bags measuring 63 to 115 in (160 to 292 cm) are accepted as oversized.


Will airline start weighing people?

Passengers will be weighed anonymously, Korean Air said, and passengers can opt out. So can you expect to find yourself on a scale before boarding your next domestic flight? Likely, no, but it isn't impossible. The U.S. does not require airlines to weigh passengers as South Korea does.


What average weight do airlines use for passengers?

The current FAA standards, which are based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have established that the average weight for an adult passenger plus carry-on luggage is 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter; that's up from the previous averages of 170 pounds in the ...


Does the weight of passengers affect the plane?

In the early days of air travel, Airlines frequently weighed passengers and even crew to properly balance the smaller, less sophisticated aircraft, according to the Smithsonian. Passenger weight can have an impact on another aspect of flying: seat size.


Why is luggage weighed but not people?

One reason they don't measure your weight is that most people wouldn't feel comfortable getting weighed in front of strangers, then charged for that. Only Air Samoa currently weighs each passenger and tickets them by weight. In the West, weight is a contentious issue, so an assumed average is used for passengers.


How do airlines know the weight of passengers?

The FAA allows airlines to either weigh passengers on scales before boarding or ask a person their weight and add at least 10 pounds for clothing, according to a 2019 advisory circular from the agency.


What happens if my carry-on is too heavy?

If your cabin baggage exceeds the authorized weight and dimensions, we shall be required to: - ask you to pay an additional charge, payable by credit card only, at the cost of the additional baggage. - ask you to leave your baggage at the baggage disputes service in the event of payment refusal.


What do airlines do for overweight passengers?

In general, obese passengers on airlines who require a seatbelt extender and/or cannot lower the armrests between seats are asked to pay for a second seat on their flight, unless there are two empty seats together somewhere on the plane.


Why do airlines restrict weight?

The weight of the passengers, crew, and their carry-on luggage is mostly unknown. They set the maximum weight on the luggage so that even if the passengers on board are unusually heavy, there is still enough of a buffer that the aircraft does not exceed the MTOW.


Do airlines allow slightly overweight bags?

It's a question we hear all the time, and here's what we say: It is rare for airlines to weigh your carry on or hand luggage. So long as your bag is not clearly overweight, and you're able to carry it with ease – you shouldn't have any issues with a slightly overweight bag.


Why do airlines have 23kg weight limit?

Each bag should weigh less than 23KG/50LBS. This is an international regulation set for the health and safety of airport workers who have to lift hundreds of bags daily.


What airline wants to weigh passengers?

What about stepping on a scale? Many reacted less-than-fondly to an announcement earlier this month that Korean Air, a South Korea-based airline, planned to weigh passengers before boarding. A representative for the airline told CNBC the practice would last for about three weeks, and is required by law.


How strict are airline weight limits?

Most airlines will allow you to check one bag and have one carry-on bag. There is normally a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag as well as a size restriction. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27 x 21 x 14.


Can airlines refuse overweight passengers?

In general, obese passengers on airlines who require a seatbelt extender and/or cannot lower the armrests between seats are asked to pay for a second seat on their flight, unless there are two empty seats together somewhere on the plane. Special size passengers have little to no choice when it comes to this rule.