Airlines Could Start Weighing Passengers At The Airport

Data used by airlines to measure passenger average weights might require updating. Soon, airlines might be asking passengers to share how much they weigh or get weighed in the airport as part of a study to update the information.

According to Fox Business, the obesity rate in the United States is increasing, causing the old measurements to be outdated. According to airline blog View From The Wing, which cited an advisory sent out by the Federal Aviation Administration, carriers now need to update that information to ensure safe weight distribution on flights.

To update the information, airlines could be required to take surveys to set new “standard average passenger weights” for passengers, crew members, and baggage through random sampling and ask for passenger participation. However, the survey would be conducted voluntarily.

“Regardless of the sampling method used, an operator has the option of surveying each passenger and bag aboard the aircraft and should give a passenger the right to decline to participate in any passenger or weight survey,” according to AirInsightGroup.

An average adult passenger and carry-on weight could increase 12 percent, from 170 pounds in the summer and 175 pounds in the winter to 190 and 195, respectively. For female passengers and carry-ons, airlines would have to increase the average weight from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in the summer and 150 pounds to 184 pounds in the winter. According to the standards, males with carry-ons will increase from 185 and 190 pounds to 200 and 205 pounds.