Airlines to charge by Weight???

[Dareos]

I'm six foot four and am expected to pay for extra leg room on most short haul flights if I want to travel in reasonable comfort(Thomas cook in particular are shameful in seat spacing). Fat people should have to pay for extra wide seats.

[Lucio]

I think charging by weight sounds like it has the potential to be very fair, particularly as it includes your weight including your luggage. Providing the cost scales in line with the underlying costs incurred and isn't just a "pay a penalty if you're over xxx Kg"

[csgohan4]

For fairness, yes, absolutely.

Its a finite and known amount of space, so its fair for everyone, all passengers should fit within the space available, or pay for more room.

That said, I dont think it should necessarily be the cost of 2 seats, after all, the ticket price includes other things that as 1 person, you wont be using twice as much of.

You could also argue airlines should have extra wide seats just as places have disabled seats

[BobF64]

I'm six foot four and am expected to pay for extra leg room on most short haul flights if I want to travel in reasonable comfort(Thomas cook in particular are shameful in seat spacing). Fat people should have to pay for extra wide seats.

I get the same trouble, but all the flights ive been on havent been too bad, about half an inch to spare.
Except when the person in front decides to recline, at which point it crushes my kneecaps.

What Id like to see is the option to have the seat in front locked in the upright position at all times.

You could also argue airlines should have extra wide seats just as places have disabled seats

Fine too, just as they usually have a very small number of extra leg room seats. Take out the back row, replace 2 normal seats with 1 wide, or 3 normal with 2.

Really though, its no different than being charged extra for having too much luggage, only difference is that the luggage is around the person.

Aircraft are quite confined places, the space allocated for you is really quite small, I just dont see that its fair to lose it to someone else.

Perhaps the airlines should carry those adjustable straps people use for securing things and use them to squeeze the overwide passengers.

[iranu]

Don't worry,they will find some way to up the price for you.



Airlines probably already have a rough estimate of what the average or median weight of the passengers they fly on a particular route is. Sure,there will be some very light ones and very heavy ones too,compared to the norm,but I suspect as a percentage of all the passengers these would be a lower number.

They thing is the airline in the OP probably is not making enough money,and instead of upping prices wholesale,they decided on this little PR trick. The airline is in Samoa which is not exactly a rich place too, so a large scale price increase would gain bad PR for them.

So,what they do?? They sell a weight based ticket price,making people "think" they can save money.

Except in reality I doubt it.

They can make their own definition of over average or median weight.

Say,if a bigger airline did such a thing. Say one of the routes costs £500 for a return ticket based on many factors.

I can see them selling in big words,"NOW,£480 due to our new weight based scheme!!*"

*cheapest ticket only elligible if you weigh 35KG or less and are under 4 foot in height and have a mustache.

Then you will find Mr Average or Median weight,will probably be paying £525 under the new scheme.

Thats even assuming they play honest.

Meh.

I was trying to explain this to people on another forum. Instead they were just ranting about fat people. They didn't seem to understand that airlines will already have an average price per kg per mile per passenger. So by charging above this average price they will automatically profit. The beauty of this sneeky bit of business is it will work because:

a) No-one knows what that the current average price per kg per mile per passenger is.
b) People's own moral superiority will kick in. e.g. Haha, look at that big fat bloke, I bet he paid a fortune, serves him right (even though I don't realise I am being charged more myself).

I suspect the whole idea will be shot down in court anyway because it's blatant discrimination between the sexes for a start. Just look at motor insurance for women rising due to EU law.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

LOL at people actually thinking that weighing people will reduce the price of their tickets. As indicated earlier these are small light aircraft,not huge airliners which are not really payload restricted for passenger carrying. Do people even understand,how much more time it would take at checkout to start weighing people,or how much more extra cost it would be to implement it??

Moreover,the longer the checkout times,the longer the plane is on the tarmac. Planes don't just sit on the tarmac costing,nothing. They tend to be burning through fuel or using electricity while sitting there,costing more money. On top of that they are taking up space on the parking ramp,preventing other aircraft from using it. In a busy airport,aircraft taking longer between turn arounds also costs more money.

Do,people think this won't make your ticket cost more??

Moreover,are people that oblivious,to companies changing pricing patterns for other services,and it quietly becoming more expensive?? Its always starts with it will be easier,etc. The train and bus tickets are always getting cheaper and better,right??

Again,what is to stop the stop airlines fiddling with the surcharges for being "heavy than normal" ??

Or is it simply a case of a base rate ticket,plus an "excess" you pay at check-in??

Are you going to find the median weight or average weight of the passengers on your flight,to determine if you are "overweight" or the amount of your "excess"?? Its all upto the airlines to determine that for you. People are in some naive assumption,that if you are not some 1000 stone Mr Creosote,who fits perfectly in your seat,you will be charged less.

Its almost like some desparate hope,to save a few quid,and sounds very much like someone who will buy loads of lottery tickets each month,hoping they will strike it rich.

Moreover,have some of you even realised,that if you were flying from quite a number of countries,that the average weight white UK male or female would be considered "overweight" by their standards?? So what happens to mythical cost saving then??

Or would it be racist in that case??

I was trying to explain this to people on another forum. Instead they were just ranting about fat people. They didn't seem to understand that airlines will already have an average price per kg per mile per passenger. So by charging above this average price they will automatically profit. The beauty of this sneeky bit of business is it will work because:

a) No-one knows what that the current average price per kg per mile per passenger is.
b) People's own moral superiority will kick in. e.g. Haha, look at that big fat bloke, I bet he paid a fortune, serves him right (even though I don't realise I am being charged more myself).

I suspect the whole idea will be shot down in court anyway because it's blatant discrimination between the sexes for a start. Just look at motor insurance for women rising due to EU law.

Exactly.

[iranu]

A friend of mine was flying to the States. Got to his seat on boarding to find the seat next to him already occupied by the passenger. However, in order to sit down, the passenger had to lift the arm rest and occupied half his seat.

He declined to occupy half a seat, and after some one-way discussion with the cabin staff (in front of said passenger), he was eventually upgraded.

Should the passenger have paid for two seats?.

Yes, and this would be a far better test instead of charging by weight which discriminates against men and tall people in general. If you can't fit into the seat then pay for two seats.

TBH I consider the morbidly obese you sometimes see on aircraft as unfit to fly. They are a hazard in an emergency.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Yes, and this would be a far better test instead of charging by weight which discriminates against men and tall people in general. If you can't fit into the seat then pay for two seats.

TBH I consider the morbidly obese you sometimes see on aircraft as unfit to fly. They are a hazard in an emergency.

That would make more sense,as long as the airlines,don't quietly start putting even narrower seats in economy!!

At least,they could put a question during the booking asking your waist size,etc?? If it exceeds a certain number,then direct you to the wider seats,or if no seats exist,then say the flight is not suitable for you.

[Willzzz]

I think it's silly saying that it discriminates against men and tall people. Men and tall people are 'discriminated' against in all manner of ways and we just live with it. Women and short people are also discriminated against, people are different and we don't need to pretend that they aren't.

So what if tall people have to pay for extra leg room to be comfortable? Should shoe and clothing companies subsidise products for taller people? Why? Anyway I bet there are lots of advantages to being tall, I'd rather be tall than short even if it did cost me a few extra quid now and again.

[TheAnimus]

Hold up.

So we'll all agreed charging on weight for large commercial jets used by airlines is pointless and silly right?
- costs of setting up the system would be large.
- would add too delays, this costs money to the airline.
- it costs them bloody nothing to take an extra 10kg.

OK. If you don't think that, go through to one of the worked examples and try again.

But I get charged $1,000,000 for been 5kg over on my bag!
- You're a retard. They clearly state how much it costs on the ticket, I have exceeded mine many times and never been charged, being nice to the desk slave at checkin pays off. They charged you because you were flying a crap airline and they decided to rip you off, it costs virtually nothing in fuel.
- Loading bags is damned expensive, airports charge a lot for it. With new health and safety regs, 25kg bags cost even more, because people have to lift them.
- Fat 'people' (if you can call them that) are classed as SLF or Self Loading Freight.

But that guys a fat bastard, I want to feel superior to him.
- Consider telling him not to eat so many pies, if you're very lucky he might cry and his tears sustain your joy.
- Maybe just punch him in the belly, he won't feel it, he is fat.

Next time I'm on a plane and someone is spilling over into my seat, they should have to pay extra
- That makes no sense at all, unless you seat was discounted, ie they paid the fee to you. Myself I wouldn't take a £100 discount on a £800 fare to not have any space for 13 hours. That is false economy.

But this fat person ruins my flight
- Ask the stewardess to move you, they have a duty of care.
- Your flying scum class, think of what you will do with the £1000 you saved not going business, thats like 50 hookers in Asia.
- Consider some airlines which have empty seat purchase options (you keep the seat next to you empty).
- Remember a lot of planes have 'bad' seats too, people who have paid full fare but can't recline. If the airline doesn't give you good service, politely ask the busy stewardess if they can move you, if they can't write a letter, I had an upgrade on one leg and a refund on another with a major dubai based airline because of this.

[iranu]

I think it's silly saying that it discriminates against men and tall people. Men and tall people are 'discriminated' against in all manner of ways and we just live with it. Women and short people are also discriminated against, people are different and we don't need to pretend that they aren't.

So what if tall people have to pay for extra leg room to be comfortable? Should shoe and clothing companies subsidise products for taller people? Why? Anyway I bet there are lots of advantages to being tall, I'd rather be tall than short even if it did cost me a few extra quid now and again.

OK lets take a different tack. It discriminates against Europeans. Asian people tend to be far smaller. A smaller than average European male will be charged more than an average Asian. It discriminates against blacks particularly black males due to their natural increased mass due to higher muscle mass. Etc, etc.

Sorry to play the race card, but that is exactly what will happen if the airlines try to impose this charging method.

Edit: Oh and we'll chuck pregnant women into the mix as well.

Also - If weight was such an issue, how come I don't get a discount on my ticket price when my luggage weighs less than the allowed maximum?

[csgohan4]

Hold up.

So we'll all agreed charging on weight for large commercial jets used by airlines is pointless and silly right?
- costs of setting up the system would be large.
- would add too delays, this costs money to the airline.
- it costs them bloody nothing to take an extra 10kg.

OK. If you don't think that, go through to one of the worked examples and try again.

But I get charged $1,000,000 for been 5kg over on my bag!
- You're a retard. They clearly state how much it costs on the ticket, I have exceeded mine many times and never been charged, being nice to the desk slave at checkin pays off. They charged you because you were flying a crap airline and they decided to rip you off, it costs virtually nothing in fuel.
- Loading bags is damned expensive, airports charge a lot for it. With new health and safety regs, 25kg bags cost even more, because people have to lift them.
- Fat 'people' (if you can call them that) are classed as SLF or Self Loading Freight.

But that guys a fat bastard, I want to feel superior to him.
- Consider telling him not to eat so many pies, if you're very lucky he might cry and his tears sustain your joy.
- Maybe just punch him in the belly, he won't feel it, he is fat.

Next time I'm on a plane and someone is spilling over into my seat, they should have to pay extra
- That makes no sense at all, unless you seat was discounted, ie they paid the fee to you. Myself I wouldn't take a £100 discount on a £800 fare to not have any space for 13 hours. That is false economy.

But this fat person ruins my flight
- Ask the stewardess to move you, they have a duty of care.
- Your flying scum class, think of what you will do with the £1000 you saved not going business, thats like 50 hookers in Asia.
- Consider some airlines which have empty seat purchase options (you keep the seat next to you empty).
- Remember a lot of planes have 'bad' seats too, people who have paid full fare but can't recline. If the airline doesn't give you good service, politely ask the busy stewardess if they can move you, if they can't write a letter, I had an upgrade on one leg and a refund on another with a major dubai based airline because of this.

You made my day, love the examples lol

[Rob_B]

OK lets take a different tack. It discriminates against Europeans. Asian people tend to be far smaller. A smaller than average European male will be charged more than an average Asian. It discriminates against blacks particularly black males due to their natural increased mass due to higher muscle mass. Etc, etc.

Sorry to play the race card, but that is exactly what will happen if the airlines try to impose this charging method.

Edit: Oh and we'll chuck pregnant women into the mix as well.

Also - If weight was such an issue, how come I don't get a discount on my ticket price when my luggage weighs less than the allowed maximum?

You're not getting the fact that weight is supposedly the issue here, it's not upto the airline if you're fat, or tall, or pregnant, they owe you nothing.

You don't get a discount because airlines are a business trying to make as much profit as they can, same as all other companies, if the additional revenue is worth the possible bad rep or lost business then they will charge as much as they can.

[wasabi]

i like it in theory - if you cost more to haul you should pay more. It is how it is handled that is the issue. If I pay significantly more for a fattie-seat i should also get a wider seat provided both for my own comfort and for that of the person next to me. Otherwise the airlines are getting their cake (cash) and eating it.

Also airlines should ban reclining seats - it is simply obnoxious and selfish to put your seat down in an aircraft as it reduces the person behind's legroom.

[TheAnimus]

You're not getting the fact that weight is supposedly the issue here, it's not upto the airline if you're fat, or tall, or pregnant, they owe you nothing.

Actually they have a legal duty to provide services for all people. This is not just a case of their operators license, but also UK and EU laws regarding disabilities. Even chavair can't wiggle out of them if you say need a wheel chair. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4112791.stm

Many rail operators provide free upgrade to first class for pregnant ladies http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/Mumstobe.aspx

I can't find the regulations but all aircraft that are FAA certified for ATP, have to have seats of a certain size and quality for dealing with weight.

The very few outliers, the freakishly tall or the morbidly obese can actually be charged extra in the US, in the UK they technically can't, but the carrier might simply not fly them.

You don't get a discount because airlines are a business trying to make as much profit as they can, same as all other companies, if the additional revenue is worth the possible bad rep or lost business then they will charge as much as they can.

Because it simply isn't worth the hassle of it. It costs more to process and take the excess baggage fee than the cost of running it through the airport.

The airline industry is ultra-competitive, people are always looking for ways to safely lower costs, as such if they could profitably do this, they would be, but for worked examples of why its not needed for anything but this little tin pot operator, see my first post.

If you think that weighing 50kg less than the guy next to you entitles you to anything, more than maybe £2 off your ticket, you're frankly delusional. Or flying something really tiny, like an 8 seater. But most probably just a bit dim.

If the airline industry were capable of weighing passengers fairly, quickly, and dealing with the dynamic cost, for less than £10 a pop, I'd be incredibly surprised!

[TheAnimus]

Also airlines should ban reclining seats - it is simply obnoxious and selfish to put your seat down in an aircraft as it reduces the person behind's legroom.

No it's not, the vast majority of people are unaffected, I suggest flying better than pleb class if you're going to be a princess about it. I'm 196cm, if a company wants me to travel, they can pay for premium at a minimum, if its me, I'll take the choice depending on the cost!

What is really anoying is people who do it whilst eating, people who are vegan or some such bullmonkey, get their tray 30 mins before the rest of pleb class and then lie straight back down, because they've finished!

The problem can be solved by better engineering mind, even for when your having to turn right: http://www.terminalu.com/travel-blog...amliner/16703/