An airline has been branded “cruel” after it announced that it would start weighing passengers with carry-on luggage before departure.
Finnair, a Finnish airline, said the new measure would allow staff to better estimate the overall weight of the plane before take-off.
The controversial new move came into effect on Monday and will last until May.
“More than 500 volunteer customers have participated in the weigh-ins,” airline spokesperson Kaisa Tikkanen said, confirming the weigh-in was voluntary.
Finnair have introduced a new controversial measure for passengers with carry-on luggageGettyThose who agree to take part are gifted with a small, reflective baggage tag. Their weight is not disclosed, with only the customer service agent able to see it.
Passengers are not penalised for their weight, the airline stressed.
Satu Munnukka, the head of ground processes at Finnair, said the measurements were being collected for safety purposes and were “not linked in any way to the customer’s personal data”.
Munnukka added: “We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example. Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind.”
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The airline, which runs budget flights to and from Finland, said that new measures will help work out the weight of the plane, its interior, and the passengers on board to make for a safer flight.
The European Aviation Safety Agency's statistics, which airlines like Finnair use to calculate aircraft luggage weight, estimate the average male passenger at around 85kg and the average female at 67kg.
Airlines may use the average weights provided by aviation authorities or collect their own data.
Suvi Aaltonen, a Finnair spokesperson, said: “Our customers have taken it really positively so far. We’ve been quite surprised by people wanting to take part.”
However, social media users were not thrilled with the new measures, with one mockingly branding the company as “thinair”.
One user said: “Finnair are to start weighing their passengers? Have I read that correctly? I am utterly shocked! And disgusted. When in the last plane been able to take off because of an overweight passenger. When is a plane only ever full of people their exact weight? #embarrasing #cruel.”
More than 500 volunteer customers with hang luggage have participated in the weigh-ins
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Another said they would boycott the airline over the new measures: “I will not be travelling via Finnair as l won't be #fatshamed by a bloody airline. Am l alone? (ie l never weigh myself: my choice).
A third chimed in: “Finnair’s weigh in rules are not about passenger safety. No airplane has ever crashed because of overweight passengers. This is draconian law and nanny state."
Meanwhile, others praised the introduction of the scheme. One said: “About time too, well done Finnair. Hopefully, this will become the industry standard worldwide."
Steve Miller, former presenter of the TV show Fat Families, said: “This will help motivate people to lose a bit and keep the plane safe. It’s not shaming. It is life-saving.”
