Despite Backlash, Here’s Why Airlines Need To Weigh Passengers

Finnair’s recent rollout of a voluntary passenger weighing system at Helsinki Airport has ignited controversy, with some public figures decrying the move as “humiliating” and distressing. But there’s a good reason airlines ask passengers to weigh in: the laws of physics are unforgiving.

According to aviation regulations, an aircraft cannot take off if its total mass exceeds the certified Maximum Takeoff Mass specified by the manufacturer. There are stringent safety margins for flight operations to avoid a crash. With public health data indicating a rising average weight across the general population, airlines need accurate measures for passengers and their luggage.

However, mandatory weigh-ins for all passengers are not practical or feasible. Instead, airlines typically use standard weight tables to determine a flight’s total mass. Finnair’s voluntary survey ensures these tables accurately represent the current average weights of their customers. Airline weigh-in surveys are not new, and other airlines have done them. The data collected are essential for calculating fuel requirements, flight range, potential emergency landing sites, and available cargo capacity.

EASA Study Reveals Passenger Weight Trends

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency updated its passenger weight data in 2022 based on volunteer weigh-ins. On behalf of EASA, Lufthansa Consulting surveyed 4,164 passengers at six European airports and analyzed 1,998,070 pieces of checked luggage. This effort ensured passenger and luggage weight tables reflected current trends.

The survey found that the average weight of passengers was 75.6 kg (166.7 lbs), and the average carry-on luggage weight was 7.6 kg (16.8 lbs). This increased from the previous survey in 2009, though not much. Passenger weight rose by 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) and carry-on luggage by 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). At the same time, the average checked luggage weight in 2022 was 15.9 kg (35 lbs), slightly less than in 2009.

The survey also revealed seasonal variations in weight, with passengers and their luggage typically heavier in winter than summer. The average passenger weight was 74.0 kg (163.1 lbs) in summer and 76.8 kg (169.3 lbs) in winter. Carry-on luggage averaged 7.3 kg (16.1 lbs) in summer and 7.9 kg (17.4 lbs) in winter.

The 2022 study yielded further insights into weight distribution by cabin class and travel purpose. On average, passengers in premium economy and economy classes weighed 75.4 kg (166.2 lbs), while business class passengers were heavier, averaging 90.9 kg (200.4 lbs). This discrepancy is attributed to more male passengers in the business and first-class sections. Additionally, the study revealed:

• Men’s carry-on luggage averaged 7.8 kg (17.2 lbs), resulting in a total weight (passenger plus luggage) of 90 kg (198.4 lbs).
• Women’s carry-on luggage averaged 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs), leading to a total weight of 75 kg (165.3 lbs).
• Male passengers carried 0.2 kg (0.4 lbs) more in carry-on luggage than female passengers.
• Passengers flying with full-service carriers carried 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs) more in hand luggage than those flying with low-cost carriers.
• Medium-haul passengers carried 0.2 kg (0.4 lbs) more hand luggage than short-haul passengers.
• In winter, passengers carried 1 kg (2.2 lbs) more carry-on luggage than in summer.
• Long-haul passengers checked in 1.3 kg (2.9 lbs) more luggage than short-haul passengers.
• The percentage of travelers who flew without carry-on luggage decreased from 6.2% in the previous survey to 3.3% in 2022.

Passenger Privacy Is Protected During Weigh-Ins

Finnair ensures passenger data gathered during the survey remains private. As Satu Munnukka, Head of Ground Processes at Finnair, stated in the airline’s post on the initiative: “We use the weighing data for the average calculations required for the safe operation of flights, and the collected data is not linked in any way to the customer’s personal data.”

Only the person recording the data sees the individual’s weight and the weight of their hand luggage. Finnair updates these figures every five years, and the data gathered during this survey will inform its mass calculations through 2030.

While there are no plans for the airline industry to make passenger weigh-ins mandatory, the valuable data collected from these voluntary surveys play a critical role in ensuring flight safety.