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AirAsiaX mulls charging passengers by weight
Based on heated previous discussions here at Gadling, we know that the idea of charging passengers by their weight is a very touchy subject. In addition to the questionable legality of the concept, many are uncomfortable with the fact that one passenger may have to spend significantly more than the next -- only to occupy the same seat on an aircraft.For a while it was almost a joke -- people knew that no American company would dare try something so bold at the risk of alienating the majority of their passenger base. Even Philadelphia Media Holdings ran a full page ad for a fake airline called "Derrie-air" to tease people and collect some marketing data on what the reaction would be.
Our new perspective on oil and the economy, however, is turning some of those chuckles into awkward inquisitions. Could someone really get away with charging a passenger by his or her weight?
AirAsiaX is starting to think so. Darren Wright, operating manager of the airline, recently told Travel Today that such extreme measures might be a possibility given the current state of the market. Stating that weighing each passenger could help balance cargo and overall aircraft balance, Mr Wright suggested that the measure "could help Aussies lose weight."
No word on whether the airline is seriously considering the changes or whether Wright was just speaking candidly, but if something like this were to go into effect, it would surely rock the industry in which we now fly.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)
W57thNY Aug 5th 2008 9:24AM
I would love to see airlines base airfares on passenger weight, in fact, I'd be among the first to book a flight in this manner. This is a great idea, and I believe the airlines should embrace it. There's no way it costs the same to transport a heavy traveler, as it is to transports a lighter traveler. Look at UPS, and FedEx, they charge different rates for different package sizes, why can't airlines?
Brian M Aug 5th 2008 9:49AM
Says the 5'1", 110lb person. *rolling eyes*
Of COURSE people who don't stand to Lose anything are all for this kind of change. How would you feel if it were the OPPOSITE? Like, you had to be at Least 6' tall to board the plane. That sounds like a GREAT idea to me. :D Lets do that!
But it's always fun to laugh at the people who think Discrimination is a great idea. So thanks for the laugh W57thNY.
Charmedmagic98 Aug 5th 2008 2:27PM
Airlines can't do that; Because they will seud for that and it will go to court, and they won't win that case:
the concern is on the how much weight you bags weight is which is fair, and to be charged extra, because people bring to much crap with: what make you the right to write this: get a life Jerk!!!
tgif Aug 5th 2008 3:33PM
Perfect analogy! I agree, wholeheartedly.
Ladycls Aug 5th 2008 3:17PM
I would love to see this happen also. Then I would be the first to file a class action discrimination suit against the airlines on behalf of the overweight people. Because believe it or not it is discrimination.
Philly73 Aug 5th 2008 3:40PM
This isn't about fair and not fair. It's about the reality that these companies are faced with. If an individual is using more of a resource than others, than that individual should have to pay for it. If you drive a H2 Hummer you're going to use more gas than someone who drives a Honda. There's nothing discriminating about that, you just use more fuel.
Implementation is going to be tricky and the airlines and someone will have to prove that the increased airfare is commensurate with the added costs of carrying heavier passengers (consulting opportunity!!!!), but I think it's worth investigating. Businesses aren't in business to lose money nor should they be. If their costs are going up, then so will their prices.
The more controversial matter is health care which contains a similar argument. Why do my premiums go up when it is my co-worker who got sick and doesn't take care of himself? Talk about a subsidy. I live healthy, don't get sick, take care of my body while my co-workers smoke, drink, eat in glutiny and suffer from health conditions that could have been avoided. Yet, in the end we all get punished by the insurance company with higher premiums. Shouldn't my premiums at worst stay the same if not decrease and my co-worker's premiums go up? Same argument as the airfare scenario, just a different disguise.
Steve Volckmann Aug 5th 2008 3:46PM
People should pay their fair share of what it costs to fly them. An individuals weight and the weight of their luggage should be reflected in how much they are charged. Other "shipping" companies charge by weight and we accept that fact. There is nothing inherently wrong with being large, just pay your way!
john Aug 5th 2008 5:25PM
I just got off a flight with not a large person sitting next too me but a very large obese and physically disgusting human being. I pay the same amount "weekly"for a seat. Yes weekly, I always see big people in the waiting area and almost but not quite hope for an infant or a toddler! I am not that brain dead from flying too much. I pay the same amount as "Fatty" does and he/she take up 20% or more of my seat. I finally have resorted to saying something to these individuals by asking them if they intend to reimburse my for 20% of my fare for taking up my seat. I am really tired of this PC crap if you are really obese it is not my fault but your own! Why do I need to suffer the indignity of being squeezed up in my paid in full seat. ENOUGH make them pay a surcharge and give it to the person that is being squeezed out. They can always by 2 tickets, go first class or DIET. enough said you should get my point !!
matthew scott Aug 5th 2008 3:53PM
Your comments are insensitive and rude.
The mere notion of charging overweight people more is discrimination were already paying more for other things. many overweight people suffer trying to struggle with weight issues like trying to loose weight.
doing things like this just inflame the issue more.
se what we go through before you make a comment loke that.
ken Aug 5th 2008 4:38PM
Wellll, if they charge more for overweight folks then they are gonna have to determine height as well.....a 6'2" man SHOULD weigh more than one that is 5'8". Sounds like a lot of trouble to me......and how about a skinny person? Do they get a rebate from the regular fare? After all, they supposedly saved the airline money........an idea that won't "fly"........ken
MIKE G Aug 5th 2008 5:39PM
THAT STATEMENT IS RIDICULOUS....YOUR PAYING FOR THE SEAT WETHER YOU WEIGH 120 POUNDS OR 220 POUNDS...WHAT ABOUT THE 120 POUND PERSON WITH 5 PIECES OF LUGGAGE AND THE 220 POUND PERSON WITH 1 PIECE OF LUGGAGE ? HOW WOULD YOU CHARGE EACH OF THEM IF WEIGHT IS THE FACTOR ?
Stg.Simpatico Aug 5th 2008 6:00PM
"I would love to see airlines base airfares on passenger weight, in fact, I'd be among the first to book a flight in this manner. This is a great idea, and I believe the airlines should embrace it. There's no way it costs the same to transport a heavy traveler, as it is to transports a lighter traveler. Look at UPS, and FedEx, they charge different rates for different package sizes, why can't airlines?" Its discrimanation you Moron,What if the airlines started charging more because your short and ugly,Dumbass.
Denise Aug 5th 2008 7:15PM
How warm and fuzzy you must be as a person. There are people who truly have medical conditions that make them over-weight. Not only do they have to deal with the medical condition, and the nasty looks other people give them, now they have to deal with idiots like yourself. Thats right punish the handicap that is so the right thing to do. I hope the first airlines that does that, they find thenselves in court facing a lawsuit.
Sara Aug 5th 2008 7:55PM
You should fly Southwestern because they charge larger passengers for 2 seats. Which means you might not get a seat on the airplane you need to fly.
W57thNY Aug 5th 2008 11:10AM
Brian M., I'm 5'10", and 160lb, so I don't exactly fall into the 'small' category, nor do I fall into the 'larger traveler' category. I understand that with the 'pay by weight' fare structure, some people would pay more for airfare than I do, but I also understand that some people would pay less for airfare than I do. I also realize that the 'pay by the pound' structure, while it doesn't seem fair, treats people as if they were cargo, you must be missing something if you don't think the airlines already look at you as cargo. The reason I think the 'pay by the pound' method is fair is because I don't think my fare should subsidize anyone else's airfare, nor should anyone else's airfare, subsidize mine. It costs more to move a heavier package, than a lighter one (and as I said before, that's all the airlines see us as - packages that happen to eat, and breathe), therefore we should pay accordingly. Should I end up overweight one day, I will deal with it, and not blame society for not accomodating.
bawno23 Aug 5th 2008 2:15PM
Terrible reply sprinkled with fancy words. I am 6'5" 215lbs. I am JUST over my average weight by 15 lbs. Now if you make me pay for the 15lbs, sure, but to use my total weight not considering my height (WHICH IS NOT FLEXIBLE), then you are segregating and discriminating against something I cannot change.
Jason Aug 5th 2008 3:04PM
The Idea of making larger people pay is good, just not the idea of paying by the pound. People cant help how tall they are, and as anyone with a 1st grade education knows the larger something is the more its going to weigh. That being said. The problem is people that are morbidly obese. The 5 ft 10 guy or gal that weighs 400 lbs plus and takes up two seats on the plane. That is thier own fault. They ate themselves without exersizing into that state and can pay the consequences. So here is an idea. If a person can fit into one seat without disrupting the passenger next to him/her then the ticket should cost the same for everyone. If the person can not fit into a seat without disrupting the person next to him/her then they have to buy two tickets.
rra1139 Aug 5th 2008 7:23PM
Charging travelers by how much they weigh probably would not fly because of the discrimination aspects of it. But it is not too far fetched to think that it might come to the point where each passenger is weighed with all their luggage, both checked and carry on, and charged accordingly. That is more relevant to the issue at hand. Problem would be that it would take more ticketing staff to do it. Have the airlines ever thought about just raising their fares to accomodate the fuel cost??
bawno23 Aug 5th 2008 2:11PM
Only problem...as a 6'5" male, my weight will be 50-100 more than a 5'0" female. They will have to base this off of some kind of average weight per height deal. And if weight of a person is considered, when does the carry on factor in? This is an EASY way to raise prices b/c they normal price will be for average weight person and average carry on. Interesting to see how this turns out...
Alice Aug 5th 2008 2:10PM
Yes they should charge fat people more. My husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska and had to fly to Seattle. There was a fat city type woman on the plane and took uo two seats. The worst part was, she really smelled bad from not bathing. They should screen people also so that they won't offend others.