Rest assured, there is no extra charge for anyone. But some companies, in addition to asking for traditional identity papers and boarding passes, make passengers get on the scale before boarding the plane.
This is what Korean Air, a Korean airline, has planned to do for the month of September on some flights from Gimpo and Incheon international airports. Information confirmed in a statement from the company reported by CNN. But what interest for airlines?
It is not a question of limiting the weight of the passengers of the aircraft but of a simple collection of data to obtain the total weight of the aircraft in flight. Data that makes it possible to better determine fuel needs, or the weight distribution in the aircraft for even more safety.
"No one can see your weight"
Information on the weight of passengers and their suitcases will remain anonymous, and will be transmitted to the Korean Ministry of Transport responsible for regulating this area. Customers can, however, object to this practice, which has no legal obligation, even if it has already been implemented by many other airlines.
Passengers boarding a Korean Air plane in the next few weeks may be asked to take one additional step before boarding -- stepping on the scale. https://t.co/2itC4LExNU
— CNN International (@cnni) August 24, 2023
This is the case, for example, of Air New Zealand at the beginning of the year, always on a short period and on certain flights such as those between Auckland and New York. "We know it's disconcerting and intimidating to step on the scale. We want to reassure our customers that there is no visible display anywhere, explained at the time a representative of the New Zealand company. No one can see your weight, not even us! »