Airline initiates weighing passengers at the boarding gate

Getting our baggage weighed at airport check-ins is a familiar experience for most travelers. Equally familiar is the “crouch of shame,” that awkward stance when hastily removing something heavy from a bag that’s just a few ounces overweight.

But now, in a bold move, some airline passengers are volunteering to step onto the scales themselves before boarding the aircraft.

In a trial conducted by European carrier Finnair at its Helsinki Airport hub, volunteer passengers are being weighed at the departure gate to help the airline fine-tune its weight estimates for planes prior to takeoff. Adding a twist to the ordeal, passengers are weighed together with their carry-on bags—a potential nightmare for those attempting to sneak an overweight bag onto the plane unnoticed.

Fortunately, the weigh-ins are conducted anonymously, without any connection to individual bookings or passenger data. Päivyt Tallqvist, Finnair’s senior vice president of communications, assured CNN that only the gate staff members have access to the weight data.

The trial commenced on Monday, and by Thursday morning, 800 volunteers had already participated—a response that pleasantly surprised Tallqvist. She mentioned that Finnair had actively communicated about the survey through its social media channels and mobile app, and some volunteers had eagerly signed up even before the equipment was set up.

Finnair plans to weigh 1,200 passengers during the winter season, with more to follow in the summer.

Tallqvist explained that the airline is collecting data on the average weight of passengers and their hand luggage to ensure the safe operation of flights, including aircraft balance and performance calculations.

Airlines meticulously calculate the weight of everything onboard before each takeoff, from passengers and cargo to baggage and onboard supplies like catering and water. This data is crucial for determining the aircraft’s center of gravity, which affects seating arrangements, passenger limits, and luggage allowances. Each aircraft has a maximum weight limit for safe takeoff.

“While airlines have precise data for other aspects, such as cargo and catering, passenger weights and carry-on baggage are typically calculated using average weights provided by aviation authorities,” Tallqvist noted.

Finnair has been using its own weight measurements since 2018, but regular updates are required every five years. Hence, the current trial serves as a refresh.

Korean Air and Air New Zealand have also conducted similar weighing programs in recent years. Finnair’s data collection spans both winter and summer seasons, considering the heavier clothing and coats worn by passengers during Finnish winters.

The airline intends to calculate an average weight from the gathered measurements and submit the data to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency for verification. This information will be utilized for loading calculations from 2025 to 2030.

Despite concerns about privacy, Satu Munnukka, Finnair’s head of ground processes, assured passengers that the collected data is not linked to their personal information. “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,” Munnukka emphasized.

In an era where air travel safety and efficiency are paramount, Finnair’s initiative aims to ensure accurate weight estimates for safer and smoother flights, offering passengers reassurance and peace of mind amidst their journey.