Outcry over moves to weigh air passengers shown in polls
When it was first suggested a few years ago, it seemed like the idea would never take off.
But as airlines bring in new rules to weigh passengers — as well as their luggage — travellers are fighting back.
More than half were against the move — which is aimed at reducing carbon emissions by enabling operators to cut fuel use through being able to more accurately gauge their loads.
A poll found nearly 60 per cent had concerns about weight policies, saying it was unfair and risked stigmatising heavier passengers.
Older travellers were most likely to oppose the idea while under-35s were more supportive, the research in the journal Transportation Research found.
Markus Schuckert of the University of New Hampshire, which produced the study, said: “The main roadblock remains ethical concerns.”
Earlier this year Finnair introduced a voluntary passenger weighing system.
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