By Jack Peat
The plans have divided opinion.
A major airline is asking more than 10,000 customers travelling on its international network to take part in a passenger weight survey this June.
Air New Zealand has said the survey is required by the country’s civil aviation authority and that pilots need to know the weight and balance of their loaded aircrafts.
The information is “essential to the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft”, an official for the airline said, but the plans have divided opinion.
Responding to the news, social media users compared the policy to an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Jeff Greene refuses to disclose his weight for a private flight, saying: “My weight, my business”.
Alastair James, Air New Zealand’s load control improvement specialist, assured passengers their weight would not be displayed for others to see.
“We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft – from the cargo, to the meals, to the luggage in the hold,” he said.
“For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.
“We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere. No one can see your weight – not even us. It’s completely anonymous.
“It’s simple, it’s voluntary, and by weighing in, you’ll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time.”
The survey will take place at the entrance to the gate lounge of certain Air New Zealand flights departing from Auckland International Airport between 29 May and 2 July.
While the study will focus on international passengers, the airline already weighed domestic passengers in 2021.
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