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A-WEIGH WE GO

Airline wins right to weigh passengers at check-in to prevent crash landings

The move has prompted fury from passengers who prefer to pre-book their seats

AN American airline will begin to weigh passengers at check-in because of "safety issues" over uneven weight distribution on-board.

Hawaiian Airlines will now assign seats at check-in after scrapping pre-booked seating to ensure passengers are weighed before they board the plane.

Hawaiian Airlines has caused outrage with its plans to charge passengers according to their weight
1
Hawaiian Airlines has caused outrage with its plans to charge passengers according to their weightCredit: Alamy

It's after the airline discovered the average passenger and carry-on luggage was heavier than expected.

The move sparked fury from customers while airline officials claimed an even distribution of weight could prevent a crash landing.

Despite six complaints to the US Department of Transportation, the department ruled in favour of the controversial decision.

It follows a six-month passenger weight survey on the Pago Pago route since February.

Now passengers flying the 2,600-mile route between Honolulu and the American Samoa will be weighed at check-in with their luggage to ensure cabin weight is evenly distributed.

Mua Migi, left, doesn't like the airline's new policy of assigning seats at the airport
Mua Migi, left, doesn't like the airline's new policy of assigning seats at the airportCredit: AP:Associated Press

The airline will keep at least one seat open per row or place children under the age of 13 in those seats, the airline said.
Businessman Avamua David Haleck has filed a complaint against Hawaiian Airlines, questioning why the policy is suddenly required.

Avamua told that if it were a safety issue, he would understand.

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He said: "Hawaiian is saying that 'yes it is a safety issue' but, you know, weight distribution... so have we been flying unsafe for all these years?"

The airline controversially announced it would charge passengers by weight three years ago.

At the time, its chief executive said the policy was the fairest way to charge people and made sense for smaller aircraft limited by weight.

Spokesperson Alex Da Silva told that no passengers will be asked to step on the scales now that the survey has been completed, and that the airline can still accommodate all parties and can sit families together.

Passengers stand at a Hawaiian Airlines check-in counter before a flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa at Honolulu International Airport in Honolulu
Passengers stand at a Hawaiian Airlines check-in counter before a flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa during trialCredit: AP:Associated Press

Hawaiian Airlines is not the first passenger carrier to make the move.

In 2013 Samoa Air started to weigh its passengers before Uzbekistan Airways also changed their policy to introduce the controversial move in 2015.

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