Korean Air to weigh passengers on domestic and international flights

Korean Air stated that it would be “measuring the average weight of passengers along with their carry-on items for flight safety” on its website.

The new rule will be tested first for domestic travellers at Gimpo International Airport from August 28 to September 6, and for international travellers departing from Incheon International Airport from September 8 to September 19.

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The airline has verified that if travellers do not want to share their weight, they can opt-out by informing airport staff. Typically, aircraft carry 1% more fuel than is necessary. Accurate passenger weight estimates could result in a $1 billion annual fuel savings by lowering additional fuel use.

Airlines are required to calculate average values for passenger standard weights and measure them at least every five years or as necessary in accordance with the “Aircraft Weight and Balance Management Standards” published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

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These numbers are used to calculate the weight and weight distribution of the aircraft. Before boarding, Korean Air customers will have their weights measured in front of the gate together with their carry-on luggage.

Korean Air is not the only carrier that has adopted this strategy. In recent years, many other international and domestic carriers, including Hawaiian carriers, Finnair, T’way Air, and Jeju Air, have conducted comparable passenger weight measurements. This practise is increasingly regarded as a required precaution to ensure aircraft safety and fuel efficiency.

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