Low-cost Airlines Now Weigh Travelers Together With Luggage to Ensure “Fair Fares”

Several budget airlines have announced a controversial new policy: passengers and their luggage will now be weighed together before boarding. The measure, according to International Budget Airlines Association representatives, aims to create “a more efficient and fair ticket pricing model.”

Under the new system, travelers will step onto industrial-size scales with their carry-ons and checked bags. Fares will adjust in real time based on the combined weight. Airlines claim this approach eliminates hidden baggage fees and encourages customers to “fly lighter”.

One airline executive told CNN Travel that the change could cut fuel costs by as much as 12% annually. “It’s a win-win. We save on fuel, passengers save if they skip dessert,” he said.

Critics argue the policy discriminates against heavier individuals and could lead to public embarrassment at the gate. Passenger rights groups, including the Air Travelers Alliance, have already signaled plans for legal challenges.

Airlines defend the measure by pointing to cargo shipping standards, where total weight is the key cost factor. “Planes don’t care if it’s suitcases or sandwiches — weight is weight,” one spokesperson told Reuters.

The first rollout is scheduled for early summer, starting at select airports in Florida. Industry insiders predict that other low-cost carriers will quickly follow if the program proves profitable.