Have you heard the latest? Finnair started weighing some passengers and their carry-on luggage last month for select flights departing from their Helsinki hub. It created a firestorm. The British tabloid The Daily Mail shared several examples of outraged would-be travelers who vowed never to fly the carrier again, as well as some who incorrectly claimed an aircraft accident had never been attributed to incorrect passenger weights. (Actually, there’s been more than one.) But, the airline understood how the practice of weighing passengers could be controversial and draw negative attention, which is why they offered a detailed explanation about their decision. Before getting into details, it’s worth noting the weighing of passengers and their carry-on baggage on a select number of flights departing Helsinki is completely voluntary and anonymous.
Accurately estimating the weight of an aircraft during both takeoff and landing phases is vital to safe operations. Most things calculated, including the empty weight of the aircraft, the weight of the fuel, catering and potable water stores, are known quantities. The unknown quantity is the weight of passengers and their carry on luggage. In the early days of aviation, it was vital to weigh each passenger and their baggage prior to takeoff, primarily because aircraft were simply not as large as they are today. I can attest from my personal aviation experience that on smaller planes, each passenger's weight is proportionally more impactful to the weight and balance calculation, and it’s not uncommon practice today for passengers and luggage to be weighed before flights on small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Operating above the maximum weight limitation compromises the structural integrity of the aircraft and can adversely affect performance. Stability and control can also be affected by improper balance.
On commercial jetliners though, it’s common practice in most countries to use average weights. Regulators in the United States and Europe both prescribe average weights for airlines to use for passengers and their carry-on baggage. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) makes determined weights based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and even those fluctuate on a seasonal basis to account for the heavier clothing passengers wear during the winter months. In Europe, airlines can either use the standard weights defined by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA), or use their own measurements. When airlines elect to use their own measurements, EASA requires that those airlines update these figures every five years. Finnair, which began using their own measurements in 2018 based on data collected by weighing volunteer passengers, is due to update their measurements once again to satisfy EASA requirements.
Finnair has assured passengers who volunteer to be weighed that their results won't be linked to any identifying factors. Satu Munnukka, Head of Ground Processes at Finnair, said: “We use the weighing data for the average calculations required for the safe operation of flights, and the collected data is not linked in any way to the customer’s personal data. We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage, but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example. Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind.”
Finnair began collecting passenger data in February and will do so again in April, and May of this year. Data collection will end after the airline has received enough to estimate new average weights. The airline will then deliver those results to Finnish regulators in late 2024, and will use average weights based on the new measurements from 2025 through 2030, when the weights will again be updated if Finnair elects to continue using their own data to determine the averages. While the carrier did not provide a reason for electing to use its own measures for average passenger weights instead of the averages developed by EASA, it’s worth noting that airlines typically do so if they have good indication their own data would differ. More accurate passenger weights can also help airlines operate more efficiently. If passenger weight is overestimated, airlines would have to load more fuel, which adds more weight to the aircraft, so it’s environmentally friendly to avoid burning unnecessary fuel.
When the program began, the first passengers were seen standing on scales at Helsinki’s Vantaa Airport (HEL) next to a large sign that read: 'Voluntary Customer Weight Survey.” Finnair says that the scheme is necessary to understand the weight being carried by a plane on a given trip, which can massively fluctuate depending on where in the world you are, and what time of year the flight is taking place. An airline spokesperson reported that the scheme would get “accurate data for aircraft performance and balance calculations that are needed for the safe operation of flights,” instead of relying on European standard weights. A communications director previously said that Finnish people, for instance, tend to wear heavier items of clothing in colder months. "This is part of having a very strong safety culture in our organization,' he announced. 'We want to see if the data we are using for calculations is accurate. We use them for every flight, and they're important for the aircraft's performance. When you explain this to passengers, they understand.” And engineers have backed the 'long overdue' move, saying that airlines need to be armed with the most up-to-date data in order to increase safety on flights.
A former US Air Force engineer told MailOnline, the world’s largest English-language newspaper Web site, “Airlines' estimates of weight and balance distribution on aircraft are very important to flight safety. But, weights are assumed based on averages from decades ago. Finnair told MailOnline the decision to weigh volunteers came about in 2017 when they chose to use their own measurements instead of relying on EASA's standard weights. So far, the company said, it was positively surprised by the number of volunteers.
A good number of Finnair passengers are happy to participate in the program when the rationale behind it’s explained to them. The measurements are crucial for the safety of their flight operations and the data collection is private and discreet, thereby avoiding potential embarrassment for any participant.
Until next time…safe travels.