“Not An Airline Problem”: Airlines’ Consideration Of Weight-Based Fees Sparks Controversy

Should airlines be charging passengers based on their weight? According to Fox News, that is the one million dollar question many companies are now debating. 

In 2013, Samoa Air first introduced something they called ‘fat tax,’ where passengers paid according to their weight. However, this wasn’t very popular and died down quickly.

Eleven years later, Finnair decided to expand its weight data collection initiative in February 2024. How it worked was that customers voluntarily weighed themselves along with their carry-on luggage at Helsinki Airport. It took place over three months and applied to both short flights and long haul flights.

Airline companies may start charging passenger based on their weight

Passenger seated on a plane, waving and smiling, surrounded by travel items, amidst debate on airline discrimination fees.

Image credits: jaebaeproductions

All data remained anonymous, with only age, gender, and travel class being revealed. This information will then be used to “update the airline’s aircraft balance and loading calculations for the period from 2025 to 2030,” wrote the outlet.

Now, there is growing interest in weight-based strategies.

A recent study asked 1,012 U.S. adults for their opinion on charging based on weight. There were three options: a regular fee with a set luggage limit, a ‘weight threshold’ where those who weighed over 160 pounds would pay extra, and a ‘body weight’ model where tickets would depend on someone’s weight.

According to the results, lighter passengers found this to be more favourable than heavier passengers, who preferred the current system. Although, the latter group was still open to the idea.

Passenger in patterned outfit seated on airplane, related to airlines' obesity fee debate.

Image credits: graciebon

But if we migrate over to social media, we’ll find that this option is being heavily debated.

Many influencers were against any changes, sharing their own experiences while traveling.

“Buying two airplane seats don’t fix my problem,” said one person. “Airplanes are too small for big people. It’s 2024 — bodies are changing. So, planes should too.” 

Another woman named Jaelynn Chaney, who launched her own petition, claimed, “My body isn’t the problem. The system is. When you’re forced to buy two seats or squeeze into a space that wasn’t designed for your body, it’s not just inconvenient, it’s dehumanizing. This isn’t a luxury — it’s a basic human right to travel with dignity.”

Plus-size influencers shared their experiences traveling, saying they deserved bigger seats without having to pay extra

 

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Nearly 40,000 people have signed her petition at the time of writing, with Chaney’s next goal reaching 50K.

“Demand for the FAA to Protect Plus-Size Travelers,” she wrote with the hashtag reading #BodyEqualityinTravel. 

She claimed she and her partner have had unfortunate experiences of “discrimination and discomfort” while on a plane. Her husband was allegedly the subject of many hateful comments and disapproving looks.

Woman in patterned outfit walking on airplane jet bridge, sparking debate on discrimination and fees for obese passengers.

Image credits: graciebon

“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,” Chaney, who is a size 6XL, said to CNN Travel. “And we have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.” 

But many of those who watched her video were not in agreement with her solution.

“Stop right there,” said one user. “It’s time to take responsibility for your own life instead of expecting the world to change because you’ve chosen to weigh over 200kg. Your situation is a direct consequence of your choices — just like smokers, alcoholics, and drug users, who also face restrictions and limitations.

“When our luggage exceeds the weight limit, we simply pay the extra fee — we don’t complain or make viral videos about it. So either pay for the additional seats or stop complaining.”

Other netizens, however, didn’t think ‘bigger seats’ was the best solution

A woman on an airplane smiles, text says "Please just make them bigger," related to discrimination and airline seating.

Image credits: graciebon

Another stated, “ACCESSIBILITY IS FOR THOSE WHOSE BODIES HAVE FAILED THEM, NOT FOR THOSE WHO FAILED THEIR BODIES! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again as many times as I have to.” 

A plus-sized passenger also weighed in on the issue, writing, “I HATE HATE HATE these videos. As a plus size person, I’ve had to use seat belt extenders in the past. This is a me problem. This is not an airline problem.

“It is NOBODY ELSES RESPONSIBILITY to cater to YOU!!!!! It’s f–cking absurd.”

 

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A post shared by GRACIE BON (@graciebon)

A fourth recalled, “What’s not fair is that someone else will have paid the full price for the seat next to you but will only get half of it. I’ve experienced this. I was between two large people. No consideration from them.

“One fell asleep and leaned on me even more. It was the worst flight of my life. Your selfish attitude creates the responses that you’re getting.”

One plus-sized passenger even advocated against the influencers

A passenger in a white shirt holding a red bottle inside an empty airplane, highlighting airline discrimination debate.

Image credits: jaebaeproductions

Passenger on a flight adjusting seatbelt, highlighting the debate on airline discrimination against obese passengers.

Image credits: jaebaeproductions

While no new policies regarding weight have been set, many airlines are considering the ethical and environmental implications of weight-based pricing. 

As said by Fox News, climate researchers suggest that this kind of model could “significantly reduce carbon emissions by creating a more direct correlation between passenger weight and fuel consumption.”

Experts have calculated that every additional pound on an airplane increases fuel burn. Some estimates say a reduction of 1% in total aircraft weight may lead to around 0.75% fuel savings.

 

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A post shared by Jae’lynn Chaney | Plus Size Travel ✈️ (@jaebaeproductions)

However, there are technologies that are emerging, such as advanced lightweight materials and more fuel-efficient aircraft designs, that can potentially remove weight-based pricing while simultaneously reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.

“It should be double the cost,” claimed one comment

Adam Francisco tweets on airlines weighing fees, sparking debate on discrimination against obese passengers.

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Tweet highlighting the debate on discrimination and airline fees for obese passengers compared to carry-on luggage limits.

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Tweet discussing airline seat size, referencing discrimination against obese passengers.

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Tweet discussing discrimination related to airlines charging fees for obese passengers.

Image credits: Nava2L8

Tweet discussing airline fees for obese passengers, suggesting doubling the cost.

Image credits: PolarCdn74

Tweet discussing airlines and fees for obese passengers, comparing to charges for tall people needing legroom.

Image credits: BarkosBite

Tweet discussing airlines weighing fees for obese passengers and the concept of personal responsibility.

Image credits: DesireeAmerica4

Old School Eddie's tweet comments on airlines' weighing fees for obese passengers.

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Tweet discussing airlines charging extra for space, referencing discrimination against obese passengers.

Image credits: DrSyedHaider

Tweet by Patricia Ledoux commenting on discrimination in airline fees debate.

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Tweet about airlines considering fees for obese passengers, suggesting buying two tickets for additional space.

Image credits: smh_sol

Tweet highlighting airline discrimination debate over seating fees for obese passengers.

Image credits: MaryAnne4ever

Tweet by Enzo Brown discussing airlines weighing fees for obese passengers, emphasizing safety and passenger payload.

Image credits: brown_enzo20834

Mik Rockhill's tweet responding to airline fees for obese passengers discussion.

Image credits: MikRockHill

Tweet discussing airlines and obese passenger seat size concerns.

Image credits: KnaughtyKnancy

Tweet discussing airlines' discrimination policy on fees for obese passengers.

Image credits: MihaiF89

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