Samoa Air finds unfair solution to weighty problem
Samoa Air grabbed some headlines last week, probably for the first time in its history, when it became the first airline to base its airfares on a passenger’s weight.
Clearly this ruffled a few feathers, or rippled a few fat rolls, among industry figures and travellers alike. “How dare they discriminate against larger people,” cried the big-boned masses (and I do mean ‘masses’). “Not a bad idea, that…” thought a few airline executives. While other regular fliers quietly considered going to the gym, or avoiding the airport doughnut stand.
So is Samoa Air’s system fair? Well no, not really. Just as a clothing manufacturer doesn’t charge more for XL or XXL sizes, despite the extra material used, airlines shouldn’t charge passengers more for adding weight to the flight, and thus burning more fuel.
But for Samoa Air, it kind of makes sense. You see, Samoa is officially the fourth fattest country in the world, with the average Samoan citizen weighing in at a hefty 78.5kg. Only Micronesia, Tonga and the USA weigh more. So Samoa Air, with its fleet of four-seat aircraft, is carrying approximately 314kg of weight (not including the crew) per flight – 27kg heavier than New Zealand, 72kg weightier than China, and a full 116kg greater than the world’s lightest country, Bangladesh. 116kg – in a four-seat aircraft! Translate that to a 500-seat Airbus A380 and it’s a difference of 14.5 tonnes!
So you could argue that Samoa Air is just covering its losses – implementing a fuel surcharge, if you like, to mitigate the effects of this weight imbalance. But is it fair on Samoan passengers? Having watched their rugby team a few times, it certainly seems like they are a naturally big nation – built like the proverbial brick outhouse and not carrying too much excess flab. So should they be penalised for what is essentially a genetic trait? No, they shouldn’t.
And herein lies the problem; a weight-based system penalises not only the fat, but those who are naturally big. Why should a Vietnamese marathon runner get a cheaper flight than a Tongan weightlifter? They’re both athletes after all.
So let’s draw a line under the weight-based pricing – it’s not fair on passengers. Now someone pass me the Krispy Kremes…