Ali Condon
Air New Zealand has assured customers they have nothing to worry about after announcing plans to weigh passengers with their luggage before take-off.
The airline recently announced plans to get people to step onto the scales before their flight as part of a new survey they're conducting.
Described as an 'essential' initiative, the survey will be used to determine the average customer weight, which pilots need to know before departure.
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"We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft - from the cargo to the meals on board to the luggage in the hold," said Air New Zealand Load Control Improvement Specialist, Alistair James.
"For customers, crew, and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we are getting from doing this survey."
Air New Zealand will launch this initiative, a requirement from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), from June to July.
It will be held at the entrance to the gate lounge of selected Air New Zealand flights departing from Auckland International Airport.
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Around 10,000 passengers will need to be weighed to make the survey effective, as are the CAA's requirements.
For any customers who were concerned or uncomfortable about being weighed before their flight, the airline insisted that not all passengers will be weighed for the survey, and it will be strictly voluntary.
"We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere. No one can see your weight – not even us! It’s completely anonymous," James from Air New Zealand assured.
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"It's simple, it’s voluntary, and by weighing in, you’ll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time.”
Not only that, but all the data that comes from the survey is totally anonymous.
See? Nothing to worry about!
Air New Zealand carried out the same survey back in 2021 domestically, and that got passengers a little panicked too.
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Seeing the news at the time, one concerned customer, TV presenter Hilary Barry, tweeted: "OMG Air NZ announces to everyone in the terminal it's conducting a survey to weigh both passengers and hand luggage today. That won't be embarrassing AT ALL."
But a representative from the airline was quick to put Hilary and her followers' minds at ease, replying: "It’s a regulatory requirement to calculate the average weight of our passengers, crew, and baggage every five years. All data is anonymous, so there is no need to feel embarrassed! Taking part isn’t compulsory, but we appreciate our customers helping out."