TRAVEL TIDBITS - Samoa Air will charge air fare based on passenger's weight

South Pacific airline Samoa Air recently launched the concept of weight-based pricing of air tickets. This means, if you want to travel with Samoa Air, you will need to ‘pay what you weigh’.  The cost ranges from 93 cents to $1.06 for each kilogram (or 2.2 pounds). So, while booking your ticket, you would need to submit your weight, including your luggage, when booking to calculate your fare. While it seems to be a boon for those who weigh less, it spells trouble for those who are obese.

A topic that has garnered widespread response among travellers across the world, it has sparked a much-heated debate on online portals. Defending the airline’s decision, Samoa Air Chief Executive Chris Langton states that “Planes are run by weight and not by seat. The plane can only carry a certain amount of weight and that weight needs to be paid. There are no extra fees in terms of excess baggage or anything - it is just a kilo is a kilo is a kilo.” Furthermore, calling it a ‘concept of the future’, Langton said, “People generally are becoming much more weight conscious. That's a health issue in some areas.”

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