• ccunning@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    3 hours ago

    I feel like this is a fairly common opinion. Also, I believe they do have to after some point; not sure how the airline decides though?

    • over_clox@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      3 hours ago

      It’s got to do with calculating the amount of fuel for the plane. More weight requires more fuel.

      Edit: I’m sure it’s also partly exaggerated capitalism, the companies want every dollar they can milk from the passengers…

      • Devial@discuss.online
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        1 hour ago

        No it isn’t. Not in large airplanes. The typical takeoff weight of an A320 is in the neighborhood of 50-70 tons. The pilots do not give a shit if a few passengers weigh a couple 100kg more than the average, and that’s a narrow body. A couple PAX being grosly obese on a widebody, with typical takeoff weights in excess of 100 tons, is even more negligible.

        Fuel calculations and weight&balance is calculated based on assumed average weights for men, women and children, generally something in the neighborhood of 85kg for men, 75 for women and 30-40 for children (includes assumed average hand luggage weight as well)

        • over_clox@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          1 hour ago

          You’re using actual reasoning, while dismissing my edit of corporate greed reasoning. You better believe, especially in capitalist USA, they’d just as soon charge you $10 a fart if they could…

      • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        2 hours ago

        I mean, mass is a massive factor for flight.

        If you ever fly on a small plane, they ask your weight, and cap your luggage weight because they absolutely have to.