Finnair Asking Passengers to Be Weighed at Gate
A European airline has begun weighing passengers before they get on the plane.
Since the start of February, some people taking Finnair flights from Helsinki have been weighed at the gate before traveling.
But don't worry, it's not for everyone. The airline says that it's "voluntary and anonymous" and it's happening for safety reasons.
All planes have a maximum weight to make sure that they are safe to take off. That includes the weight of the plane and everything — and everyone — in it.
We are not weighed before every journey because airlines use either average weights that they're given or their own measurements that are taken every five years.
Finnair has been using its own measurements and said that it's time to get some new ones.
The Finnish airline will take its measurements during February, April and May. The weighing will take place at these times because people are usually heavier in winter, when they have to wear big warm coats and extra clothes.
Passengers are weighed while holding their hand luggage and the airline said that only the member of staff at the gate will see the weight.
It will not be used in any other way or linked to passengers' names or data, Finnair said.
After just three days of weighing, Finnair said that 800 passengers had already volunteered to be weighed.
Other airlines have also been taking their own measurements, including Korean Air and Air New Zealand.
