Korean Air faces backlash over move to weigh passengers

Korean Air Lines' Boeing 787-9 [KOREAN AIR LINES]

Korean Air Lines' recent decision to measure passengers' weight sparked backlash and privacy concerns among travelers.

Korea's largest airline will measure the weight of passengers, including their carry-on baggage, at Gimpo Airport for domestic passengers from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6 and at Incheon Airport for passengers on international flights from Sept. 8 to 19.

The measure complies with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation regulations, which mandate the assessment of standardized passenger weight that encompasses their carry-on items.

Reactions to this news have already surfaced online.

"It feels awkward that others will know my weight," read one comment. Queries have also risen, with other commentators asking, "If I weigh less, will they let me carry on more baggage?" or "Will I be charged more if I weigh more?"

According to the Aircraft Weight and Balance Control measure outlined by the ministry, airlines are bound to calculate the passenger standard weight every five years or whenever circumstances warrant. This average plays a role in determining aircraft weight distribution and enhancing flight safety.

"Korean Air passengers will be asked to step on scales with their carried-on items at each boarding gate," an airline official told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Monday. "The data collated anonymously will be utilized for survey purposes and doesn't mean overweight passengers will need to pay more."

Passengers who prefer to opt out of this process can communicate their decision to the boarding staff.

The average passenger weight, including carried-on items, differs across nations.

Based on a 2017 survey, the stipulated average weight for adult males during the summer season was set at 81 kilograms (178.6 pounds), with adult females set at 69 kilograms. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends an average weight of 88.4 kilograms for adult males and 70.3 kilograms for adult females.

Ordinarily, airplanes carry approximately 1 percent more fuel than is strictly necessary for a flight. Accurate passenger weight measurement holds the potential to curtail fuel consumption, potentially yielding annual savings of up to $1 billion.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]