Finnair Starts Weighing Passengers and Carry-ons at the Gate

Photo source: Finnair

Finnair, the flag carrier of Finland, this month is weighing customers and their carry-on baggage when departing from Helsinki Airport in order to collect data.

According to the airline, the weighing is voluntary and anonymous, and the data will only be used to optimise Finnair’s current aircraft balance calculations. The data will be collated at the airline’s home hub.

In a company announcement, the airline’s management explained that each aircraft has a set maximum weight – that cannot be exceeded – to ensure a safe take-off. The weight of the aircraft includes the weight of the aircraft itself and the weight of fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard catering, water tanks, and of course customers.

While airlines know the weight of all other aspects, the weight of customers and their carry-on baggage is calculated using average weights confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority. The alternative option is for airlines to either use their own measurements and confirmation of their results by the authority, or use standard weights defined by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA).

“We use the weighing data for the average calculations required for the safe operation of flights, and the collected data is not linked in any way to the customer’s personal data,” Finnair Head of Ground Processes Satu Munnukka clarified.

Photo source: Finnair

The weighment area will rotate around a select number of the airline’s flights’ departure gates in Helsinki Airport in February and April-May. The scheme will cover selected European flights within Helsinki Airport’s Schengen area and a number of long-haul flights departing from the non-Schengen side.

“We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage, but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example,” Mannukka said, adding that only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so travelers can participate in the study “with peace of mind”.

The average weights calculated based on the measurements will be delivered to Traficom – the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency – between July and September 2024, and after confirming the weights, Finnair will use them for aircraft balance and loading calculations between 2025–2030.