Finnair sparks controversy by weighing its passengers

Finnair sparks controversy by weighing its passengers Getty Images Accurate passenger weight data serves a variety of safety purposes, but travellers are criticising Finnair's information-gathering effort. According to the airline, the weighing process is anonymous and the "data will only be used to optimise Finnair's current aircraft balance calculations". Getty Images "Weight plays a factor in including, but not limited to, takeoff, landing and climb performance," said Lauri Soini of the Finnish Pilots Association Hasselhoff also expressed concern that the now-voluntary programme could potentially become mandatory in the future. “As per aviation regulations, airlines are required to update the average weight of passengers every five years, to ensure the data used for flight planning and aircraft balance calculations is accurate," says the statement.