How do airlines calculate weight?

Under the Civil Aviation Authority's rules, airlines can estimate average passenger weight by conducting routine surveys or they can recognize the standard weight that's set by the authority—which is 190 pounds for people 13 and over, including carry-on luggage, the Associated Press reports.



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“Typically, an operator calculates takeoff weight by adding the operational empty weight (OEW) of the aircraft, the weight of the passenger, cargo payload, and the weight of fuel.

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For an airplane, weight is a force which is always directed towards the center of the earth. The magnitude of this force depends on the mass of all of the parts of the airplane itself, plus the amount of fuel, plus any payload on board (people, baggage, freight, ...).

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How does the airliner crew know if the plane is overweight before takeoff? To ensure that an airliner is within its weight and balance limits, the crew uses a system that consists of three elements: weighing, recording, and loading.

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Weight and balance control should be a matter of concern to all pilots. The pilot controls loading and fuel management (the two variable factors that can change both total weight and CG location) of a particular aircraft.

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Even though U.S. airlines have other means to determine the average passenger weight, an advisory circular from the Federal Aviation Administration said airlines are allowed to weigh travelers at any given time.

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While some travelers may be surprised to find themselves asked to step on a scale, this decision isn't made by airlines – it's often mandated by governmental airline regulators.

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It is rare for airlines to weigh your carry on or hand luggage. So long as your bag is not clearly overweight, and you're able to carry it with ease – you shouldn't have any issues with a slightly overweight bag.

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If the aircraft tried to land without dumping the fuel first, it is considered an overweight landing attempt and could place immense stress on the airframe. It could also increase the risk of fire and fuel leaking onto the tarmac.

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5 June 1989. 5 June 1989: The Antonov An-225 ???? (Mriya—Dream in the Ukranian language) took off from Kiev with the space shuttle Buran, enroute to the Paris Air Show. The total weight at takeoff was a 1,234,600 pounds (560,005 kilograms)—the greatest weight ever lifted by an aircraft.

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What about stepping on a scale? Many reacted less-than-fondly to an announcement earlier this month that Korean Air, a South Korea-based airline, planned to weigh passengers before boarding. A representative for the airline told CNBC the practice would last for about three weeks, and is required by law.

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The main reason commercial airlines board passengers from the front to the back is to maintain balanced weight distribution. It ensures that neither the front nor the back of the airplane is bearing too much weight. Airplanes, of course, are typically heavier in the back. The back is where the engines are located.

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Pilots don't typically lose weight while flying long distances solely due to the act of flying itself. However, factors such as changes in eating habits, time zone adjustments, and the sedentary nature of long flights can affect their overall health and potentially their weight over time.

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EasyJet left 19 passengers on the runway in Lanzarote, Spain as the plane became 'too heavy' to take off due to weight and weather conditions. The pilot offered a 500 euro incentive for volunteers to stay behind.

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Weight gained after a vacation or indulgent weekend doesn't mean you've put on fat. It's probably just water retention, experts say.

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