Slimmer Passengers Make Planes Lighter

Filed under 'We didn't see that one coming' weight-loss drugs could save airlines hundreds of millions of dollars in annual fuel costs as slimmer passengers make planes lighter. This is according to Jeffries, a Wall Street investment bank.

Well it will if passengers actually take the drugs.

Should airlines be proactive and incentivise passengers with free drug handouts?

Should airlines spread a rumour that they will start charging passengers by weight?

Should they actually implement it and if so, who will weigh the passengers? Can you imagine being weighed and the next customer eyeing the price you paid. So that's not going to work. So what should airlines do?

If I were running an airline I would put my money on convincing Government to roll out the drugs. Use the leverage and 'nudge' capability of Government to affect the behaviour of the public.

I wonder whether there are studies on the response of the public in different countries?

I was in Japan early last year - and you just don't see fat Japanese. I mean you do, but the very few fat people really stand out - like one in a thousand, or less.

Has Japan Airlines been benefiting from lower weight compare to other national airlines?

Lots to think about.