Luggage airline charges - Time for a change?

[Hammerstone]

I'm interested to know peoples opinions on when they are charged for overweight luggage.

My view is, its currently a fairly unfair system.

Picture the scene. You are returning from a holiday in Orlando, and are a trim 13 stone in weight.

You arrive at check in, after being stuck behind an annoying vlogger trying to blag a free upgrade, when your suitcases are deemed overweight and so you need to stump up say $100 (for arguments sake) as you are 3kgs over.

Then passenger B who is behind you is 19 stone, and has also put on 5kgs in weight since departing due to enjoying disney too much, but his suitcases are fine, so he escapes without charge.

Passenger A (So you) clearly contributes less to the planes overall takeoff weight than Passenger B. The heavier the plane, I imagine the more fuel costs are added, but the point remains the same.

I can imagine a lot would hate to be fat shamed or similar, but overall its essentially a money spinning exercise.

What would the democratic peoples republic of Hammerstone do?

I would have a set weight overall per passenger for age.
Being Generous, a persons total weight allowance would be say 140kg. That includes them and a suitcase.

That would comfortably allow someone who is 18 stone, with what you would expect to be a normal suitcase for BA, with 3kgs or so to spare. On the flight back if you've put on 6kgs, then obviously there's an extra charge to pay.

The number of cases still applies and size dimensions.

[Feebee2]

Would you consider changing extra for those who wish to recline their seat as well.

[SgtElias]

Fattist and Luggageist 😉 I’m starting a Twitter storm, I’m not on Twitter, but you know what I mean 😎

[megaflyer]

Originally Posted by Feebee2

Would you consider changing extra for those who wish to recline their seat as well.

See more...

Plus of course for those who request a window seat then want others to move so they can visit the restroom ?

Luggage over weight costs more as when posted as heavy it should take 2 handlers (rather than 1 ) to lift but I am happy I pay extra as included in my ticket price of flying J or F and feel it duty to get vfm from my ticket price so take 3 pieces around 32k each

[Colette-S]

So what about people who are overweight due to illness or medication. Someone slim at 6ft would weigh more than someone slim at 5ft

[Hammerstone]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

So what about people who are overweight due to illness or medication. Someone slim at 6ft would weigh more than someone slim at 5ft

See more...

You are missing the point. Its about overall take off weight

Also, if someone is going to exceed limit I set out because they are overweight regardless of why, the chances are they will need more than one seat anyway, so if they paid for two seats, then thats fine as thats essentially two peoples allowances.

[Hammerstone]

Originally Posted by Feebee2

Would you consider changing extra for those who wish to recline their seat as well.

See more...

I would probably charge unfit people for more oxygen as they would use more than someone who is aerobically healthy due to their respiratory rate. 3 days before departure they will have to return a 5km run time observed by a healthcare professional.

[EssexSue]

Are there reduced rates for those travelling with children?

[2point]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

Are there reduced rates for those travelling with children?

See more...

If they can fit them inside the case and under 32kg they can take as many as they like as far as I'm concerned!

[Hammerstone]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

Are there reduced rates for those travelling with children?

See more...

Each child would have their own limit for age. A Healthy weight for a 10 year old would probably be around 35kg, so when you add on the 23kg suitcase, even at around 70kg would be generous. It probably could lead to reduced fares if you knew roughly the take off weight and worked out the fuel accordingly I imagine.

My airline would reward those under the allowance with priority boarding.

Hope no one is stealing this idea for Dragons Den. Branson, if you are reading this though drop me a PM.