Finnair is breaking out the scale this fall to weigh passengers departing from Helsinki Airport.
Finland's flag carrier will kick off the new voluntary pilot program Tuesday in hopes of measuring the weight of at least 150 travelers and their luggage, according to YLE News.
The airline will use the data to more accurately calculate an aircraft's weight and balance. The data could be especially beneficial as it will be based on actual Finnair customers and routes.
"Loads are different in the summer, for example, when people don't have their winter jackets and shoes and other paraphernalia. There is also a considerable seasonal difference in hand luggage weight for business and leisure travelers," said Finnair's media relations director Paivyt Tallqvist, via YLE News.
Up until now, Finnair has leaned on the nearly decade-old standards established by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
"The scales will measure the combined weight of the passengers and their hand luggage. No one but the customer service provider will see the results, which will be entered into the database anonymously," added Tallqvist.
Finnair will also record the customer's age, gender, travel purpose, passenger class and checked-in luggage as part of the program.
Tallqvist estimates the airline will need anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 specimens to obtain significant insight, which means additional phases of the program could be launched in the winter and spring.
Finnair isn't the first airline to weigh passengers for its own benefit. In 2015, Uzbekistan Airways rolled out a similar plan.
A poll conducted by The Telegraph found that nearly one-third of travelers (32 percent) wouldn't board a flight if they had to step on a scale first.
Nonetheless, passengers taking part in Finnair's program will have the option of saying no. The airline's efforts are the latest example of how it is working to remain at the forefront of safety and environmental sustainability.
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