is selling tickets not by the seat, but by your weight. Samoa Air is now pricing flights based on the weight of its passengers and their bags. Depending on the flight, each kilogram (2.2 pounds) costs 93 cents to $1.06. And while there are some definite drawbacks to this (I have to disclose my weight when I buy a plane ticket??) I actually see a couple benefits to this:
1.) Every year I tell myself I’m going to lose weight before vacation so I can wear whatever I want and not have to worry about what I eat or drink while on vacation. This might actually encourage me to follow through on this one year. Not only to save some money, but also to save some embarrasment.
2.) I’m a serial overpacker. Going to Hawaii? Yeah, I probably don’t need that evening gown and heels but I pack it anyway just to be safe. If I were paying for my luggage by weight though, changes are I’d throw a swimsuit and towel, shorts, sunscreen and a pair of Tevas in a carryon and call it good.
It also looks like it would be more economical. The average American man weighing 195 pounds with a 35-pound bag would pay $97 to go one-way between Apia, Samoa, and Pago Pago, American Samoa. Competitors typically charge $130 to $140 roundtrip for similar routes.
So how is this going to work out logistically? Oregon Live has the details.