Weightwatchers meets Boeing

April 6, 2008 in Business
Tags: airlines, BA, diet, fuel costs, Terminal 5

Airlines are putting their planes on a diet. Wired reports that in an effort to reduce fuel costs American airlines are “going over their planes with a fine tooth comb and tossing anything that isn’t absolutely necessary” <link>.

“You have to give it to the airlines, they’ve left no stone unturned. Just how far are they going? US Airways is chucking meal carts and replacing them with models that are 12 pounds lighter. They’ve also tossed the glassware in first class in favor of less jet-set but lighter plastic cups. Carriers also are pulling magazine racks, trash compactors and ovens because honestly, what U.S. airline is broiling up hot meals these days?”. (I can confirm that based on the food I’ve been served, none).

Maybe one day airlines will ask us how much we weigh and charge us accordingly. Good news for little blokes like me.

There is of course no need for BA to do this. With the debacle at Terminal Five, a proportion of their planes aren’t actually leaving the ground at the moment.