Samoa Air Introduces XL-Size 'Pay by Weight' Seating

Samoa Air is the world's first carrier to charge passengers by weight rather than per seat.

[Samoan Air Passenger]: 

"I kind of felt crazy when I heard about jump on the scales. I was like, what? Jump on the scales, but it's all good, it's not that bad." 

They’re now looking after their larger customers.

[Chris Langton, Samoa Air Chief]: 

"We can fit two fairly large people in there, heavy people in there and it’s comfortable for both. We've actually taken out a complete row of seats and replaced it so there is much more leg room for the passenger, there's no armrest." 

The airline charges 57 U.S. cents per 2 pounds for domestic flights and around a dollar per 2 pounds to American Samoa.

[Chris Langton, Samoa Air Chief]:

"It means that we're very efficient. We can now load the aircraft right down to the last few kilos." 

The Pacific Islands contain some of the world's most prevalent countries for obesity.