The airline will weigh passengers before boarding a flight

An unprecedented situation will begin to occur in Air New Zealandas the ocean nation’s airline will start weighing its passengers before boarding a flight.

The weigh-in will be voluntary, the airline said in a press release, and will allow Air New Zealand to improve fuel efficiency based on the results. Historically, airlines have applied a maximum weight allowance for carry-on and checked baggage, and have taken into account the number of passengers, food and drink on board, and the fuel required to reach a destination.

Air New Zealand says it hopes to weigh 10,000 passengers to help pilots better understand the plane’s weight and balance before takeoff.

“We have to know the weight of everything on board the aircraft, and there is a good reason for this,” said Alastair James, the airline’s specialist in improving cargo control. He said knowing the total weight of aircraft during flight is “essential for the safe and efficient operation of an aircraft.”

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires airlines to rate passenger weight in one of two ways. The first option is to weigh passengers, as Air New Zealand does, or accept the standard weight set by the CAA, which is 190 pounds (86 kg) for those aged 13 and over.

The Air New Zealand survey begins this week and runs through July 2, and Alastair James, the airline’s specialist in improving cargo control, said in a press release: “We know it can be difficult to get on the scale. We want to assure our customers that there is no visible screen anywhere. No one will see your weight, not even us! It’s completely anonymous.” He added: “Despite this, it will help us fly safely and efficiently at all times.”