S
amoa Air has become the first airline to charge passengers according to how much they weigh. The company carries travelers on hops between Pacific islands that have some of the highest obesity rates in the world. Instead of charging for each seat, Samoa Air has started weighing passengers along with their luggage, and charging them a fee reflecting the total, depending on the length of the flight. Fees range from about $1 to $4 per kilo (2.2 pounds), meaning passengers pay a little under $50 to $200 per 100 lbs. "This is the fairest way of traveling," Samoa Air CEO Chris Langton says. "There are no extra fees in terms of excess baggage or anything.