Passengers' weight prompts action from Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines executives had a dilemma: Their planes were burning more fuel than projected on their regular 4,180km route between Honolulu and American Samoa. Various factors for increased fuel use, like winds, were ruled out. So the carrier asked passengers on the twice-weekly flights if they wouldn't mind being weighed before boarding. The results of Hawaiian Airlines' 6-month voluntary survey found that on average the passengers and their carry-on bags were 13.6kg heavier than anticipated, and it's prompted a new policy: Passengers are no longer allowed to pre-select their own seats on flights between Hawaii and the US territory. But the new policy has prompted complaints to federal transportation officials and claims that people from American Samoa are being targeted because of their weight. <br/>