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FLYERS, watch your waistlines: Airline introduces controversial new weight rule

Business Class passengers had better suck in that extra holiday weight before Thai Airways (THAI) metaphorically (and possibily, literally) wraps a tape measure around their waistlines.

Business Class passengers had better suck in that extra holiday weight before Thai Airways (THAI) metaphorically (and possibily, literally) wraps a tape measure around their waistlines.

The airline revealed last week that it is putting its high-spending 787-9 flyers through a ‘waist test’ to ensure their waistlines meet new weight requirements on the Dreamliner aircraft, The Nation reported.

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Excuse me indeed! Isn’t the world turning away from fat shaming?

Settle. Settle.

While the idea of a pre-flight ‘waist test’ does sound completely inappropriate, according to the carrier’s Director of Security and Flight Standard Division, Flight Lieutenant Pratthana Pattanasirim, it isn’t designed to offend, it’s actually required for safety reasons.

Pattanasirim explained that in compliance with standards set by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the carrier’s Dreamliners have been installed with new Business Class safety belts, which can only accommodate passengers with waistlines 56 inches or less.

measuring tape

As a result, passengers will be required to pass a ‘waist test’ before boarding to ensure they’re measure under 56-inches.

Not only does this new weight requirement affect people with wider waistlines, it prevents parents travelling with children required to sit on their laps from flying in the Business Class cabin.

Travel Agents may want to give their clients with bookings on THAI’s Boeing 787-9 a head up on the waistline restrictions, and consider getting in touch with THAI to see how guests with young infants can continue to fly Business Class seats.

READ: Hawaiian Airlines may send the Dreamliner to Aus

READ: Is Airbnb seriously thinking of starting an airline?

Side note: is anyone else relieved that it’s those high-end flyers receiving strict restriction for once?