From 2026, airline tickets will be based on weight: Airlines start charging passengers according to kilograms

Starting January 27, 2026, some international airlines will implement new rules where passengers who do not fall under a specific weight limit will pay extra fees, potentially making their flight tickets up to twice as expensive. In recent years, the issue of the true cost of air travel has become increasingly central—not just related to baggage fees or extra services—but tied to how airlines are redefining the very concept of a seat on board.

This change is being seen as a major shift that could alter the criteria for the “right to fly,” introducing standardized weight limits and stricter controls, effectively reducing passengers to a set of parameters that determine the cost of the seat they occupy.

The initiative has sparked debate, with many viewing it as a new form of discrimination, raising questions about how to balance airline profits with passenger rights. These changes are no longer hypothetical, as some airlines have already started applying these rules in practice, directly affecting passengers’ daily experiences and challenging the traditional idea that the aviation industry offers uniform, inclusive fares.

At the forefront of this transformation is the American low-cost giant, Southwest Airlines, which according to TgCom 24, will begin implementing the new rules on January 27, 2026.

Passengers who previously could request a second seat or receive a refund if a flight was full will now need to purchase in advance under stricter new criteria, with refunds only available in very specific cases. This measure is expected to have a significant impact, especially in countries where over 70% of adults are classified as overweight or obese.

“KORÇA BOOM”