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An American airline has brought in a new ticketing policy where passengers are weighed at check-in – and seats are allocated to ‘manage weight across the cabin’.

One passenger, David Haleck, has complained after being weighed and allocated a seat to ‘balance’ the aircraft, according to Radio New Zealand.

Hawaiian Airlines now no longer allows any passengers to pre-select seats on flights between Pago Pago and Honolulu and weights everyone getting on board.

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It has been suggested that the move is because Samoa has a high rate of obesity – with up to 74.6% of adults considered obese, according to the CIA World Factbook.



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Haleck says, ‘Of course Hawaiian is saying that ‘yes it is a safety issue’ but, you know, weight distribution …so have we been flying unsafe for all these years?

The US Transportation Department has said it will investigate Mr Haleck’s complaint.