For these flights, pay only what you weigh
By Aimee Heckel
Samoa Air calls it fair: It recently became the first airline whose rates are dependent on how much you weigh.
“You decide how much (or little) your ticket will cost,” the airline states on its website.
The formula: Your weight plus your baggage weight equals cost, or 93 cents to $1.06 per kilogram (2.2 pounds).
For example, using the estimate calculator on the website, a 120-pound passenger would pay about $114 to fly from Faleolo, Samoa to Pago Pago, whereas a 250-pound passenger would pay about $239. A 40-pound kid would travel for $84.
Not sure what you’re weighing these days? Don’t worry, Air Samoa will weigh you again at the airport, the website notes.
Luckily, or unluckily, depending on your pants size, Samoa Air doesn’t have a long list of international flights. The air carrier was only newly launched to connect the Islands of Samoa.
Beyond going on an unhealthy crash diet, here are some other ways to reduce your rates if you fly Samoa Air — or just lighten your load, no matter which airline you choose.
Pack a lightweight suitcase. This goes for any airline that weighs your baggage. Soft-shelled bags tend to weigh less than hard-sided suitcases, but if you’re partial to hard suitcases, look for one made out of ABS or polycarbonate, according to Overstock.com.
One of Overstock’s top sellers is the Travel Select by Traveler’s Choice TS6950 Amsterdam upright suitcase, currently marked down to $50.99 (from $129.99). At just over 10 pounds, this suitcase won’t drain your wallet.
Looking for a ridiculously great deal? Shop Overstock through ShopAtHome.com and you can get as much as 75 percent cash back.
Pack lightweight clothes. Jackets, especially, can take up a ton of space and weight. Ditch the bulky coats and look for something like the Larry Levine women’s lightweight hooded windbreaker, $49.99.
Shoes can add dead weight, so look for something like the Boston Traveler’s Men’s Lightweight Lace-up Running Shoes, $53.99
Consider cutting the weight of your technology. An older laptop model can be surprisingly bulky. (The supposed heaviest laptop weighed around 40 pounds, way back in the day.) The MacBook Air is known for being very light, at just under three pounds. Best Buy is currently selling a MacBook Air for $1,129.99 — marked down $70. Plus, shipping is free.
Tip: Shop Best Buy through ShopAtHome.com for great deals, plus up to 2 percent cash back.
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