Airline goes wide for obese fliers

Samoa Air, the first airline to charge passengers according to their weight, is introducing an "XL class" to cater for larger customers.

The Pacific national airline is creating a wider row for passengers who weigh more than 130kg.

Samoa has one of the world's highest obesity rates.

The airline's head, Chris Langton, said the XL row would be extended by 30-35cm, and the changes would be introduced by the end of the week.

"Once you're up around that sort of [weight], a traditional seat on any airline is going to be uncomfortable," he told ABC News.

"Often the access is difficult, and there's no room for your legs. That's where the XL has come in."

Passengers on Samoa Air do not pay for a seat, but a fixed price per kilogram, which varies according to the length of the route.

The passengers nominate their weight and are then weighed, along with their baggage, on scales at the airport.

The rates range from about $1/kg (R10/kg) on the airline's shortest domestic route, to about $4.16/kg for travel from Samoa to the neighbouring nation of American Samoa.

Langton believes other international airlines will eventually start charging by weight and modifying their aircraft to accommodate the changing shapes of their passengers.