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Assessing air traveler preferences for pay-per-weight pricing

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  • Masiero, Lorenzo
  • Zoltan, Judit
  • Tolkach, Denis
  • Pratt, Stephen
  • Jørgensen, Matias Thuen
  • Schuckert, Markus
  • Chon, Kaye

Abstract

In efforts to reduce fuel consumption of air travel, the inclusion of passenger body weight in airline pricing is a relevant but contested opportunity. This study aims to investigate this issue from the economic perspective; by implementing a stated choice experiment to assess the stated preferences of consumers toward a set of predefined air passenger weight policies. Three policies are tested: “standard”, where price is defined irrespective of weight; “threshold body weight”, where an additional fee is required when exceeding a certain weight; and “unit body weight”, where passengers pay according to their body weight and receive a discount for reduced luggage size. In terms of respondents’ preferences for policies, service and price attributes were found to have significant importance, while environmental concerns related to pay-per-weight pricing received only marginal consideration. The results provide practical implications to airline companies regarding pricing policies and airline choice behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Masiero, Lorenzo & Zoltan, Judit & Tolkach, Denis & Pratt, Stephen & Jørgensen, Matias Thuen & Schuckert, Markus & Chon, Kaye, 2024. "Assessing air traveler preferences for pay-per-weight pricing," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:190:y:2024:i:c:s0965856424003501
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2024.104302
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