Rise of weight-loss pills could drive down the cost of airplane tickets

Jeffries predicts that a 10% reduction in average passenger weight could lower flight costs.(iStock)

Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog “View From the Wing,�

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“The heavier something is, the more fuel it burns,” he said.“If passengers weigh less, planes require less fuel to fly. If everyone went to the bathroombefore they flew, they’d weigh less and burn less fuel, too.”

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“So, if average passenger weight declines, then flying the same plane on the same route will cost the airline less to operate,” he went on. “And in the most contestable markets, that will bring down fares, too, as airlines compete for passengers.”

Leff suggested that this won’t be true in all markets.Where the “supply of flights is constrained,” like in major cities, these lower costs are more likely tobenefit the airlinesthan the passengers, as “costs fall, but fares do not.”

GLP-1 drug use is “too limited” to “meaningfully lower” average passenger weight at a population level, according to an expert.(iStock)

“Most patients discontinue therapy within one to two years, andweight regainafter stopping treatment is common, making durable, large-scale reductions in passenger mass unlikely,�“Even if modest fuel savings were realized, there is no evidence they would translate into lower ticket prices.”

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“GLP-1 medications represent a significant medical advance for individualcardiometabolic health, but extending their benefits to speculative effects on airline economics goes beyond what current clinical and population data support,” Vyas continued.

“Until broader access, durable adherence and sustained population-level outcomes are demonstrated, cheaper airfare should be viewed as a theoretical possibility — not a predictable consequence — of weight-loss drug use.”

reconsider in-flight menusto cater to this growing demographic, offering more high-protein, low-carb options.”

“Airlines may need to reconsider in-flight menus to cater to this growing demographic, offering more high-protein, low-carb options.”(iStock)

Balazs noted that weight-loss medications can lead togastrointestinal side effects, including GERD, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting.

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“From a medical standpoint, I would suggest loading up on antiemetics (medications that prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting),” Balazs shared as advice to the airlines.“Furthermore, I would counsel patients not to initiate therapy or administer a first dose shortly before a flight to avoid severe side effects at altitude.”