Weight Loss drugs could save airlines $580 million a year in fuel costs

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A recent report from Jefferies Research Services suggests airlines might save significantly on fuel costs if the increasing popularity of weight loss medications results in passengers weighing less.

With more Americans using the new GLP-1 medications for weight loss, experts predict a ripple effect that could even lower the cost of flying. Because airplanes use more fuel when they’re heavier – considering passengers, baggage, and cargo – even slight weight reductions can lead to substantial fuel savings for airlines.

Airlines have always looked for ways to make planes lighter to save fuel, using things like lighter materials for interiors and streamlining food service. But traditionally, they haven’t been able to do anything about the weight of the passengers themselves.

How weight loss drugs could impact airline fuel costs

Jefferies analysts believe medications like Ozempic and Wegovy could significantly impact airline weights. They estimate that if these drugs led to an average 10% weight loss across the population, the total weight of passengers on flights would decrease by roughly 2%.

The analysis shows this change could save airlines about 1.5% on fuel costs and increase their profits by around 4% per share.

Jefferies estimated the impact by using a Boeing 737 Max 8 as an example. This plane weighs around 99,000 pounds when empty and can hold up to 46,000 pounds of fuel. If it’s carrying 178 passengers, who weigh an average of 180 pounds each, plus about 4,000 pounds of cargo, the total weight at takeoff would be 181,200 pounds.

As a plane enthusiast, I was reading about how even a small drop in average passenger weight could make a big difference. Apparently, if everyone weighed about 10% less – averaging around 162 pounds – a plane could weigh almost 200 pounds less overall! Analysts at Jefferies pointed out that across a whole fleet of airplanes, that weight reduction would translate into real fuel savings. It’s pretty interesting to think about how even small changes can add up!

Airline experts believe that if passengers weighed less, the four largest US airlines – American, Delta, Southwest, and United – could collectively save around $580 million each year on fuel.

Airlines are predicted to collectively spend $38.6 billion on jet fuel this year. This new estimate from Jefferies builds on a previous report from 2023 and comes as more drug companies develop weight loss medications available as pills.

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2026-01-19 23:20