Floatplane Questions

[pugmadkate]

We booked a flight plane tour through HAL in Alaska and we’re very excited. I have a few questions for those who have done them.

 

Is there a weight limit per person? I was going to say I’m heavy but what the heck, I’m 300lbs and I’m worried I won’t be allowed to do it

 

How many people go on the plane? We’re a group of seven so I assume we’ll be on two separate planes?

 

Thanks!

[Sue from Canada]

We booked a flight plane tour through HAL in Alaska and we’re very excited. I have a few questions for those who have done them.

 

Is there a weight limit per person? I was going to say I’m heavy but what the heck, I’m 300lbs and I’m worried I won’t be allowed to do it

 

How many people go on the plane? We’re a group of seven so I assume we’ll be on two separate planes?

 

Thanks!

 

Usually at the bottom of the HAL excursion they will mention any weight limits and surcharges. Check again.

[Dancing Shoes]

I booked an independent floatplane in Ketchikan. On the reservation weights were asked. I'm sure if there was a restriction, it would have said so. You will probably be on 2 planes.

[3rdGenCunarder]

You'll almost certainly be in two planes. They may decide who goes in which plane and who sits where to balance weight. They didn't do that on our Anchorage flight, but when we did a flightseeing trip in Australia, they actually weighed everyone before assigning us to our planes.

[Sopwith]

The weight limit on a float plane is total weight, not necessarily by person, but they also need to balance. The most common aircraft up there is a de Havilland Beaver which usually seats 7 passengers + pilot, but the two three-abreast seats are a tight squeeze. A person of size would likely need two seats but might be okay up front with the pilot. Best to check with them in advance. This won't be the first time they've dealt with it.

 

In flights I've done (helicopters) they weigh each passenger but you can't see the dial and they don't say anything, just write down the weight. It's very discreet.

[DaveOKC]

As already mentioned, I think HAL's tour website will mention weight limits. As I recall, the last one we were on had an extra charge if you were over 250 lbs. I had to go on a diet first!

[pugmadkate]

Thanks, all!

 

My travel agent checked and there is no weight limit for planes. There is one for helicopters but we’re not doing a helicopter tour.

[mamaofami]

We did have to put our weight down on a form for a helicopter tour. The tour director said he added 10 pounds to each person's weight because they never tell the truth.