Ozempic could make it cheaper to fly planes – will your ticket cost less too?

Around 1.6 million people in the UK are estimated to be using weight loss drugs, including Ozempic. In the US, it’s around 15 million, with roughly one in eight adults having dabbled at some point.

The rise of these drugs has sparked much debate, but a new study suggests they could have a surprising benefit for the airline industry: lower fuel costs and increased profits.

The findings come as GLP-1 weight loss drugs (the most well-known being Ozempic) launch in pill form, which may make it more convenient – and widespread.

The research, conducted by investment bank and financial services firm, Jefferies, calculated that a 10% decline in average passenger weight could reduce fuel bills by £432 million ($580 million).

How does this affect fuel costs?

The study analysed the spending of the four largest airlines in the US: United, Delta, American Airlines and Southwest.

It found that they will spend a combined £28.6 billion ($38.6 billion) on jet fuel in 2026, which accounts for almost 19% of total operating expenses.

However, when considering a 10% decline in average passenger weight — which is around a 2% reduction in aircraft weight — fuel consumption could be cut by 1.5%.

Though not a huge percentage at first glance, it actually represents a £430 million ($580 million) reduction in fuel bills.

‘A slimmer society equals lower fuel consumption. Airlines have a history of being vigilant around aircraft weight savings, from olives (pitless, of course) to paper stock,’ the firm said in a statement.

The latter is in reference to United Airlines’ 2018 move, when its in-flight magazine switched to lighter paper. This shaved around an ounce per copy and was expected to save 170,000 gallons of fuel per year. At the time, the savings were estimated as $290,000 (£215,420).

Therefore, Jefferies said that the ‘advent of the drug in tablet form and the decline in obesity rates paves the way for even more widespread use.’

What do the aviation experts say?

Rhys Jones, Aviation Editor at the UK’s biggest frequent flyer website, headforpoints.com tells Metro that, while it’s ‘an intriguing idea, aviation is rarely that simple.’

‘Airlines still need to fuel aircraft for the average passenger weight, as passengers aren’t individually weighed at check-in.’

Although, he adds that the fuel burn over the course of a flight could be marginally lower overall.

According to Rhys, a more ‘curious impact’ might be on meal services.

With weight loss drugs generally suppressing appetite and cravings, he suggests airlines could focus on fewer, higher quality ingredients —particularly in the premium cabins — just as many London restaurants have said they are doing.

Will weight loss drugs make ticket prices cheaper in the long run?

In short, no. ‘Airlines do not price tickets based on their costs but on what passengers are willing to pay,’ states Rhys.

‘That’s why flights during school holidays are more expensive — because lots of families can only travel during these times — and so are willing to pay more for their flights.

‘This is despite the cost of operating the flight being identical to a flight outside of school holidays.’

Jones does note that lower fuel consumption allows airlines to reduce the cost of tickets if they need to in order to attract more customers — and still break even or make a profit — but he says that the ‘lowest prices will continue to be outside of peak demand, and of course, there are other costs to consider which may increase, rather than fall.’

Are obesity rates falling?

In the US, yes, and it’s due to weight loss drugs.

2024 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated the obesity rate had declined from 42% to 40.3% over the past three years.

These figures are equivalent to 4.1 million adults moving out of the obesity category.

Meanwhile, 2025 research by the digital health provider Treated estimates that there will be a further 10.6% reduction in obesity over the next five years.

This decline is much faster than in Europe, where researchers predict a smaller 6.6% reduction over the same period.

In the US, they attributed this rapid shift to the popularity of medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro.

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