More to Love, More to Pay?

If the airlines do not charge for handicapped people to have extra accomodations, babies to have special accomodations, then they should not charge for a person who is overweight. If the reason to charge more is about weight and space then wheelchairs and strollers take up space and add extra weight.

by Tanie bilety lotnicze on Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The airlines need to think of a compassionate way to handle this problem. Charging large passengers "obesity" fees will only ridicule and embarrass them. That's bad business. They'll turn away from your brand and choose a different airline to fly on.

This a great opportunity for a "big and tall" airline to be started and for current airlines to retrofit seats/aisles in their planes. I appreciate JetBlue's extra legroom for a reasonable fee. Can an airline provide extra seat width for a reasonable fee?

by Fresh Airfare on Friday, July 03, 2009

Southwest violated their own policy in assuming that I did not fit in the seat with the armrest down when I did and even refused to see if I fit within the boundary of their guidelines. By looking at me and assuming that I would not fit in my seat with the armrest down, they made an invalid calculation thus resulting in size discrimination, an unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of size prejudice (being biased or having a belief or attitude formed beforehand). How do you know if I don't fit without seeing if my armrest goes down or not? Assumptions are always subject to not being valid and lead to misrepresentations of truth and validity. Since Southwest has gone so far as to create a policy, then perhaps they might now work on properly following their own guidelines within the Customer of Size Policy rather than refusing to see if a customer fits within the guidelines of the policy. Furthermore, Southwest purposely waited 30 seconds until the flight boarded before they approached me in order to try to put me between a rock and a hard place. They wanted to corner me into a situation where I was sooo nervous that I was going to miss my flight by not being allowed to board so that I'd feel forced to pay the extra. In short Southwest Customer Size Policy states: if the armrest fits you must acquit.

by Plusologie on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

My wife had a woman try to sit next to her after we were already seated and when the woman could not fit in her seat she violently threw the arm rest up between her seat and my wife's even though my wife's arm was on it and plopped down in the seat. Luckily the flight attendants saw the whole thing and made her move to another seat. On another trip I had to sit next to a gentleman who had already taken his seat and was well into mine on a flight. I had to drink my coffee with my left hand because I could not use my right hand to hold it. I ended up spilling the coffee on my leg and had to travel the whole transatlantic flight soaked in coffee. My position is that no person should not have to give up a portion of their already small space to another passenger for any reason. What is done about overweight passengers can be debated, but I am not ever again going to give up the little space that have to someone who doesn't fit in their theirs!

by pshooper on Monday, June 29, 2009

I have had the same problem with overweight sitting almost in my seat on a plane, and it's is annoying and uncomfortable, especially having to sit there for so long. I think it is inconsiderate for passengers to squeeze themselves into a seat that's too small for them. The airlines should charge them for overweight, like the baggage, and also charge them for an extra seat.

by Moi on Monday, June 29, 2009

Weight alone does not tell the entire story. I am overweight myself (280 lbs), and yet because of the way my weight is configured I fit into the seat width. I cannot always put the tray table down, but that doesn't inconvenience anyone but me. I travel with my own seatbelt extender should I need it; I don't always depending on the airplane. I leave the armrest down unless I am travelling with my husband. If I were a tall man at my weight no one would even question whether I would need an additional seat.. Weight alone does not tell the entire story, it's simply "do you fit in the seat without infringing on others". If I have to buy an additional seat to accomodate me, then the seat is mine. Just like paying for a toddler who sits on mom's lap the entire trip.

by netmartin on Saturday, June 27, 2009

If you are overweight, you should definitely pay for two seats, and you should definitely be able to use them both if you pay for them. I am 6' 218, but I'm often the little guy in the row! And what about those overweight flight attendants that always bump my shoulder with their oversized derriers, we ought to be charging them too! I was on an international flight and the attendant was too heavy to climb up on the seat to shut the luggage bin! Hilarious! For that reason, I no longer sit in the aisle, I always get the window seat.

by pdogg on Saturday, June 27, 2009

I've said it before.....

"I for one am all for charging overweight passengers extra. As mentioned above, these days every pound counts. So, I propose that tickets now be sold "by the pound". Think of it-There would be an option to estimate your weight when you first purchase your ticket. Then, when you get to the airport, you step on a scale and pay extra for any "overages" or get a refund for "shortages". It could even be extended to baggage, making it "total weight" checked onto the airplane. As a larger flier myself, I think it would even out. During my trip to Ireland, I wouldn't have had to pay that 10% for my 3 month old daughter sharing my seat. No more would those outrageously sized carry-ons get to sneak past the gate agents.

But seriously, why stop there. If we're going to charge for all inconveniences, there should be a charge for talking on your cell after landing. Or having your laptop on the tray table making passengers have to wait for you to put it away before shimmying past. Or an extra charge for people not sitting on the aisle if they need to use the restroom more than once every 3 hours. Perfume charges, body odor charges, loud talker charges, overheard headphone charges, snoring charges, the list could be endless."

FYI- By my calculations, anyone with a 36" Waist or Hip size would be over a 17" seat. That would include Size 16 Women, and possibly size 14 depending on hips. Think of that before casting stones.

by Bruce on Saturday, June 27, 2009

Please note that airlines value weight as much as they can, but they standard formula to add passenger weight may be outdated. We are much taller and heavier that in the 50s.

It should be a rule that people should pay more if they obvioulsy will occupy more than one stea. But they should get those tow setas, even the whole Row if they purchase it. Not sure about pitch...it is pretty narrow for a big belly.

Please try to avoid High Fructose corn syrup. That is the culprit of a big % of the enormous obesity problem in America

by savetheweight on Saturday, June 27, 2009

While I agree, in concept, that "oversized" people should buy the second seat, how would the airlines enforce the requirement? When we check in for our flights, do we all then need to step on the scale and have a measuring tape wrapped around us to see if we fit the bill? How about height and width checked as well? When we book a flight, do we need to add height, weight and girth info-verify it before boarding? It sounds like "common sense," but really, how big is too big to fit before requiring a second seat?

I was on a flight from New York to Frankfort several years ago, sitting in the middle seat. A really large man got the isle. Large? You betcha! Not an ounce of fat on him that I could see, though, just really extremely muscular and broad. But his hips fit in the seat, so...... Should he have paid for a second seat b/c his shoulders are too wide? I'd say yes, but would someone else who was smaller than me be as bothered with being bumped on the shoulder from the cart going by?

So, who decides? And by what criteria? Too big to fit in the seat? Or how about just too wide, period? How about really tall people who have to bend sideways, even a little, to fit their legs into their space? I really understand people's frustration, but what is a workable, fair solution? I don't know........

by Nice 1 on Friday, June 26, 2009

Well my two cents is that the fat people will be overcharged and the thin people undercharged so that makes it right!!! In a pigs eye. How crazy is that. The other day I was on one of the carriers and offered a choice seat for an extra fee of $15.00. The choice seat was nothing more than an aisle seat. Some more great areas, what about the fares? The gas went down and the fares went up stayed up. Plus the service has deteriorated so much l am not sure if their is any left. Some dogs each better then the food they offer. I take that back I am not sure it's food at all. Have a grat trip!!!

by fatcat on Friday, June 26, 2009

If you don't fit in the seat, you buy two seats....and you are entitled to both seats when you board. It would be wise for the airlines to develop a "reserved" sticker" with the double boarding pass to make it clear that the large person has paid for both seats. The difficult part is deciding the cut-off size. I have neighbors who are tall. They think it is their right to tell the person in front of them that they can't recline their seat. I disagree. This illustrates the scope of the problem for the airlines. Where and what is the limit? Yes, they could make larger seats and more distance between the seats. But we're going to pay for it. Personally, I like bargain seats and bargain prices -- and I zealously watch my weight in order to remain thin and healthy. It isn't easy, but it is important to me. I make choices -- we all do.

by Sharon Rose on Friday, June 26, 2009

I am a kind, decent person with empathy for those who suffer from any condition that makes their lives uncomfortable by choice or not. I however, do not have to accept less than I pay for by being subjected to negative conditions caused by others. If someone cannot fit into the confined dimensions of an airline, bus, train, ballpark, theatre, or other seat, they should be required to disembark/leave and purchase another seat when there is space available. If a uniform policy were adopted, those who need the extra room will be able to plan in advance and not be inconvenienced knowing what they will face. Those of us who pay for one full seat will be able to get what we paid for. This is no different than someone being de-planed for being drunk or beligerant - it's about the safety and protection of the other passengers. If an overweight person cannot fit into his/her airplane seat, he/she sure isn't going to be able to move out of it quickly enough for the people in the other seats to get out in an emergency. It's common sense.

by DEVAND on Friday, June 26, 2009

no, the airline should accommadate for everyone, if you have a very tiny person, do you charge them half price?????

by sister on Friday, June 26, 2009

Mickisue - glad to hear that you are healthy although an RN should know a little more about medical conditions than you do. A simple google search will let you know of numerous medical conditions that cause you to be 100# overweight - one of which was in the news this week (gigantism).

Although I do not agree with your medical knowledge I do agree that if they are forced to pay for an extra seat, they should get it.

On one of my recent flights (totally full), I sat on the opposite side of the aisle from a large man who paid for the middle seat due to his size. He got into an argument with the flight attendant when a frail looking gentleman was given the very same middle seat. The attendant threatened to have him removed and got the captain involved. Both men were allowed to stay on the flight but the argument was not settled on the first leg of the flight. It was still being discussed at the check in desk when we boarded after a layover in Atlanta. He was given the empty middle seat on the second leg but was told he had to handle the problem with customer service. This man was headed to his mother's funeral and due to lack of advance purchase time he paid $600 for each seat. I seriously felt sorry for him.

by TKH on Friday, June 26, 2009

No one should be too concerned about United's new policy if it is the flight attendants who are to enforce it. They only enforce the carry-on rules when there is absolutely no space left and, even then, it is the last person left holding a carry-on, not the truly guilty, who is punished. Flight attendants are not hired for their adjudication skills or their ability to stand up to anyone - quite the opposite. And who can blame the poor flight attendants. They had to take pay and benefit cuts when United was in bankruptcy, and now many are having their work hours cut. Yet they are the ones expected to enforce these new rules likely to incite customers, while United's directors pat themselves on the back and pocket a huge salary.

by wanderer on Friday, June 26, 2009

Unless airlines want to start charging by the inch, it's flat out discrimination to charge more to overweight people. Thin people certainly don't get charged any less than "average". And since it's seatmates that are inconvenienced, why should the airline benefit? Maybe they should simply acknowledge that the general population is getting larger and make the seats larger to accomodate that.

by LtlRedHen3 on Friday, June 26, 2009

This happen to me with an over weight person sat next to me and took have of my seat.I don't think its fair that I paid for a full seat and don't get it.They should pay for 2 seats and get them,or the airlines will have to do something to accommodate them.But I wrote to Delta and they did make it right by me.Thanks Delta.

by lunchlady on Friday, June 26, 2009

TKH I would like to know what airline was so lousy to that man traveling to his mom's funeral . I would like to send them a letter of complaint myself on the man's behalf. Life is tough enough !

by timetraveler on Friday, June 26, 2009

Absolutely. If you don't fit into regular clothing, you typically pay more for XXXL+. When you croak, if you don't fit into a regular coffin, you pay for an oversized one. There should be no reason a passenger who payed hundreds of $$$ to fly should have to suffer because someone's hundred pounds of flab are invading their space. Even with a medical condition, pay up -- my uncomfort doesn't go away just because you have a medical condition. Cold? Maybe, but facts are facts. We all have choice and chance -- if you choose to or are unlucky enough to be ginormous, those are the breaks.

by lionfan on Friday, June 26, 2009

So what! Even if they do pay more, how am I going to get reimbursed if they sit next to me?

Would I have the option to pay less if I want to take a seat next to an oversized person? Does the airline keep the money and I still get stuck?

Or, even better...

Will the airline make "human sized" seats available without having to pay the ridiculous 1st class fee?

I say they keep the money!!!

by JDD on Friday, June 26, 2009

There is, to my knowledge (I'm an RN) NO medical condition that leads to being 100# overweight. If someone knows of one, feel free to correct me, but I, personally, am hypothyroid, and I keep my weight within 20# of the "midrange" of healthy for my height.

People can become 100# overweight for all sorts of reasons. But the MOST common are medications that lessen the will NOT to overeat, and just plain eating badly. Even on those meds, you can make the choice to eat healthier--it's ALWAYS a choice.

HOWEVER. If a person at a certain weight/girth is going to have to buy a second seat, then they should HAVE the second seat.

Airlines are notorious for overbooking, and expecting someone who has paid for an additional seat to just smile and say, No Problem. It IS a problem, both for them (they paid for the seat) and the person who is wedged in next to them.

by mickisue on Friday, June 26, 2009

If they have to pay extra and not have a full two seats to enjoy, then all those people that bring everything but the kitchen sink on the plane and plan to put in the overhead should have to pay extra too. The weight probably comes close to equalling out. I was in the back of an international flight recently that it took almost 45 minutes to get off the plane because everyone had to track down all their carryon items that somehow got past security and all the airline personnel as the correct size and one personal item. The good thing was that my luggage was already waiting for me when I got to baggage claim!

by kw on Friday, June 26, 2009

Here's a question: If you buy 2 seats do you get double the frequent flyer miles??

by ABC on Friday, June 26, 2009

Yes/No. I think they should pay unless they have a medical note from their Dr. stating they have a condition such as a thryoid problem. A seat was made to accomodate a regular size person. If someone wants to eat themself into twice their regular size, it should not be the airline's problem. I think it is time for everyone to stop accomodating these fatties.

by ccfoley on Friday, June 26, 2009

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