Should obese passengers be required to buy an extra seat? It's a question we've asked before around here, and one that people feel very strongly about. Today, CNN tackles the subject once again, citing policies from both Southwest and United.
According to their article, "U.S. obesity rates have mushroomed during the last 25 years, but the width of a coach airplane seat has changed little, remaining between 17 and 18 inches in most commercial planes."
The article also goes on to point out that economy seating is cramped for average-sized passengers too (you probably knew that) and most "seat space invasions" are due to wide shoulders. We can certainly vouch for that, what with all the millions of beverage cart wackings our poor shoulders have suffered through the years. Ouch!
So does more to love mean more to pay? Comment below.
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?
"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.
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
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........
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.
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!!!
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.