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April 20th, 2009
07:10 AM ET
Vote! Should overweight passengers pay for 2 seats on airplanes?
Overweight passengers might soon have to buy two tickets to fly on United Airlines. The company says “for the comfort and well-being” of all their customers, they have a new policy for passengers who:
– Can’t fit into a single seat
– Can’t properly buckle the seat belt using an extender
– Can’t put the seat’s armrests down when seated
If there are extra seats available, the passenger will be
moved next to an empty seat at no charge. But if the
flight is full, they either have to buy an upgrade to
business or first class where the seats are bigger or
change to another flight and buy a second seat.
What do you think?
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Discrimination of ANY kind is wrong! The issue should not be about someone's size, but rather why we let the airlines get away with packing coach passengers into the cabin like Sardines. Besides, United's new policy could very well be in violation of the Air Carrier Access Act! The greedy airlines have to stop charging, charging, charging and work more on improving their customer service standards.
Brandon Macsata, Executive Director
Association for Airline Passenger Rights
http://www.flyfriendlyskies.com
Amen!
I have taken two recent flights and each time I have had to "fight" for the seat space that I paid for. Forget the armrest....obese people spill way over the armrest and in to the neighborning seat. On one flight I had obese people on both sides and had way more bodily contact than I wanted!! In the United States it seems that the rights of a few minority, in this case the obese, override any rights of others.
P.S. I think that it would also be fair of manufacturers to charge obese people more for their supersized clothing. After all, it requires more resources.
I think this is clearly discrimination. i fly eight times a year a combination of work and pleasure. I fit in the seat but am in the (gray area) not as large as they describe . to avoid any embarassment or humiliation in case someone arbitrarily decides my size is unacceptable I will choose another airline
It seems I have never taken a flight in which I didn't share a seat row with an obese person. Considering that I prefer and request the window seat, an obese person next to me becomes the wall that effectively encloses me in a confining closet and the only escape is to jump through the window: I am claustrophobic.
Obese people, like the elderly, rarely leave their seats, so I suffer the consequences for the entire duration, which becomes discomforting and makes me a grumpy, unconsolable passenger and remain so for several hours after arrival - God help the car rental person I will be facing next!
I think that if we start to discriminate against overweight people on airplanes this will only open the door for further discrimination. Where will it stop? The fact is, America in general is a larger society! The fact that it may be unacceptable to some people or make them uncomfortable is no reason to allow discrimination. I think the airlines need to look at making passengers in general more comfortable by allowing more room rather you are large or small.
This is a shame to everyone that supports such trash. It's Ok to be any color, any religion, any ungodly sexual orientation, and you are accepted; but you can't be overweight. Is it a crime to be overweight and folks think they need to fine you for it? This is nothing shy of discrimination. Why don't they reduce the price of a ticket for folks that are underweight? Bet you don't see that happening! Overweight folks have rights too.
i agree with united you have to be there to know how other people feel ,as is now the seats are tight especialy on long overseas flight i think if the flight is full they should wait on stand by for another flight or upgrade
I think the airlines should ask each passenger their weight. Then seat the obese people together.
Lets see how comfortable they'd be!
Wow there are some mean and nasty people out there. I've never met this problem with an obese person but OFTEN have to deal with men who spread their elbows into "my space" and seem to feel they are entitled. I agree with the person who noted that space on some planes is tight and jammed anyway no matter what size you are.
I pay for the space between my two arm rests, why should I have to share that with someone else especially when it makes me uncomfortable for 2 hours. Sorry, but you only have the right to be overweight if you don't impact the rights of others. I can see the embaressement aspect, but they can always buy a first class ticket and avoid that. Maybe they will be embaressed in to losing weight and they just might live to see old age.
I have a hard time believing that airlines care about the pleasant flying experience over money when I and many have experienced the exact opposite. Once when flying from Seattle to Denver, all of the economy seats were occuppied and not even a dozen of the business seats were filled. After take off, some of the cramped passengers, including a rather large gentleman in my row tried to ease their discomfort by changing their seat to an empty on. The attendants refused to allow this,citing company (United) policy, unless he paid for the upgrade. This was repeated to the mom who had 2 kids plus a toddler on her lap, and others who also tried to ease their discomfort. We third class citizens spent the whole flight crammed in the back of the plane.
I fly several times a month. I am a big guy but athletic and I am about the biggest person who can fit in a coach seat with any level of comfort. I've seen bigger people squeezed into the seats and they don't seem comfortable but other passengers understand and make concessions. My problem with charging extra is that you will put the burden of determination on the airline personnel, in which case you could be charged based on any number of their own preferences and prejudices. The minute one person is exempted and another is charged unfairly, it will create issues the airlines is not prepared to deal with. They have a hard enough time making people straighten up their seat-backs and turn off electronic equipment.
This issue is just another move to chip away rights. First, it was smoking, now obesity, all under the guise of health issues just to make money. What next? Put people who have body odor in a seperate section? There is always going to be something that bothers a percentage of people. The sqeaky wheel get the oil.
Why shouldn't they pay for an extra seat? Why are people crying discrimination? Smokers are being charged an ever-increasing, unfair tax for years. That is not discrimination? What's been done with all THAT money?
Smoking is unhealthy. Is obesity not? It's as big a killer as cigarettes. Second-hand smoke? Yes I agree it's unhealthy and banning smoking in public enclosed areas is the right thing to do. But why tax them to death? Charging the obese for an extra seat is no different than your cigarette tax so I don't see a problem at all.
As mentioned on the show if they start charging for this lets start charging for crying babies, armrest hogs, etc. I've actually sat next to obese people who were much better seatmates than some others who are constantly squirming, pushing your arm off the armrest, crawling across you do go the bathroom, crawling across you to look out the window, etc. As the Canadian System has determined, this is actually a handicapped that in many cases can not be prevented. Besides its seats were the size they used to be this wouldn't be an issue today, like it wasn't then.
On other poster mentioned that of the public transportation systems charge for two seats for obese people. I certainly can't think of any that do, what one were you thinking of?
Being seated next to a fat person on an airplane creates all sorts of problems. I once lost a roll of film (36 exposures) in a obese nun's habit and we never could find it.
A few years ago I was flying from WDC to STL on a full flight and was seated between two morbidly obese men. Each immediately raised the armrests, which I quickly put back down. I spent the flight pressed against hot, sweaty flesh, no room to eat, and ended with a severe migraine headache. I paid the same amount for my ticket and I have equal rights to a comfortable and safe trip.
However, that said I do believe that Canada has a far more kind and realistic attitude that it is the airlines' responsability to provide adequate seating for their obese and therefore, handicapped, guests.
I'm a very frequent flyer, with about 40 flights already this year alone. I am also the son of obese parents, though i am not obese myself. I understand and respect both "sides" of this issue. I have had the unpleasant experience of by "smushed" against the window by an obese person, literally landing with sweat spots on my pants legs, where we were unable to seperate our legs during the entire flight. That gentleman was also unable to put down the arm rest between us. This has happened on mulitple occasions to some extent, but you only need to have this experience once to understand the reasoning behind the policy.
Why should I have to pay full fare if I have to "share" my seat with someone who is obese? Either the seats need to be larger to accommodate made larger customer or discounts offered to the average person who has to sit "with" them in adjacent seats.
Only if the morbidly obese passenger does not have a preexisting, genetic or glandular condition, would I charge him/her for an extra seat. If, however, that person has become obese due to diet or being inactive (couch potato, for example), they should definitely pay for the extra "baggage". Medical proof should be mandatory.
Thank you,
Norman Simon (Mistisinni, Québec)
I agree but let the thinner person move to First Class – at no charge!
Linda
I am 6' 2", 225 lbs. I fit into the seat and dont spill over, but it is very tight. It is extremely uncomfortable to sit in the center seat if there are two like me in the row. The airlines are correct in trying to solve the seat overflow, but they should do it by charging everyone by the pound. Should kids be charged as a 170 lb adult? Or the airlines should give the flights more elbow room. However, those really big passengers need to buy two seats, not take up someone else's seat space. It is not necessarily their fault, but they can't take up someone else's seat that they paid for. It is as much discrimination for the poor small passenger who has no say but to lean way away!!
Re: Patrick: I think that obesity exists in a continuum from "overeating" to "disease". I'd say in my case it was somewhere in the middle, but that isn't relevant.
What IS relevant. is the fact that disease or not I personally think it is less difficult to buy a second seat, than it is to sit theire knowing you're spilling into someone else's seat. This is about respecting your fellow passengers, whether you're overweight, tall, short, a smoker, etc. This is, in short, common sense.
We don't NEED to bring in a debate about obesity; large people take more space, and until airlines change their seats, we should deal with the real world, not "what-ifs" or moralistic arguments about obesity.
When I purchase a ticket I am buying SPACE on the flight. When someone infringes upon my PAID FOR space, then they should pay got it.
I'm a very average sized man but I still find the seats on the planes I've flown on to be very uncomfortable. It is for this reason that I hate flying! First, they are too small – even for me (5'10", 170lbs). Second, the cushions don't cushion very well, and there is little or no proper back support...
Now, couple that with sitting next to someone who is bigger, let alone much bigger, and it really sucks! So, yes, bigger people should have to pay more. But, even more importantly, the airlines need to start making the seats larger and more comfortable.
I have had the very uncomfortable experience of having an obese person overflowing into my seating space. Airline tickets are not inexpensive and I do not feel that I should have to sit at an awkward angle to accomodate the excess 'baggage' next to me. By the way, I could not believe it when I heard that Canada classifies obesity as a disability. IT IS AN ADDICTION.
No, they should be required to be held to handy cap standards like the rest of the businesses in America. They should be required by law to provide extra space and larger seats on the airplanes. They should be required to designate space for the larger People.
Having been on the losing end of being next to an obese person on flights, I am fully in favor of these people being charged for and using two seats. As a small person, I have been in the position of having the use of half a seat (after paying for a full seat), with the only comment of the person next to me being "What can I say, I'm a big guy". I didn't get a refund for the half of my seat occupied by someone else, and he didn't get charged for using almost two seats. I was squashed for 3 hours. If a person takes up two seats they should pay for two seats. If a person choses to stay overweight or can't help it, there is no reason that other passengers should have to pay for it in discomfort.
i have to pay for the space to sit on a plane and get to my destination. if you need more space it should cost more money. I have no problem with it. I would like a free seat for a little more space, maybe i am discrimminated against because i am not obese.
Because of my OWN comfort level, I paid almost $60000 for gastric bypass surgery and I still have large hips. I think making anyone may for an extra seat is disgusting. Airlines are too small and its not just obese people who are affected – tall individuals, muscular individuals, and even pregnant women have problems. Charge them extra? Easier to modify your planes.
I got on my first rollercoaster in 2004 because I had been so overweight that I couldn't ever before. People like us already feel bad and don't need to be shamed into feeling worse by a faceless company trying to make fun of the the obese and earn n extra dollar in the process
We can't make fun of people of other races and skin tones but it's always a free for all on the overweight.
I really enjoy the "if they wouldn't fit so many seats together, then it wouldn't be a problem argument". Good, then airline prices would sky rocket to accomodate so many less seats and we can all subsidize one particular demographic.
I agree with it- my husband and I were on our way to our honeymoon in Hawaii, on a seven hour flight. The gentleman to my left was rather obese, was extremely sweaty, and because of the size of the man, the armrest couldn't go down and he was smashed up against me for the whole trip. I got off of the plane with my left side WET because of his sweat. That is disgusting. It's reasons like that this new rule is in place.
If I pay for a seat, I pay for a whole seat. Not 3/4 of one because I have to lean to the side because of someone else.
Airlines charge for cargo by weight why not passengers. Hasn't anyone noticed that the only places in the world with overweight passengers are the wealthy industrial countries? You don't see fat people in third world countries. It is not a disability. It's the lack of ability to stop eating too much.
I've personally seen passengers that barely fit in first class seats. Coach seats are extremely narrow, so there is nothing wrong with asking the obese to pay for the extra space. This is further incentive for the obese to regain control of their health issue and begin the journey to a much healthier lifestyle while loosing weight.
Why don't these airlines remove the rear row of coach seats and install less but larger seats to make the oversize people comfortable as well?
What wrecks my nerve are the noisy kids and crying babies. I've taken flights where someone's baby or small child screamed the entire flight. I think there should be a law against this. The airlines talk about comfort? As long as I can remember the average woman who is not menopausal is freezing on the planes. Why is it always so cold that we have to cover ourselves in blankets and I've even caught a flu bug from the cold airplane? This is not about comfort. It's about the airlines brainstorming and thinking of ways to generate more revenue. Fat folks been on the planes since we had airplanes. They already charge us too much. They could save money on all that cold air!
If we all have to pay extra when our luggage is over weight, it only makes sense that our body weight should figure in to things too.
It seems silly for me to have to pay extra because my luggage might be a few pounds over the limit only to watch fellow passengers weighing much more than a few extra pounds, boarding with no extra fee.
In my opinion all of us should be weighed before boarding an aircraft. This will help with weight distribution on the aircraft and be more fair.
Also if someone's body over laps the adjoining seat or seats, that person should expect to have to pay for more than one seat. To hell with whether or not they feel shame, fair is fair.
My heart goes out to those individuals who through no fault of their own are morbidly obese and I apologize for how my words may make them feel. The rest of the fatties can pound salt.
Bill 🙂
It is unfortunate that the larger person is going to be charged for a second seat. It is very nearly discrimantory. However, If i'm sitting within the envelope of my seat, why should I have to endure someone entering and overtaking my space. It is unfortunate, but my right to a relatively comfortable seating experience is just as important to me as it is to the person next to me.
Just more evidence that the overweight are the most discriminated against group.
RE: The "Canadian Policy"
Morbid obesity is NOT a disability in my book. It is a self-induced condition caused by over-eating and lack of physical activity.
These "supersize" passengers could cut pounds the same way the rest of us do: decrease your caloric intake and increase your physical activity.
Not rocket science here, people.
Your poll has results of viewers agreeing with the policy 75% to 25%. How did your reporter manage to find all but one interviewer that was against the policy? I find the interesting, maybe you should as well?
As a man who once weighed 560 lbs at 6'2"... of course it is necessary. It is not the most pleasant experience, but it's a matter of physics, not dignity. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to other passengers! It's not a judgement call, but I didn't want to have part of myself in someone else's seat, anymore than they wanted me in it! Yes, Airlines need to change their seats, but in the meantime, in extreme cases, action needs to be taken. As for the crying baby argument, it is a matter of numbers... This is all about pure practicality.
I work as a Flight Attendant for a Regional Air carrier that flys 50 to 86 passenger planes for U.S airline carriers. I experienced an extremely overweight passenger that also had mobility problems due to their size. Not only did we have to delay boarding and deplaning to accomodate the passengers slow progress through a very tight aisle, but experienced the inability to move easily through the aisle to perform my duties, as the passenger was sitting on the aisle.
My main concern is the safety of my passengers in case of an emergency. How could I safely evacuate this passenger and what risk did blocking half of the aisle width have on the safe evacuation of the rest of my passengers?
I certainly understand the problem. The persons that can't fit in one seat must understand that if they require moe than one seat, they must pay for it. I hope that the airlines will place them in a seat not next to another passenger in ones are available, without extra cost. If they are traveling with a young child or very small person, and the overweight person doesn't not cause a problem for the small person, the airlines should take that into consideration.
There is an imaginary line going down the center of the arm rest and between the seats. Each passenger pays for the area between the imaginary lines. For instance a center seat purchased area would be from center of arm rest to arm rest. When someone else or an ajacent passenger encroaches on that area it isnt fair. He or she needs to pay for that area.
the seats on coach are small and i agree with another comment that is if airlines didnt try to cram 3 seats together and only had 2 that were slightly larger this would not be an issue. Everyone not only obese people would have extra room.
Everyone would be more comfortable. I know that a long flight in the middle of two non obese people is not comfortable, and a little extra room would be great.
In this age of taxing everything, I think that a BMI (body mass index) tax should be assessed when a person weight exceeds the level for obesity (30). Perhaps a fee for "excess baggage" should be charged to these individuals and not charge individuals for real baggage when they travel and their BMI is below this level (30).
Nothing ruins a flight like a someones body mass overflowing into my space...aircraft lift weight....if you weigh more, your contribute to buring more fuel...lets pay by the pound.
totally agree. I dont fly much but when I do I dread the thought of having to sit next to a obese person. Its not comfortable for both parties. Im tied of people thinking this is a disease and we are supposed to give the fatties special rights. Your fat. You eat to much of the wrong foods and you dont move.
Why is CNN ignoring other more important stories in the news?
Frankly, I'm surprised at the response thus far.
I agree with charging obese passengers double for seats and think this practice should be extended to other modes of transportation(i.e. Greyhound and Amtrak) but that's a different discussion. I'm 170 lbs. at 6'4" tall so I may need extra leg room or head room while flying and sitting next to a morbidly obese passenger would make my trip even worse. An obese person trying to fit into a space they know they cannot comfortably fit into while negatively impacting the trip of another passenger in the interest of saving a buck is unfair and inconsiderate, among other things. I shouldn't have to pay to travel in misery because of the poor lifestyle choices of others.
We live in a free country. Why should a normal weight passenger on an airline be subjected to another person's girth pour over the airline armrest into the space that he/she purchased? This fair policy by the airlines is directed at people who impose their eating habits on the comfort of others in confined spaces.
The media needs to support that America is FAT.......plain & simple. And those folks who are hurting themselves with excess weight, driving up health care costs in our country, need to get on a healthy sustained exercise/diet regime and quit complaining about realistic, fair airline policies.
First, the airlines create huge discomfort for anyone who isn't a pretzel stick by turning airplanes that used to have only 2 seats on either side of the aisle into planes that 3 seats on either side of the aisle back in the 80's - maybe they think that none of us will remember that.
Then, the airlines start reducing legroom between rows, and then one airline in the latter 80's started trumpteting how they are "increasing" legroom by removing rows - actually, they just went back to their earlier quantity of rows in a plane! This lasted only about 2 or 3 years, until they decided they wanted to go back to packing people in like sardines.
To save money, over time, they've stopped making seatbelts long enough that everyone who can fit in these narrower seats can actually buckle them. This forces some people to have to bother a stewardess for an extension, which is delivered sometime way later, and sometimes with a look of disdain on the face of the stewardess.
Now, having made the entire experience of flying into a horribly uncomfortable experience, they want to further victimize the larger folks among us with higher fees.
This is on top of growing concerns that people with poor circulation in their extremities may actually die from being packed into a tiny seat with no legroom and not even enough room to squirm about - after several hours of this, a clot builds apparently can build up in the legs, and then later be released after the flight is over an the person is able to move, again - the end result being strokes, heart attacks and other problems when people finally reach their hotel rooms or homes.
Flying has become so uncivilized, even for those among us who are shaped like pretzel sticks, that frankly, I think WE SHOULD CHARGE THE AIRLINES SOME FEES OF OUR OWN - like a surcharge for the unpleasant conditions, and hazard pay on top of that!
Yes they should be charged. Overweight passengers cause more fuel to be burnt and clumsy access to a/c. Not discrimination, pilots have to confirm to certain weight and height restrictions, skydivers must not exceed weight restrictions or risk malfunctioning chutes. There are many comparison's.
Thank you United for taking a stand! Everyday, millions of Americans make healthy or unhealthy food choices. Our society has become a fast food nation and obesity the American epidemic. I am a healthy, normal-sized individual b/c I CHOOSE to eat heatlhy foods. Obesity though, is a direct result of an inidividual's CHOICE TO EAT UNHEALTHY FOODS. If I make an effort every single day to take care of my body and eat healthy, WHY SHOULD I BE PENALIZED IF THE PERSON NEXT TO ME DOESN'T? OBESITY HAS BECOME A DISEASE, BUT IT STARTS WITH A CHOICE!!!!!!!
This policy make sense. If you are using more than one seat you should pay for more than one seat. I fly at least 3 times a month and have experienced sitting next to overweight people. It is not pleasant on any flight. The overweight people should choose to travel an airline with more seat room or at least choose business or first class seating. I can't imaging it is very comfortable for them either being squeezed in somewhere.
If you need more than one seat, you should pay for more than one seat. Other passengers who have paid for their seat should not have to share their seat with overweight passengers.
It's ridiculous. People come in all shapes and sizes. I'm about 20 pounds overweight, carry most of it in the lower part of m body, and I can barely get the armrest down, myself, especially on small commuter flights. In fact, during my last flight, I sat next to a gentleman who was about 6'4" tall, and had to straddle the seat in front of him. He took up half of my leg room as well. I was uncomfortable as a result, but are we going to charge him for two seats, also? The airlines need to change their standards to accomodate seat and leg room for an averaged size ADULT!!!!
Although it has not happened to me, I've seen people whose bodies extend into the seat next to them. If you are too large to fit into your own seat, it's not fair to the passenger next to you.
when i fly i wonder how can this plane going to take off....too many fatty around.
i went to visit family via continental airlines, and had to pay full price for my two year old daughter. i thought that i only should have been charged half price. she was almost 3, but they wouldn't let her sit on my lap, and she only ate about 1/4 of the airline food, if that. yes, anyone who takes up more than one seat on any airline should pay.
On certain airlines, as a 117 lb woman, I am required to pay for any and all baggage because " the heavier the plane, the more fuel is consumed during the flight.' I watch people who weight 2 – 2 1/2 times what I weigh, board the plane with their "carry-on" (which has size restrictions, but not weight ones) walk on with suticases that probably weigh an add'l 50-60 lbs. Plus, very heavy people have bodies that spill over onto my seat ! When that happens I request to be moved which is not always possible.
I agree, but not until the size of seats is standardized. I am large and use a seat belt extender on SOME airlines but fit comfortably in the seat on others. On most flights having anyone sitting in front of me lean the seat back means I cannot use the tray. On some flights that same maneuver means I cannot even read a paperback. Travel these days is a horrible game of roulette – Will you be required to carry your rolling bag down to the tarmac? Will the aisle be wide enough to roll the bag to your seat in row 23? Will you have to sandwich into the seat and have the passenger in front of you leaning back into your space? A good trip is one without a seat neighbor!
I agree with United's policy especially since they are first willing to resolve the situattion using empty seats. I understand that for many large people this is the result of a medicval condition and can't be helped, but so is my poor eyesight and I must incur additional expenses in my life do to that reality.
If an overweight person needs/wants more food in a restaurant they know they have to pay for it. The same should apply for an extra seat on an airplane.
I flew from LA to NYC on a booked flight in a window seat, at the last minute an obese woman was placed in the middle seat she completely encompassed the entire space front back and side, with room to pass in the space between the seat in front... She needed a belt expander,I was trapped for 5 hours! Samshed up against the window. She should have never been allowed to board. Just on safety alone.
It really depends on what is being called “overweight”. I would be very cautious when calling or classifying someone as over weight. This would open the airline to situation of discrimination.
Try being the person on an 8 hour flight from Chicago to London and having only half a seat because the person next to you can't fit into their seat! I paid for a full seat and I expect to have a whole seat to myself. I completely agree with United's new policy.
If a person can not fit into their seat they should pay extra.
I am a cancer survivor. I can not get health or life insurance if I lose my job and go onto the open market. If a person choses to over eat and be unhealthy shouldn't they suffer from that choice? Why is it politically incorrect to hold them accountable?
An airline seat is a temporany lease of a personal space for travel. Is it fair for your space on a long trip to be invaded by another simply by luck of the draw? Put one row of "oversized" seats in coach and charge a premium price to the "nutritionally challenged"
I completely agree that the airlines have been getting over for years by making the seats smaller. And I know that not everyone who can't fit into one seat comfortably is obese. Not everyone Shaq's size is wealthy enough to afford a first class seat.
But that said, you paid for one seat and only one seat. You don't get to take your seat and part of someone else's. So if you can't fit into one seat you need to buy another. I don't necessarily think the airline should have to refund the extra seat if the plane isn't full but it's a nice courtesy.
And for the record, I'm 5'8" 300lbs. I just barely fit one seat.
There should not be a charge for two seats by any person unless there is a second person. I believe we have also bailed out the airlines more than once so havent our tax dollars already payed for these extra seats when needed. How soon they forget the things we do for them. Why have we been made to pay all these added airline fees?
As a frequent flyer I have been smashed into a seat because of an over weight passenger more than I care to remember. If you don’t fit between the armrest then you need to buy two seats! Just because you are fat doesn’t give you the right to use half of my seat that I paid for.
It is an unfortunate situation, and, although I know some will view the decision as discrimination against and insensitivity towards those who are overweight, I think the comfort and rights of those passengers who are not deserves equality as well. To ignore the situation is reverse discrimination against those who maintain their weight and pay the same amount of money for a seat with the expectation of comfort. I, personally, have never run into a situation where I am sitting next to someone who size has created discomfort for me, so I can only imagine the scenario and how I would feel about it.
Obviously those being interviewed are not frequent flyers. If you have ever been placed in a seat where you could not lower the arm rest and the individual took up a large section of your seat you would feel that they should have two seats. I must agree with the second seat policy of the airlines.
People who feel this is unfair have never had to share a seat with an overweight person who takes up 20 to 30% of the seat I have had to pay for.
I travel weekly. Why must I suffer for 2 hours on a crowded flight because of someone's weight problem. The irnony of my last "weight problem" I saw her walking on and knew she'd sit next to me but I also had to endure her eating a box for of Fried onions, fried chicken and a 5 gallon soda. Who created her problem?
Ron
I fly United frequently and am glad they have decided to put this in place. I cannot stand having someone sitting on half my seat. I always felt anyone taking half my seat should be paying me half of the price I paid!
Yes. You're over weight and my guess is, you over eat. If you require more of an item or service to accommodate your size it is no secret that you are going to pay more than the average weight consumer. If you have more body you require more space. You need more body wash, most likely more toilet paper and more fabric to cover it allllll up. Hmmmm I wonder, how many obese people sleep on a twin bed?
Why is CNN touting this as a new airline policy? The only thing new is that the airline is doing what they should have done years ago; and that is to charge the overweight person for the two seats they occupy, rather than the old rule of the overweight person paying for a seat plus 1/2 the cost of the second one (old rule). Who is supposed to pay for the extra seat(s) that the obese person occupies?...me via higher ticket prices. If the obese person cannot be accommodated, so be it. Why shouldn't they pay to accommodate themselves as does other handicap people. This is no way compares to a baby crying on an airplane, period! You have no idea the problem this costs the carriers and other passengers.
Do you people realize how uncomfortable it is to sit next to an obese person that spills over onto the person that is seated next to them. The disadvantaged passenger is forced to crunch to the side in his or her seat and not enjoy any of the "comforts" that comes with flying. The normal sized passenser also bought a ticket. As for the extra tall passenger that may fly, request the bulkhead seat, or same rules apply.
Okay America, regardless of how most may want to think they are the one person with a gland or gene problem, being overweight is a personal problem. Yes, being overwieght is a battle many Americans have, yet it is not something one can blame on someone else. Yes, there are studies involving those having the inability to lose weight, but the fact is most Americans, or people in general, do not know how to take care of their body. Let's live for today. Let's make myself happy now. Well, guess what, close the lid on that large pizza for one and put down that bucket of chicken, get up off your butt, and exercise and eat right. Learn to lose the weight and not blame society for your problem. Once you can, you won't be paying double fares on airplanes anymore. Up until then, don't expect me to feel sorry for you to have to pay more.
Just a thought.......(one talking to ticket agent)
What do you mean I have to pay more for my luggage because it is overweight? I am trying to SAVE money by only bringing one bag. So what if I stuffed it over capacity! Why should that be my problem when you are charging me per bag? This IS only one bag.
Reality......
You stuffed it full. Nobody forced you to do so. PAY THE EXTRA MONEY. It's not the airlines fault for your problem. If you don't like it.......Drive yourself.
Yes, absolutely. I have in the past sat next to an obese passenger and it was uncomfortable for me when I have to feel his obesity overflowing to my seat and making contact with me on the entire flight.
Another situation that an obese person risks is the possibility of too tightly fitting on a single seat where blood circulation is cut off to other areas of the body thus creating health problems on long duration flights. And what about quick evacuation of an aircraft ? Does this also create problems for other passengers such as slowed, delayed exit because of the obesity situation ?
Obesity could be a disability, so should you treat a person with a disability differently? Is disabilty a disease or choice? It seems discriminatory to me. We are drawing a fine line and treating a demographic of people differently.
As a frequent flier I have long been an advocate of charging individuals who "encroach" on others seats. I disagree that this is discriminatory. If we were advocating charging them for something they were not using, in a punitive sort of way, that would be one thing but in this case the airlines are preventing them from taking something that another passenger has already paid for – their seat space. United is doubly fair by offering them a free additional seat if one is available.
I am a frequent flyer and dread having to sit next to a large person of any kind. When you sit next to person that cannot fit in their seat, they invade your territory, and make your flight miserable.
Also, an airline is a freight company. If I weigh 150 lbs and pay $500 dollars for a ticket and an obese person comes along that weighs 300lbs and still pays $500 dollars, he or she is getting 150lbs of free cargo on the plane. With this thought process, I should get a discount for not being fat or get 150lbs more luggage for being fit and passing on the Big Macs.
With the same though process as above. If the large person causes the plane to have to move more cargo it is using more fuel, which is causing “global warming”.
If I take 2 seats, I have to pay for 2 seats.
United is not discriminating against obese people. They are providing the other paying passengers a better flight by not being over crowded.
I think it's a great idea... if I have to fly coach, I certainly don't want to have someone infringing on my personal space.
Hello,
I agree with United and other airlines for charging 2 tickets for obese people. I had to sit next to a person like this on a flight from Las Vegas to New York. It was the most uncomfortable, longest flight I ever had to take. I could not sleep, use my laptop or read in a comfortable position the entire flight.
Airlines make money by having many passengers on the plane. An obese person causes more fuel to be used, less revenue comes in and no one likes to be next to them.
Steve
I don't know if the obese should have to pay for two seats but I do think they should have to occupy either two seats or one larger seat. I am 6'1" and weigh 180 lbs. I was seated between two obese passengers and was left sitting sideways for a four hour flight because both of them occupied part of my seat. I don't see this as discrimination against the obese but as fairness to other passengers. If one requires two seats perhaps one should pay for them both. After all, if one needs two hotel rooms one doesn't get the second one free.
Once again, an American airline doing WHATEVER to get to the bottom line at the expense of their customers.... And more evidence that other countries like Canada put people before profits.
Simply put yes, the airlines should charge if a person is so obese that they take up two seats. I went through this on a flight from Germany to Atlanta. The person was so large that they took up theirs and half of mine. I was re booked because there was no room for me to sit They should have re booked the obese guy..
The airline should have booked two seats for. Here is an idea why not have a test seat at check in for size, just like the bin for size check of carry-on luggage.
KWR
I have been on flights where I have observed and experienced obese people on a plane. It is not pretty. I was uncomfortible from the observation perspective as well as the personal experiance. Obese people should be required to purchase first class seats. If not available, a second seat purchase should be required. This is not discrimination, it is the observance of the rights of all.
I am overweight and use an extended seat belt so I feel comfortable when I fly. I do this because I wear my seat belt during the entire flight. SAFETY!! Now I will not.
I like the Canadian concept.
Also, I believe the airline industry has made the seats purposely smaller, so they could increase profits.
I think it is" long" overdue in charging obese passengers an extra ticket. There is nothing worse when flying than being stuck next to an obese person. if you are tiny in stature, it doesnt effect you. I am 6'2 and 220 lbs. It is extremely uncomfortable to be next to an obese person. Heaven forbid the times I had to get out to go to the bathroom. Its like climbing over Mount Everest.
I am ALL for charging obese people for 2 seats. Everybody wins. They get more room and we dont get smothered.
I agree that something needs to be done. I fly regularly on business and have been inconvenienced by the amount of space afforded me in coach when average size people are in the seats next to me. This woudn't be an issue in first class on any flight. I feel the airlines should have fewer seats and make the ones they have larger. I know they'd have to get creative to find a way to remain profitable, but I think there's smart enough people out there to figure this out.
I do not understand the problem with charging the obese for two seats on airlines or any other public transportation. What is the question here, if you use two seats you pay for two seats.
Milt
When you ship something with UPS, the larger the box is the more you pay. They aren't singling people out for weight, it's a simple matter of volume. If you use two seats, you need to pay for two seats.
I don't see a problem with this. Have you ever flown with an obese person sitting next to you? Their bulge literally washes over onto you, it's nasty and uncomfortable. Now imagine flying 12 hours like that.
I agree totally. If you can afford to eat that much, you can afford another seat or at least business class. If a person does have a genuine medical condition, have the policy state with a note from a doctor, they can get a bigger seat at no cost.
This is not news....do what Southwest does – you purchase the 2nd ticket and if the plane isn't full they then fully refund you the 2nd seat. I ONLY fly Southwest because of this since I'm a BBW.