Obese have right to two airline seats

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In law school our Human Rights Law Prof arranged to have this lawyer come to our class and discuss her most recent cases. I remember initially thinking - making the airline provide two seats is outrageous. Following the lawyers presentation of her case about why it isn't that much of a cost and how the airlines have plenty of alternatives, I was totally for this ruling.

Obesity is a form of discrimination. And Cassie, I am sorry for having that look on my face. You're right. It isn't nice. And its usually just in my mind that sitting next to an overweight person is going to be uncomfortable. About three minutes into the ride, I completely forget my initial thought and enjoy the rest of the ride.

AirCanada has taken every measure in the past to increase cabin size and decrease comfort. I don't feel sorry for that miserable airline one bit.

[Jenn! 918]

Technically I would be classed as obese for being 15lbs overweight - though I'm one of those people where it isn't really noticeable.

Is this even possible? You'd have to be about 3 feet tall. BMI under 25 is considered healthy weight, BMI over 30 is obese. 5 points in BMI is more than 30 lbs on a 6 foot tall person.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Technically I would be classed as obese for being 15lbs overweight - though I'm one of those people where it isn't really noticeable.

Is this even possible? You'd have to be about 3 feet tall. BMI under 25 is considered healthy weight, BMI over 30 is obese. 5 points in BMI is more than 30 lbs on a 6 foot tall person.

You're right - I wasn't aware of the BMI classification, so technically I would be "overweight" for my height, not obese.

But enough to do damage.

[William33 110]

According to this site, my weight is ideal.... The USG suggests I am slightly overweight. Who to believe?

http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise...t-3146-143.html

To the specifics of the topic, I don't really care if someone is entitled to multiple seats, so long as they do not encroach on my paid space. Arm-rests will be "down" baby!!! Some "neighbors" have insisted to leave them up....Yeah right....

With respect to this issue, I am mostly concerned with long-haul flights. Business class is really difficult to obtain with mileage anymore...We refuse to shell out another 2K USD for the privilege.

However, we did find another premium class with Eva Airways to Southeast Asia. A Business Class seat, with economy food service for $300 more than economy. I am good with that!!!

[natty bumppo 293]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

[MrsCat 6]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

[britty 1]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

How can airlines provide additional seating if the planes aren't any bigger? Additional seats cannot be introduced to existing aircraft as there simply isn't any room, especially in coach. How can airlines retain current pricing levels if two seats are to be given to a passenger that is classed as obese? On a similar thread some time ago on VJ, someone said that if the arms on coach sets were extended to provide a a solid barrier between passengers, then there could be no issue with someone "spilling" onto another passenger's seat. I thought this was a good idea as it meant that if you couldn't fit into a seat with barriers up, you would need to purchase two seats. This seems the fairest solution.

[William33 110]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

Under this logic, I should gain another 150 lbs to capture a first class seat.... Or does height really factor in here?

[MrsCat 6]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

How can airlines provide additional seating if the planes aren't any bigger? Additional seats cannot be introduced to existing aircraft as there simply isn't any room, especially in coach. How can airlines retain current pricing levels if two seats are to be given to a passenger that is classed as obese? On a similar thread some time ago on VJ, someone said that if the arms on coach sets were extended to provide a a solid barrier between passengers, then there could be no issue with someone "spilling" onto another passenger's seat. I thought this was a good idea as it meant that if you couldn't fit into a seat with barriers up, you would need to purchase two seats. This seems the fairest solution.

They don't make the planes seats bigger - they flip up the arm rest and the person sits in both seats. Lets be clear. This isn't for merely overweight people. This is for obese people who just cannot fit into one seat. So the airline gives them two seats rather than one. Its not some great comfort-fest.

Obesity in this case fell as a grounds for discrimination because its a physical disability. Where the problem lied for Air Canada was that they were willing to give two seats to people with walkers who had a physical disability, but people who were obese had to pay for a second seat.

[britty 1]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

How can airlines provide additional seating if the planes aren't any bigger? Additional seats cannot be introduced to existing aircraft as there simply isn't any room, especially in coach. How can airlines retain current pricing levels if two seats are to be given to a passenger that is classed as obese? On a similar thread some time ago on VJ, someone said that if the arms on coach sets were extended to provide a a solid barrier between passengers, then there could be no issue with someone "spilling" onto another passenger's seat. I thought this was a good idea as it meant that if you couldn't fit into a seat with barriers up, you would need to purchase two seats. This seems the fairest solution.

They don't make the planes seats bigger - they flip up the arm rest and the person sits in both seats. Lets be clear. This isn't for merely overweight people. This is for obese people who just cannot fit into one seat. So the airline gives them two seats rather than one. Its not some great comfort-fest.

Obesity in this case fell as a grounds for discrimination because its a physical disability. Where the problem lied for Air Canada was that they were willing to give two seats to people with walkers who had a physical disability, but people who were obese had to pay for a second seat.

This still reduces the amount of seats the airline has to sell to passengers. The only way for the airline to maintain revenues is to raise prices. Whilst being severely obese is probably a disability, that disability could be greatly improved or eradicated for many simply by following a weight loss and exercise programme. People with walkers may not have that option open to them.

[William33 110]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

How can airlines provide additional seating if the planes aren't any bigger? Additional seats cannot be introduced to existing aircraft as there simply isn't any room, especially in coach. How can airlines retain current pricing levels if two seats are to be given to a passenger that is classed as obese? On a similar thread some time ago on VJ, someone said that if the arms on coach sets were extended to provide a a solid barrier between passengers, then there could be no issue with someone "spilling" onto another passenger's seat. I thought this was a good idea as it meant that if you couldn't fit into a seat with barriers up, you would need to purchase two seats. This seems the fairest solution.

They don't make the planes seats bigger - they flip up the arm rest and the person sits in both seats. Lets be clear. This isn't for merely overweight people. This is for obese people who just cannot fit into one seat. So the airline gives them two seats rather than one. Its not some great comfort-fest.

Obesity in this case fell as a grounds for discrimination because its a physical disability. Where the problem lied for Air Canada was that they were willing to give two seats to people with walkers who had a physical disability, but people who were obese had to pay for a second seat.

In most cases, not a disability. Rather, a personal choice to eat at will, irrespective of the results. Let's not get carried away here.

[MrsCat 6]

In most cases, not a disability. Rather, a personal choice to eat at will, irrespective of the results. Let's not get carried away here.

I disagree. A disability is a condition that prevents to some degree a person's ability to carry on their normal activities. How that condition develops is what you're referring to. Not the fact that a physical disability exists.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Get a grip people.

See my earlier post.

Obesity is not something that can be "cured" by diet and exercise.

Can you not see the psychology implication?

Can you not see the metaphysical one?

Please.

Think about it.

We are not talking about 10 pounds overweight...whatever that means.

I weigh about ten pounds more than someone else my size because of muscle....hence....

[PlatyPius 5]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

How can airlines provide additional seating if the planes aren't any bigger? Additional seats cannot be introduced to existing aircraft as there simply isn't any room, especially in coach. How can airlines retain current pricing levels if two seats are to be given to a passenger that is classed as obese? On a similar thread some time ago on VJ, someone said that if the arms on coach sets were extended to provide a a solid barrier between passengers, then there could be no issue with someone "spilling" onto another passenger's seat. I thought this was a good idea as it meant that if you couldn't fit into a seat with barriers up, you would need to purchase two seats. This seems the fairest solution.

They don't make the planes seats bigger - they flip up the arm rest and the person sits in both seats. Lets be clear. This isn't for merely overweight people. This is for obese people who just cannot fit into one seat. So the airline gives them two seats rather than one. Its not some great comfort-fest.

Obesity in this case fell as a grounds for discrimination because its a physical disability. Where the problem lied for Air Canada was that they were willing to give two seats to people with walkers who had a physical disability, but people who were obese had to pay for a second seat.

In most cases, not a disability. Rather, a personal choice to eat at will, irrespective of the results. Let's not get carried away here.

Okay, so anorexics have just made a personal choice not to eat, irrespective of the results. So they are not disabled, either.

Got it.

[natty bumppo 293]

I didn't read through this whole thread but a solution...

The airlines should provide variable seating.

So, if you're 7 feet tall and weigh 350lbs, when you buy your ticket, you let the airlines know and they assign you to a seat you'll fit into. Charging different rates based on a passenger's size is discrimination.

if they need more space they should pay more, just like business and first class do!

That's discrimination.

so using your example ... my 4'9" ex should have sued all the automakers for discrimination because they did not manufacture a car safe for her ... as she could not sit far enough from the airbag to be safe? give me a break ...

You're missing the point. Airlines have a reasonable alternative available to them. They can provide an additional seat and make accommodations at the time of booking if a person is larger. Its pretty simple. They're not asking the airlines to make bigger planes.

Manufacturing a smaller or bigger car is not a reasonable alternative because of the cost. Its an alternative just not reasonable.

The car manufacturers didn't need to make a smaller and/or bigger car. Only a car that could accommodate a different sized person (they now offer this feature). Now options include adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheel .. some of which are std features ... this means the manufactures are listening to the consumer and making changes. Does this mean that the manufacturers were discriminating against those not in the "norm" prior to this change?

Now let's pass this to the airlines ... maybe it's time to make some adjustments to the main cabin seating ...

these features cost $$$ ... to those where it is important for yourself and the safety/convenience of others ... you pay .. to those who don't need ... you don't pay

Edited November 25, 2008 by Natty Bumppo