Should large people have to buy two airplane seats for themselves?

[Alex+R 0]

I think theoretically yes, but it would be difficult to enforce practically.

Here's how:

Maybe if airlines charged by the pound we wouldn't have such a HUGE obesity problem in the US!

It does cost airlines in fuel for every pound they raise off the ground!

Might actually reduce the costs to some extent for the rest of us. IMO there should be a base charge for the seat and anything over an optimum weight should be charged by the lb. Of course as Alex pointed that doesn’t do much of anything to address people of normal weight who are broad-hipped/shouldered.

I think theoretically yes, but it would be difficult to enforce practically.

Here's how:

Maybe if airlines charged by the pound we wouldn't have such a HUGE obesity problem in the US!

It does cost airlines in fuel for every pound they raise off the ground!

Like pets. People over 250 pounds will have to travel in the cargo hold in airline-approved crates.

I wouldn't go that far - but I do wonder to what extent we should pander to a person's sensitivities rather than address the practical issue of the cost:fuel:weight ratio... It is essentially a practical issue.

That's true. But the weight issue is still different from the space issue. If they started weighing people there would be an outraged American public. They will just keep restricting luggage, I think, which is too bad. I do think you have to treat customers with respect and people already feel enough like cattle when flying anyway. I think if companies thought they could make more money by ignoring people's personal sensitivities, they would be doing it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's true. But the weight issue is still different from the space issue. If they started weighing people there would be an outraged American public. They will just keep restricting luggage, I think, which is too bad. I do think you have to treat customers with respect and people already feel enough like cattle when flying anyway. I think if companies thought they could make more money by ignoring people's personal sensitivities, they would be doing it.

Generally I think there is a general correlation between a person's size and their weight, though admittedly airline seats - like those in movie theatres are one-size-fits-all.

[Caladan 19]

Southwest's solution doesn't sound bad. If you can't get the armrest down, you pay for a second seat unless the flight isn't full. If it's not full, they're not losing money. But the only problem with that it's the sort of thing sprung on the heavyset person at the last minute.

Plus, is anyone comfortable in a coach seat? I don't see how anyone who isn't shorter than 5'8'' and less than 150 lbs. fits.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Southwest's solution doesn't sound bad. If you can't get the armrest down, you pay for a second seat unless the flight isn't full. If it's not full, they're not losing money. But the only problem with that it's the sort of thing sprung on the heavyset person at the last minute.

Plus, is anyone comfortable in a coach seat? I don't see how anyone who isn't shorter than 5'8'' and less than 150 lbs. fits.

They're hardly luxurious at the best of times...

[Scott & Lai 12]

I have noticed however that US travellers (especially the middle-age ones) tend to be larger in general than equivalent Europeans.

Or equivalent Asians, for that matter.

[BJZags 17]

For those of you who voted "NO" would you also approve of two extra-small passengers (i.e. my wife and I) paying for only ONE ticket for the both of them if they both fit in one seat?

[SqdnGuns 21]

Curious as if they would have to pay more for this:

Canada unveils heavyweight ambulance

Jun 25 01:15 PM US/Eastern

Healthcare officials in Calgary have unveiled a new ambulance designed for treating and transporting obese patients in an emergency, believed to be the first of its kind in this country.

The rest here:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=07...;show_article=1

[Arazia 0]

For those of you who voted "NO" would you also approve of two extra-small passengers (i.e. my wife and I) paying for only ONE ticket for the both of them if they both fit in one seat?

To be honest... I'd be surprised to see two normal sized human beings who can fit in one airline seat. Even two little kids would have a tight fit. And I think this wouldn't be allowed simply for safety reasons. One seat = one set of safety/lifesaving equipment, which means in the case of an accident, only one of the two people would have a life-vest, breathing apparatus, etc.

Being somewhat large myself, it isn't as if we are trying to inconvience others when we travel. I do my best to stay out of other people's way and I don't take up more than one seat. I don't want someone taking one look at me and judging that I'm too 'large' and therefore must by a second seat when I don't need one and fit just fine in the existing seats.

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it. However, I've seen short women who have hips that look like hoola-hoops. They probably weigh less than I do, but their 'build' makes it more difficult to fit into those sorts of seats. I've even seen non-obese people who just have the 'pear' bodytype and happen to be wider in the bottom have trouble that has nothing to do with being fat.

Perhaps there isn't an easy answer to this, but I don't think people should have be forced, at the airport, after making their plans and possibly spending quite a bit of money, to pay an additional fee for a seat that they were not expecting. It could ruin a person's entire vacation and it simply isn't a feasible idea

[mawilson 2,133]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

Wait until airlines start doing 'edge of atmosphere' flights...

[Alex+R 0]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

He isn't using "extra" fuel. Just as a 25 lb. child doesn't get a fuel discount. It's based on averages, and he's above it. Many seats are occupied by those below it.

[Arazia 0]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

So, I point out again a woman lighter than me with a different body build who is 'wider'. If she takes up two seats and I take up one, yet she weighs less than me, then I should still pay more? I don't know, it just doesn't totally make sense to me.

Anyways, I'm going to bow out of this discussion.

[mawilson 2,133]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

He isn't using "extra" fuel. Just as a 25 lb. child doesn't get a fuel discount. It's based on averages, and he's above it. Many seats are occupied by those below it.

He is using extra fuel and a 25lb child does get a discount -- most airlines offer special children's fares.

Children under the age of 2 are allowed to travel free of charge.

[Mary Lou 681]

Weighing by the pound doesn't necessarily work either. I have a friend who is quite tall and weighs well over 300+lbs, but he isn't wide by any means, just tall and muscular. As long as he fits in the seat, he shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

Why shouldn't he pay extra for it, if the airline is using extra fuel to transport him?

As erekose pointed out, it's a practical issue of the fuel cost vs weight (passengers + luggage).

He isn't using "extra" fuel. Just as a 25 lb. child doesn't get a fuel discount. It's based on averages, and he's above it. Many seats are occupied by those below it.

He is using extra fuel and a 25lb child does get a discount -- most airlines offer special children's fares.

Children under the age of 2 are allowed to travel free of charge.

Nope, not always true. My SIL is coming over in Aug with her 6 month old baby, she was charged 55 quid for the baby, even tho it will be sitting on her lap.

[mawilson 2,133]

Nope, not always true. My SIL is coming over in Aug with her 6 month old baby, she was charged 55 quid for the baby, even tho it will be sitting on her lap.

I know it's true for American, Continental and United..... still, 55 quid is a big discount.