Under the best of circumstances, coach class on airplanes is an uncomfortable proposition. Even if you’re of average height and weight, the seats are small and crowded together, with very little leg and arm room. Add to the mix a person who is obese sitting next to you, and your space is often halved. This can cause bad feelings and ill will among passengers. In fact, enough passengers have been complaining about it that one airline has instituted a strict policy to all its oversized guests.
The Boston Globe is reporting that United Airlines is now going to charge obese passengers who spill over into two seats. If you can’t sit comfortably with both armrests down, then you will have to purchase an extra seat, without exception. No longer will they try to accommodate these passengers in seats next to empties.
Going to this length is controversial for many reasons. Should cheap flights just be for the skinny? How do you fairly determine which passengers are obese and which are not? Will there be a weigh-in? What happens if you sit next to a skinny person who jabs her elbows into your seat area—shouldn’t she have to pay extra, too? Making larger-sized people pay more is seen by some as discrimination, plain and simple.
But what about the people who pay for a whole seat but only end up with half a seat because the person next to them is taking up their space? Is it just so much tough luck? Or are they entitled to get what they paid for, an entire seat to themselves?
It would be nice if the airlines solved the problem by just making seats bigger, so that everyone can fit in them, but don’t hold your breath for that to happen anytime soon. The more seats, the more revenue for the airline, so they’re going to pack as many in as they possibly can.
What do you think is a fair solution?
i am an obese lady and NO I shouldn’t have to pay extra for another seat….it is definetly DISCRIMINATION! I am embarrassed enough that my weight is a problem…..i dont want to go through the extra embarrasment of having to pay for an additional seat nor should i have to pay more.i do not “spill” into another seat i fit between the two armrests but i do have to ask for an extension for the seat belt. It is uncomfortable for everyone so please dont embark on this pay for two seats bull….or i will buy a seat on another airline….who deserves my business! The airlines need to make everyone as comfortable as possible i know …..maybe they can seat larger people first along with families with children so that they can accomodate us so were not with those skinny bitches who starve themselves to make others happy in there appearance. little skinny people….i say EAT MORE then you wont be so damn unhappy. and ask to be seated with other skinny people if you dont like it!
Christina,
I don’t think you are the kind of obese passenger that these rules are intended to impact. As a regular business traveler, I know there’s a distinct difference between sitting next to someone who is large yet fits in the seat, and a person who can’t fit between the armrests. I recently sat next to someone with a super-size backside that could not squeeze between the armrests. I’m positive that a little Vaseline would not have helped this person fit between the armrests. It is unfortunate that the airlines don’t provide larger seats in coach for larger people. In my case, I’m over 6 feet tall and my bone structure is not small. So, if someone needs to hang into my seat, we’re out of luck unless one of us is going to sit on the other’s lap. I don’t think that the airline safety people would be too happy about that.
I did find a handy site that may help anyone dealing with super-size issues when they select the planes on which they travel. http://www.seatguru.com/charts/domestic_economy.php
Having had to be seated next to a person whose obeseness spilled over into my seat and it laid upon my body for the entire trip( her belly, hips, torso fat, and huge arms ) actually spilled over into my seat and on to me, I say yes, SHE should have had to pay for 2 seats. BUT I am not skinny myself, I can sit comfortably albeit snuggly in an airline seat but they are making the seats smaller and smaller. Where does it end?
Also what does The American Disabilities Act have to say about all this????
It is my long held opinion that there is an userved Market in Air Travel.
I KNOW! Airlines cram in more seats for more revenue. It makes sence on paper.
But consider:
I am a Business Traveler
I must fly Coach.
If there was an Airline with good connections and Coach Seating that was Roomy, Comfortable etc.. (btw not the old more Leg Room Scam), then I would book all my 60,000 miles with that airline and I would pay more. Since it is labeled Coach it is acceptable to my Travel Budget.
I understand that large people have a tough time sitting in airleine seats. But as a frequent traveler it is totally unfair to have to be pressed against the window or hanging out in the aisle for 2 or more hours. I say seat the fat people together or make them buy another seat. That way they can experiance what most people experiance (or they can buy another seat). It’s not my fault they are overweight. While there are some people that are unlucky when it comes to genes, face it, most of the time it is their lifestyle choices. We are not talking about the 220lb burley big guy, we’re talking about the slovenly obese. Cry all you want, you know its true so quit “dumping” your problem on the rest of us. if you can afford the extra food you can afford the extra seat. We discriminate against smokers and white men, we can discriminate against the obviously fat people. That’s the breaks, you don’t have more rights because of your lifestyle.
This is ridiculous! I’m a large woman, and fly occassionally. When I do fly I am able to fit into the seats ’snugly’ and the seat belt still fits. (Almost to the end, though)
Like we don’t have enough to deal with than some friggin airline telling us that we HAVE to purchase 2 seats! Who is going to do the measuring? If any of those flight attendants come at me with a measuring tape..all hell is gonna break out!
I’d buy the ENTIRE row and DARE those attendants to put someone in MY seats…like hell. My seats, I paid for them and I’m NOT sharing!
What’s next? Trains, buses, taxicabs? When is it going to end? I know! Hertz, Budget, Avis and the like are going to tell overweight people they need to rent 2 cars…lol Enough already!
Joe Sockit, if you are a frequent flyer…UPGRADE TO 1ST CLASS!!!
Joe,
Yes there are many of us obese people who suffer from bad genes as well as bad lifestyles. BUT it is just rude of people like you who are biased against us because of our weight. Being able to afford a second helping of food and being able to afford a second seat on a plane are two totally different things. I’s like comparing a toyota celica to a corvette!
However, I agree that if you cannot comfortably sit in a regular seat then you should buy a second seat. Being extremely overweight myself, I cannot imagine how mortified I would be if I ended up “overflowing” into someone else’s seat – especially if that person was a complete stranger! To avoid any problems I purchase 2 seats automatically. I did everything I should do, pre-selected my seats, paid extra for that pre-selection, arrived early to board early, and then had issues when the airline changed my seats to two that were across the aisle from each other!!! After explaining the reason that I had 2 seats in the same name, they grudgingly gave me 2 seats together.
No Melanie, YOU upgrade to first class, I fit just fine in my seat
Christina, I am one of those “skinny bitches” you talk about, however, I do NOT starve myself! I WATCH what I eat, and choose healthy foods over the FAT foods. And I don’t want somebody who doesnt fit into her own seat spilling into mine! I paid just as much as you for my seat, and so what if I am only 5′2 and 110 pounds, that does NOT entitle you to my seat! Melanie, you pay for the whole isle, then its yours! If you fit (albeit snugly as you put it) then you are fine. The point is not the people who do fit in their seat, its just those who do not, who make it an even more uncomfortable flight than it already is. Pat, leave the Americans with Disabilities out of it! Being grossly fat does NOT put you in the same position as say, a veteran without his legs! Just quit whining, and buy another seat so that we BOTH can be comfortable.
I’m not biased Angela, I am just standing up for my right to a halfway comfortable trip. I appreciate more than you could know that you have the consideration to buy the extra seat. You have that option. I did not, up until the airline changed it’s policy, the option to have my whole seat when an extremely large person spills into my seat. I agree the seats should be bigger, but the way the planes are designed they cannot put larger seats into them without eliminating seats and therefore profit. Companies will not pay for business class or first class so we business travelers are stuck in coach.
The world is not fair so we just roll with it.
This is not even remotly an issue of discrimination. If I purchase a seat, I am entitled to the whole seat, not 90%, or 70%, and I certainly am NOT entitled to even the smallest portion of your seat. This is not about the fat person’s rights, it’s about mine.
The kind of biasbeing talked about here is asold as the hills. Asa veteran I have seen this issue from both sides. I used to be very thin due to the fact that I ran 6 miles a day and did other things to stay in shape. Things changed however when I was injured in the line of duty. I waslaid up for 6 months and gained weight. Now dont get me wrong, I try to eat right and do what exercise I can. Yet I still see people looking at me like I must spend all my time eating. Losing weight is not easy when you do not have the ability to exercise like others do. I also agree that there are a number of medical conditions that cause people to be fat. The airlines have lost money by treating people badly in the past and this is just another example of them putting their greed ahead of their concern for the passengers who pay good money to fly. I have seen the size of the seats in airliners reduced over the past 2 decades. That is another reason for this problem. The airlines could make everyone more comfortable if they gave back those few precious inches to each passenger by taking one seat from each row. More people would be able to fly comfortably and in turn I believe more people would fly.
I recently had to fly after not for over 12 years because yes I am obese. I just went ahead and purchased an extra seat just to avoid additional embarrassment. It was difficult enough to ask for the seatbelt extension. I fit “snuggly” in between the armrests, but I could still see “glaring” eyes of the boarding passengers hoping not to be seated in my row. At one point I said loudly, “no one should worry, I purchased the seat next to me as well so not to “encroach” in anyone’s space. It’s terrible that had to feel that way but I read so much hype on the overweight who fly. I just would have liked the opportunity to be given even a partial refund being the flights were not full and my entire row was empty anyway. Some of us who are overweight are not because of overeating and I just wish society would not just immediately think it is. Even sadder that this trip had to be taken so I could bury my mother! Needless to say…I hope I do not have to fly anytime soon.
If an overweight person pays for the seat they are (as the writer called it) spilling over in, will they have two seats then or is the airline making extra money and not giving them the seat they are paying for?
there is a lot of hostility here. Yes this is an aggrivating subject. and I’m sure its very embarassing to have some airline person tell you that you are to big for the seat. I’m a big person, but i fit in to my seat, with out the extendor. my problem is that its a matter of respect. like not bathing in your perfume before you board the plane. I dont take over your seat, you dont make me smell you the entire trip. I dont agree with buying a second seat, but it may make the person more comfortable in the long run anyway.
At 6′8″ tall I know what an uncomfortable flight feels like. However, I have learned that I need to request exit row, aisle, or just simply suck it up and buy a first class ticket. This is what I’ve learned to be able to fly comfortabley. I can not correct my situation short of amputation, you can always try to take better care of your body and life style. i’ll be darned If I am gonna share my space with someone who does not have the common sense to realise their physical limitations and either voluntarily purchase an extra seat or purchase a seat in first class where you have more space.
Hey Christina!
Do you think that you have the right to deny me any portion of the seat that I have paid for. If there are unused seats it would be reasonable to accommodate you with the spare seat at no extra cost. If the flight is full and you cannot fit between the arm rests you will have to take another flight. This isn’t about your rights, it’s about mine. Your problem will have to be dealt with by making specific special arrangements in ADVANCE.
Isn’t this sad that everyone is feeling so blah, I’m a larger person, 6 feet tall, and love myself to the end of the world. If they want to tax my poundage go for it (I’ll just collect the extra tax on income tax). It won’t stop me, but then they better had realize they charged me and don’t cause any commotion, neither staff or passengers alike. We all have the RIGHT to travel whichever way we want and be damned if I stop any of it.
OK, then to be fair, the airlines ought to charge double for the half-wits who walk among us. And double for ugly or unattractive people, and double for drunks, loud kids, triple for stinky people, triple for the stupid and uneducated, double for bad breath seatmates, double for all those who don’t meet our standards, double for those who have to get out to use the restroom every 40 minutes, double for bores, double for anyone who encroaches on my right to happiness, peace, clean air, the right to be undisturbed during the flight, double for those who stash numerous huge bags over my seat bulkhead,
double for unhealthy looking people, double for poorly-bred people, a refund if there are ugly flight attendants, triple for anyone flying with same sex partners, and oh, yes, quadruple that fare for pilots who “imbibed” prior to the flight. When does the madness stop??? Is obesity the last acceptable form of discrimination ? Maybe your lifestyle is repugnant to me so there you go…fork over more money!
As a flyer who is overweight, I undertsand the frustrations of trying to fit in that small seat.I do not like to encroach on anyones space anymore than they like for me to, However having studied the seats, there are ways to give a few more inches to those of us that need it. case in point is the fixed arm rest next to the window. remove it and provide at least 3 inches in space and prevent that am rest from digging into my side
Jene Vom Hof Beck- HYSTERICAL!!! Lmbfao(laughing my big fat azz off)
Joe Sockit- You said you’re a frequent traveler…upgrade if you can.
But all in all, there seems to be a general acceptance that it is okay to discriminate against an overweight person. We are looked on as sloppy, unkempt, lacking willpower, over-indulgent, lazy whiners who want everything handed to us on a platter (pun intended). How about a little respect as human beings? No, we don’t to encroach on anyone’s personal space or deny anybody their rights; but at the expense of our pockets and self respect? C’mon!
What if the airlines changed just one or two rows to accomodate its larger passengers? Just larger seats? Or took out one seat out of three?
I’m sorry that large people may have to pay for 2 seats, but why should others be uncomfortable because someone does not have the will power to not eat so much. I think paying for 2 seats will be a great motivation to slim down America.
The Americans with Disabilities Act simply says that businesses must make ‘reasonable’ accommodations for the disabled.
This does NOT mean that they must make such accommodations for free either.
Businesses may, at their SOLE discretion, determine what is reasonable and what isn’t, not the fatties who are trying to get something for nothing (i.e. extra room for free or at another’s expense).
Fat people who spill over into someone else’s seat are STEALING from that passenger, who paid for their entire seat, not just a portion of it.
The ADA does NOT apply to businesses outside the legal control of businesses outside the USA.
Severely obese people can obtain medical treatment to control their obesity – the bad genes claim is not an excuse to complain.
Stop shoveling food into your mouth and you’ll lost weight.
Fuel consumption is based on total weight of the aircraft. The heavier the aircraft, the more fuel it takes to fly it, and thus the higher the cost of operation.
Paying by the pound is an EXCELLENT idea. If a fat person can afford to eat 10,000+ calories a day, they can afford to pay extra. Airlines charge extra for excess baggage (added weight).
Probably the best idea would be to install dividers between the seats, much like a stand up ride at an amusement park. Then you can fit yourself into the space and not infringe (steal) from the people beside you.
If I paid for a whole seat, then I expect to get a whole seat, without exception.
This is not an unreasonable request.
The ADA should be dissolved as it only serves to put financial burden on the rest of us, and provides an easy conduit for lawsuits. And while they’re at it, get rid of Section 8…
I haven’t heard a word about the lack of room for people who are tall or just broad shouldered. a poor man about 6′4′ was wedged into a seat behind me on a flight to europe. he was miserable and so was i, his knees had no where to go except high on the back of my seat and every time he moved, well you get it! another case was the man who was not overweight but had very broad shoulders, he was miserable trying to shave off a couple of inches from his frame to keep from infringing on the passenger next to him. what about the children and babies who cry all night or the man with the most horrendous cough infecting the entire plane on a four hour trip. the woman who had a weak bladder and was up every ten minutes like clock work. the couple with the worst table manners ever. the rudest flight attendants. the late night drinkers who form a line at the galley to get sloshed while normal people are trying to sleep. Enough?Get over it! you don’t live on a plane. drive.. its cheaper sometimes. take a cruise, make sure to have an outside room though. we are made stronger by adversity stop being such a BABY!!!
Yes airline seats have gotten smaller over the years. And yes it’s to get more people on and create more revenue and to make a profit. Will this change in the near future?? I don’t really think so!!?? If it does, great. Will you find an airline, in this day and age, that’s going to be willing to make special accomodations for WFBA ( wont fit between the armrests ) passengers?? Good luck!!
I’m a Flight attendant, and over the years I’ve also seen passengers get larger and larger!! We try to accomodate WFBAs by moving adjacent passengers to empty seats. However, in todays economy, the airlines have cut back on the number of flights and consequently, flights are most always full and that is not possible.
Having a WFBA passenger purchase two seats is not discrimination, it allows “ALL” passengers to get what they pay for.
I haven’t heard a word about the lack of room for people who are tall or just broad shouldered. a poor man about 6′4′ was wedged into a seat behind me on a flight to europe. he was miserable and so was i, his knees had no where to go except high on the back of my seat and every time he moved, well you get it! another case was the man who was not overweight but had very broad shoulders, he was miserable trying to shave off a couple of inches from his frame to keep from infringing on the passenger next to him. what about the children and babies who cry all night or the man with the most horrendous cough infecting the entire plane on a four hour trip. the woman who had a weak bladder and was up every ten minutes like clock work. the couple with the worst table manners ever. the rudest flight attendants. the late night drinkers who form a line at the galley while normal people are trying to sleep. Enough?you don’t live on a plane. drive.. its cheaper sometimes. take a cruise, make sure to have an outside room though. we are made stronger by adversity
I am not skinny, however I do agree, even though I may have to pay extra for my nephew who is big. Not only are some obese big taking up extra room. Due to size, they are unable to bath correctly & have an odor & due to alot of weight, they have trouble breathing & snore loudly. These can be annoying when sharing space on a long flight. I am no slim person, & I do understand & agree about obese people having to pay extra. If you are large enough to take extra space, that mean you are large enough to need extra space to pay for. If I have to pay for my nephew I will. The obese woman complaining about the skinny people is WRONG. You are obese & you shoudl be embarassed for not having control of yourself. I am ashamed & if I have to pay more I will. Or I will make the effort to lose weight. The airlines have always put people in cramped seats-they are not going to give up $ for extra seats for heavy people. You have another option-1st class.
I once took a flight from Chicago to Orlando. Lets just say I’m not skinny. I’m 5’6” and weight 190. Why do I weight this much, because I eat more food then my body needs. I fit between the arm rest and the seat belt fits. On this flight I was sitting in the middle seat. The man next to me in the isle seat had to have weight about 400 pounds and had BO. He took up more then half of my seat. It was a good thing I was traveling with a friend. She lifted her arm rest and we both had to ride the whole flight sitting side ways. By the time we got to Orlando both of us were in pain. I know all about discrimination, I‘m legally deaf and have been discriminated against most of my life. I’ve learn to deal with it. If I couldn’t fit between the arm rests I feel as a consideration to others I would buy two seats or I wouldn’t fly. That man should have brought two seats and since he didn’t I should have been given another seat however the flight was full. This was on United Airlines and I haven’t used them since. If this ever happen to me again I will insist on another seat or that person will have to move to another seat or get off the plane. I will never again sit side ways.
Bill,
You like so many othersdo not read or understand the complexity of this issue. It has been stated by myself and others that there are numerous reasons for people being large. Not Just Eating Too Much!!
There are medical conditions and other issues that come into this. It is short sighted people like you that cause many of the problems in the world because you refuse to see the “big picture” (pun intended).
As a veteran who was injured while defending my country and is unable to exercise the way I used to, I take extreme umbrage to your attitude and selfishness. Lets see how much weight you put on if you were to stop exercising due to an injury that will not allow you to exercise the way you want to.
Poor, poor Bill.
It`s a shame that blame is being used on passingers who are of large size. So now we start to point the finger and say this is a problem. So why is it that the airline don`t take there financal down falls and deal with it an another manner instead of having to put it on the passingers.
This is not about isnulting fat people. This is about being fair. It is not fair for a person to pay for a full seat and sit next to a oversized person that is spilling into the smaller person’s seat. If you have a problem with that then loose weight or pay the price. It’s that simple. You still have the right to be fat you still have the right to eat all the goddies you can, you just don;t have the right to invade someone elses space when they pay for a seat and want a comfortable fight just like I’m sure you do. So if you fit comfotably then don’t worry about it.
You know, the airlines are missing out on an opportunity here. I’m pretty sure that some simple analysis, they could determine the normal percentage of passengers who need/want more width, but are not willing/able to purchase a first class seat. Why don’t they just install some wide seats that are 50% wider and charge 50% more? They are playing the same game with leg room. Given the obesity rate in the U.S., there may be more demand for width than there is for leg room. As a business traveler, I might even start paying 50% more for wide coach seats to protect myself from the potential invasion.
Land Whales,
Listen Up, What’s there to gripe about—you can still fly—you’ll just have to pay your FAIR SHARE!!!
I am appalled at some of the comments that are being made. I am not an obese person, but I do not think it is fair to charge someone who is extra money. What has happened to customer service these days? Make accommodations for the customers for crying out loud! What will be next, my children can’t fly on a plane because they may cry? I read the article that said we might now have to pay for bathroom usage? Has everyone gone completely nuts?!?! And for those of you who show intolerance for those around you who may be larger, SHAME ON YOU. If you don’t want this to happen then pay the extra money and sit in first class. These coach seats are not comfortable for anyone obese or thin.
I am reading with great interest the replys for obese people. I am one of those, it is not healthy, it can be painfull and we feel ashamed, because people make us feel that way. It is not that we want to be this way but some of us have a medical condition that causes this, there is no sign that we can wear or anything that you can see on the outside but it’s there. People should think twice before they hurt people, I am tired of explaining to people that this is something I haave no control over. These companies should think twice about the action they take. I will slap them with a discrimation suite so fast it will make their heads turn and I will not settle out of court, I will take it all the way, and they make sure everyone knows what they are like to do business with.
Natascha, I will tell you what has happened to customer service. The fact is that most people do fit into the seats easily. It is about time that those of us who pay for a seat get to be the only occupant. You weight more you pay more. It’s like the more bags you carry on the more it cost. The more children you have the bigger the car you need to buy.
We have been pushed into excepting grossly overweight and obese people. Are kids grow up looking at these people as if it is the norm. We can not say a word at schools to stop feeding our kids junk because half of the people in the administration departments are overweight and don’t care.
If being overweight was such a good thing then why are there so many health problems that come along with it. Perhaps listing some of them for the folks who don’t know i.e. heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, a short life span etc etc etc.
First off, I’m 5′8″ and 290lbs…OBESE. Most of my family is obese, so I guess it’s part genes, part eating habits. I’ll eat what I want, when I want, and if I have to pay for a 2nd seat on a flight, so be it! Why would I want to be skinny just for the sake of pleasing other people? I’m the way I am because I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about me…Buying an extra seat just means I don’t have to endure the degrading stares, constant sighing, and rude comments from the skinny bitches next to me! My fat is my fat and it shouldn’t impose on other peoples’ personal space. It’s my problem, not theirs. And to those of you dumb fucks out there that think just because I’m fat that I’m stinky, stupid, lazy, greedy, and unloved, get a fucking clue! I take showers, I went to college, my house is SPOTLESS all the time, and I have a wonderful husband who loves me and ONLY me, not for what I could be, but for what I AM. For those of you that step onto a flight and grimace at the fat person two aisles down, have a heart and know that maybe it isn’t their fault and their just as uncomfortable as you are.
All I can say, BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! There are more serious issues than charging fat people extra for an ticket……
I got it! How about someone think of a business plan, and start your own airlines…..Maybe it can be called FAT AIRLINES that only caters to the obese person….They are starting it with animals, were they get to fly in the cabin versus underneath the plane….Hey there’s a concept!
Are you kidding me … when someone considers a dozen donuts as ‘breakfast’ … they have a problem! A dozen donuts feeds my FAMILY for the WEEKEND! Not only is it a disgrace to the human body, it is not in any manner a ‘right’ to take up two seats and only pay for one. If you can’t fit down the aisle …. START EXERCISING! These obese people eat more in one sitting than some children eat in AN ENTIRE WEEK … some in the UNITED STATES. Lose weight, or just accept the fact that you have made yourself a safety hazard to anyone and everyone around you, whereever you may go. They have weight limits on elevators for the same exact reason … if you’re the only one that can ride the elevator – start thinking about others instead of getting to the 3rd floor and eating another twinkie. THINK IDEAL WEIGHT … IT’S WHAT GOD INTENDED!
I just flew to round trip from Pasco to Anchorage on Alaska airlines they were very accomidating. If United does not want my business I will fly another airline. One thing that i have found helpful is that on many of the isle seats the arm rest next to the isle can be lifted if you find the release latch. This allows you more space without encroching on the passenger next to you. On overseas flights some of the airlines do have a Business class option which allows for more room. On a full flight if given the option I would rather sit next to a large person.
It’s a slippery slope. Either way someone’s rights are being violated. I really have no idea if I would fit into a seat or not; I haven’t flown since I was 19. What I do know is that my metabolism is sluggish due to genetic disposition and body type (I am an endomorph; the body type in which weight is most easily gained and lost with the most difficulty and have inherited an underactive thyroid). I also know that I was hit by a car in a crosswalk and unable to walk for around six months, which caused me to gain a large amount of weight. I also know that I have a medical condition that causes me to take three types of medications in which weight gain is one of the most prevalent side-effects. I have tried to diet and exercise all of my life. It takes two steady months of exercising 45-60 minutes a day every single day and eating minuscule amounts of food before I see even a single pound lost. Unfortunately, I also have fibromyalgia (as well as permanent knee pain/damage from being hit by the car) and even moderate exercise can be excruciating. I can understand that people want to be comfortable on a flight, and being seated next to someone who requires more than the minute amount of space an airline gives their passengers is bothersome and frustrating; but just because someone was luckier than me when the genetic roulette wheel was spun entitle them to less costly travel than me? That hardly seems fair. I would have to agree with those who believe that the airlines should have fewer, bigger seats and stop treating their passengers like cattle.
I am 5′5″ 127 lbs and I sat next to a man that could not put down the arm rest between us and took up half my seat and I spent my flight of 4 plus hours leaning to the side and I had to pay for a chiropractor after that trip, so the only solutions i see is no one sits in that seat and the airline eats that fare or the fat person pays for the amount of seats they use and the airline did not make that person fat.
[...] she found her seat, half of it was occupied by a rather large woman who spilled over from her own (this has actually been a topic of debate here regarding ticket purchases). As she wedged into her own aisle seat, the other woman (who had the [...]
Here is food for thought. Why don’t obese people get pissed off at Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, compact cars, Disney Land, water slides, bicycles, or any number of things in the modern world that have weight / size restrictions. After all, isn’t Porsche discriminating because it is a small car with little cabin space (and no cup holders). Should all amusement parks be required to recreate all the rides with wider rails for roller coasters to fit wider cars and bigger people? Several high end bicycles have weight limits. I guess that is discrimination too. The laws of physics make things more difficult for obese people, oh no. Sue the laws of physics.
The basic point is, no matter how much you all want it to be, the world cannot accomadate everyone. Companies do their best to do what they can for the greatest number of people. United Airlines should not be forced to make 90% of it’s passengers suffer to please 10%. Even if every extremely obese person (in this case I am talking about those who seriously cannot fit in one seat) decides to boycot United, myself and several other frequent travelers would be more than willing to take your place knowing that we would actually get our entire seat.