Is it Fair to Charge Overweight Passengers Extra on Flights?

This is a controversial question and a hot potato which many airlines are afraid to touch – even though it may be inevitable.  Passengers who have found themselves seated next to an obese person on a long haul flight often feel victimised and demand that the airlines do something about it. Others argue that the human rights of the obese are in jeopardy… But what about the rights of passengers who have to spend an uncomfortable flight jammed in a seat next to an overweight person where the arm-rest cannot be lowered? Should those who are overweight because they suffer from a medical condition or are excessively tall or muscle-bound also be forced to pay extra for larger seats or for two seats? 

Many solutions suggested on various internet sites would outrage California’s National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) which has taken up the issue with airlines regarding discrimination against overweight people.  However, in 2002 the BBC reported that Virgin Atlantic had to pay £13,000 compensation to a passenger who claimed she was crushed and injured on a flight from London to Los Angeles while seated next to a 23-stone woman.  Read the report here.

What about safety?  Would a real hazard exist in an emergency situation or evacuation?  Of course, this could all go to extremes and get entirely out of hand.  What would come next…Charging to put screaming babies in soundproof bubbles?  Cages for toddlers?  Banning those with B.O. or wearing sickly perfume or aftershave? Should underweight or small people or those with light luggage get a rebate?  Should those with weak bladders be required to only book aisle seats?

The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority has had to revise its guidelines regarding the calculation of the weight of a plane with passengers on board.  U.S. budget carrier Southwest Airlines charges passengers for two seats if they can’t fit into one, but offer a refund for the second seat if the plane is not full. See their website section: Guidelines for Customers of Size.  How long will it be before other airlines follow suit?  An excellent TripAdvisor site seatguru.com provides pitch, width and seating details for all airlines and aircraft as well as a forum for comments and suggestions. 

With something like one in five UK residents considered obese, is the answer for airlines to adjust the size of seats to account for the increasing size of the population in general?  Should they provide more legroom so that even average-size economy passengers can travel in comfort without being packed in like sardines? Should we become more compassionate and tolerant of our fellow human beings? We’d like to know what you think.  In the meantime, don’t forget to take out Travel Insurance for your next trip.