Apr 2009
25
I'm an occasional air traveler these days, but I have had the uncomfortable experience on occasion to sit next on extremely overweight fellow traveler. It is very uncomfortable because the other guy is always apologizing for intruding on my "space"and I keep looking at my watch and can not wait for the adventure to end when the plane lands.
I do not think that it is unfair to insist, as SWA and United do, that when a traveler takes up too much space (and weight) that they should be charged as two travelers.
What do members of this forum think about this subject? I would assume that obese folks would feel differently that I do since it hits them where it hurts, but maybe not. (In responding, don't feel obligated to announce your size, or lack of same.)
USA Today is reporting that United Airlines plans to charge overweight passengers boarding at Chicago's O'Hare Airport for two seats if they cannot "comfortably" fit into a single seat or if they need more than one seatbelt extender. United is not the only U.S. carrier to develop such a policy. Southwest Airlines' "Customer of Size" policy requires passengers who cannot lower both armrests to buy two seats.
U.S. law allows airlines to charge larger passengers for two seats under the Air Carrier Access Act. Canadian law, on the other hand, prohibits airlines from charging larger passengers who are "disabled as a result of their obesity" for more than one seat under its One-Person-One-Fare policy. Large passengers who are not disabled may be charged for a second seat under Canadian law.
http://seniortravel.about.com/b/2009/04/15/should-airlines-charge-larger-passengers-for-two-seats-share-your-thoughts.htm
