Do you think it is fair that overweight people should have to pay for 2 seats on a plane?

Question

Why should very overweight people be penalised?

Answer 1

Should this not be considered discrimination? Do not tell me that there wouldn't be an uproar if a person were charged more because of race or sex. So no I do not think it is fair at all

Answer 2

Even as a mildly overweight person, I feel this is fair. If I needed two seats in order to fit on a plane, then I should pay for two seats. It's anyone's choice, either through action or inaction, to remain overweight, so the airline can't be held at fault.

Answer 3

Because we are taking up more than our fair share of space, I guess. I am overweight but have never been charged for two seats--yet! But it's probably coming as I always require a seat belt extender.

Answer 4

Of course it's fair. First, the airline will lose money from not being able to sell the other seat, if you need two seats, you pay for two seats. Secondly, I know it's fair as the aircraft will have to on a lot more fuel to get the extra weight off the ground and to the destination. Why should I and other passengers pay for your extra fuel? We don't pay for the fuel you put in your car, so to hell if I'd pay for your extra seat and fuel on an aircraft.

Answer 5

As a pilot, one of the biggest complaints we get on an aircraft is from passengers in a seat next to an obese person.

It is not fair for anyone to have someone next to them lift an armrest and spill into their personal space and make body contact.

Whether you choose to accept responsibility for your weight or not, the fact is that you are too large to fit in a seat designed to fit 95% of the population.

You take up more space and should be required to pay for it and not make others feel uncomfortable. It is not a matter of discrimination, as your weight is not a disability.

Most airlines are sensitive to obese people and will usually refund the cost of the extra seat upon completion of travel if the flight was not sold out. Save yourself and your fellow passengers the embarrassment of being asked to deplane on a sold out flight because you cannot fit in to one seat. Buy a second seat and make everyone comfortable.

If push comes to shove, the obese person will be asked to leave the aircraft and given a refund. Nobody wants to do it, but it is the only solution on a sold out flight.

Answer 6

You are actually paying for the amount of fuel that it costs to get all of the extra weight up in the air. The math is that people will weigh an average of 200 lbs, plus 50 for luggage. Ticket prices are based on that average. they calculate how much fuel to put into the plane according to seats sold and luggage checked. The math is quite complex becuase any fuel that is added weighs in to how much fuel is needed. So you don't want to put too much in, but too little and you will fall out of the sky. It literally costs the airline more to fly overweight people. In reality, skinny people who don't check luggage should have to pay less than the rest of us.

Answer 7

As someone who has sat in coach, had an extremely overweight person sit next to me, and lift the armrest, and literally take over most of my seat, I can understand why the airlines have introduced those measures. It covers their costs, keeps slimmer passengers space protected, and limits on air clashes between passengers defending their space.

However, I think as MOST of the population is expanding around the waistline, the airlines should look at making roomier seats.

Answer 8

I think overweight people should pay for however many seats they use. They should also pay more for clothes, because it takes more material to produce them.

Asking why overweight people should be penalized is an invalid question. It's not a penalty, it's merely being fair. If you occupy two seats, you pay for two seats. To give you an analogy, compare a 70's muscle car to a 2007 hybrid vehicle. The person owning the muscle car isn't being penalized by paying more at the pump; they simply use more gas, and have to pay for what they use.

Answer 9

It is sad but since they are taking up two seats then the airline makes them pay for both seats since they can not get another person in that seat. Sometimes they are front seats or back seats that are a little bigger and have much more leg and aisle room, they can always ask for these to see if they can only pay for one seat.

Answer 10

i think its fair, You have to think of it in terms of the airline, if an overweight person takes up two seats, then that is a seat that the airline cant sell. By letting an overweight person pay for only one seat when they take up to they are losing money.

Answer 11

i think its fair b/c those people have made a life choice to be heavy and so should have to comply by each airlines seat regulations.
the people who get stuck sitting next to these very overweight people who have not paid for two seats but who are spilling over into the seat the other normal-sized person paid for, should be penalized. because ive been in this situation and it sucks.