Is it discrimination for airlines to force people of size to purchase an extra ticket?

Shaina
#1. September 8th, 2007, at 1:16 PM.

Doesn’t that just happen if they dont think the person will fit in one seat with the arm rests put down?…

What else can they do? Make bigger seats for bigger people? That could be considered discriminatory too.

puppyfred
#2. September 9th, 2007, at 11:14 PM.

No. Why should I be made uncomfortable with some fat ass taking over my seat and smooshing me. Besides that, fat people weigh more and thus require more fuel on board to carry them because of the amount of weight a plane can carry. I take up one seat, and pay one price. I’d love a double seat for free to be comfortable. So the question should be, “Should normal people get bigger seats on the plane and be charged, when fat people should get them for free?”

Jill W
#3. September 10th, 2007, at 11:18 PM.

Oftentimes bigger people need two seats because they cannot fit into one.

If a normal-sized person paid for a whole seat, shouldn’t they be allowed to have a whole seat without sharing it with somebody who cannot fit into their own? I think so.

viablerenewables
#4. September 12th, 2007, at 8:18 PM.

It cost them more to transport them. Should other pay more to cover the added cost?

Michael R
#5. September 14th, 2007, at 4:31 AM.

It’s not discrimination if you require two seats to fit yourself in to purchase both seats. You are paying for the space you use. That’s fair.

dragonfire
#6. September 15th, 2007, at 12:08 AM.

no it’s not discrimanatory despite what they may say
they ( those who are overweight / obese ) choose their conditon
so they should not be a protected class

nukecat25
#7. September 17th, 2007, at 2:12 AM.

On a flight you are paying for a space on that plane. When your size is such that there isn’t enough space for someone else to comfortably occupy the adjoining space, then yes you should pay extra. This country is too accomodating to the overweight people. We need to not give in to feelings of these people, they just need a slap in the face to point out they have a problem.

Gypsyworks
#8. September 19th, 2007, at 11:27 PM.

Hi, I think that huge people should pay for one seat, and then half of mine if he/she is sitting next to me. Also, stinky people should get free Fragrance spray, Children more toys, and snorers a bag for their heads. Oh, and talkers, well, carry a rag.

hey jude
#9. September 22nd, 2007, at 6:30 AM.

It may be discrimination to an extent but I think it`s a necessity,for the traveling comfort of all concerned I think they should purchase an extra ticket,some people do it just so they can lay flat on international flights,I have been squashed up against the window for hours and on long flights it leads to frustration and anger its not a pleasant environment to travel in.

j_ardinger
#10. September 23rd, 2007, at 12:04 PM.

i do think it is discrimination, however the airlines should have a policy stated in advance of purchasing tickets. they have a size in inches for the luggage , just post on the websites and on all contracts a person size chart. if you are more than a certain inches/cm at hips/waist etc..you will be required to buy 2 seats to travel. the fact that they do not state it anywhere and then expect the person to have the extra funds is unfair. the person who has to sit next to the obese person is not getting a fair deal either.

Anon28
#11. September 26th, 2007, at 5:36 AM.

If you take up two seats, why should you only pay one fare?

You don’t pay per person, you pay per seat.

Spoo
#12. September 29th, 2007, at 3:35 AM.

Oh please! You apparently have never sat next to a “Person of Size” for 4 hours where they’re halfway sitting in your seat as well as their own. You’re scrunched up against the window or arched over the armrest into the isle because he/she is in the middle and to top it off, this “P.O.S.” is sweating like a pig (no pun intended). Have you been the Flight Attendant going up & down the isle, balancing a full tray of drinks & snacks to the passengers while this person is sitting in the isle seat & trying to squeeze by him/her? Probably not. I have! I’ve been that squished passenger. I am that Flight Attendant. These airlines dont wait til the customer’s last “leg” of their trip to squeeze more money out of them. If the flight is full then that cust. is asked to pay for an extra seat so they can comfortably “flow” over into that seat then they & the passengers around them can fly in comfort.