June 22, 2002
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Should very heavy people who take up two seats on a plane, have to buy two tickets?

If my butt didn't fit in the seat comfortably, I would gladly pay for two seats. I wouldn't mind...

Nicci, 27
Las Vegas
, NV   USA

I think the airlines should apply whatever policy they do to accommodate people with other handicaps. If that doesn't include extra fares, then the charge should not be applied to those who are heavy.

Jane, 62
West Linn
, OR   USA

I don't really know about this one, but it seems like discrimination to me. Maybe they should make the seats bigger or have some bigger seats for such person. I do know that there have been instances of large people buying two airline seats only be be forced by the airline to give up one of those seats because they have over booked. In my mind that just isn't right.

Felicia, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

No, the seats should be bigger. Airlines don't charge by weight, they charge by person. . . so if they are going to do that, they have to accomodate all sizes of people.

Eric, 20
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

No way. For one thing, no one would THINK of doing such a thing on buses, subways, or trains. Why planes? For another, very heavy people have enough problems without being discriminated against on public forms of transportation.

Reba, 50+
Silver Spring
, MD  USA

It's sad, but maybe. It's a business decision for the airlines. A very big person might need to extend his seat belts, and it would be very uncomfortable for the person sitting next to him in one of those three-seat rows. Another alternative might be requiring a first-class seat. Those seats are roomier.

Judy, 62
Easton
, KS   USA

If two seats are necessary for the comfort of the other passengers, yes. I believe these days that babies are charged for a seat, even if they spend most of the trip in a parental lap.

Since Southwest Airlines announced the obesity surcharge, there has been a great deal of moaning and muttering that the obese can't control their fat and therefore should be pampered. Diet and exercise cause weight reduction in everyone who actually diets and exercises.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

If they actually take up two seats. But if planes were a little roomier, people who are overweight and people who are claustrophobic would be a lot happier.  It'd be nice.

Karen, 22
Ames
, IA   USA

If they need two seats then yes, they do. Now the obvious follow-ups: Do people in wheelchairs ride for free since they bring their own seats? Can you get 2-for-1 if you sit on someone's lap or if you're real skinny? Do midgets count as carry-on?

Alias Irrelevante

No.

Firelady, 24
Dallas
, TX   USA

I don't fly so I really not sure how "put off" other paying passengers would be if the heavy person did not have to pay for each seat he/she took. First response is yes; use two, pay for two. But then I don't know how fair it is that the seats aren't big enough to accommodate the riders. So I just don't know in this case.

Fisch, 47
Preston
, CT   USA

No, that's discrimination

Melodi, 19
Gahanna
, OH   USA

Actually, i think they should. Unfortunately, If they take up two seats, they should have to pay for two seats.

Doug2, 29
Overland Park
, KS  USA

I believe that is a hard question, after all they are taking up a seat that someone has to pay for, so Yes I believe that they should pay for the extra seat.  It's not a weight issue, it's all about the principle of air travel.  Every other "normal person" has to pay for their seats, so if you are so big and fat that you take up 2 or even 3 seats, it's your own fault in being so fat in the first place and therefore have to suffer by paying the price of all the seats taken up by your big fat bum. (Believe it or not, I am overweight also - but nothing like those obese Americans.

Brad, 21
Sydney  AUSTRALIA

This is a tough question...in a way it would be only fair...but in another way...I feel kind of bad for the extremely obese. What a difficult life they must live. How humiliating it would be for them to be required to pay for two seats! I just don't know how to answer this one!

Tam

I suppose that's kind of unfair, but I don't think any  Airline is equipped to deal with that kind of thing... I guess not, although I can see why I might think they should pay.

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

I suppose that the airlines should provide seating for people who would otherwise need to use two seats... this would eliminate the need to buy two tickets. They provide for others who have special requirements, so it makes sense that they should be prepared for something like this as well.

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

I think that they should. They are taking up extra space. And in all reality, it's their fault that they are that heavy.

Kyle, 16
OH  USA

I think the airlines should make larger seats. I don't care how thin you are, those seats are too small for any adult to sit comfortably.

Laura, 37
Lowell
, MA   USA

Absolutely not! That is discrimination. Some people can't help their size. It's not like they chose to be overweight. Those seats are too small for average sized people in the first place!!

Triana, 29
Austin
, TX   USA

Yes, it still costs children who can lay down in a seat the same as adults why not. Just b/c you have a big "arse" doesn't mean you should get special treatment.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

I think so because everyone has to buy one, people with children have to buy tickets for those seats...you can't change the rules for certain cases and not all cases.

Tracy, 24
Ocean City
, NJ  USA

Absolutely not. Thats discrimination. What, should heavy people never fly because its outrageously expensive for them to fly because the seats are too small for them only to have one?

Talia, 25
Stamford
, CT   USA

I would lean to say that if they do take up two spots, they should pay extra, but not double price. On the same subject, seats should be made a little wider to begin with, or even special seats offered on flights. And finally, screaming kids that take up a space, and cause other passengers to suffer, should be required to pay the full adult fare. Just my thoughts.

Ryan, 29
Morton
, IL   USA

No. Airlines should take into account that their seats are too damn small for even so-called "normal" sized people and expand them!

Keri-Jade, 21
Brampton, Ontario  CANADA

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