Is it unreasonable for airlines not to provide wider seats for obese passengers?

[Kag13]

I have today spent a four and a half hour Jet2 flight seated next to a young man who was at least 20 stone, probably larger. I could not use the left hand armrest as his body (fat) buldged over it and into my personal space (which on a budget airline is not that large) and his leg was resting over part of my seat.
Luckily I am only 5’2” and not that big but what would happen if someone of the same size was seated next to him?
it made for a very uncomfortable flight for me. Am I being unreasonable to think this is not right?

So you either want them to build bigger planes or rip all the seats out and put less seats but bigger so less passengers will be able to travel and the costs will go up all because of obese people?

that is the solution to obesity?

Leg room, yes. Economy seat width, no. A 737 was 2 rows of 3 40 years ago! People are on average wider but shockingly, not willing to pay more for seats so airlines have not adjusted.

"They" often buy 2 seats, but the airline takes the 2nd one away if the plane is full.

Once you’re in your seat on a plane it’s hard to see how many spare seats there might be. But crew know, so if they observe an obviously uncomfortable scenario, could they not take the lead and ask one of the people to move? Or could some sort of discreet system to request a move be made available seeing as the situation is more common nowadays

Unless the flight is fully booked could you not simply move to another seat once the plane had taken off? Ive done so several times when I was next to an undesirable companion. You dont have to involve the flight crew.

I think it’s a good idea and yes, I think they should cost more.

Was the passenger you @ObliviousCoalmine ?

Morbidly obese people shouldn’t be allowed to fly.

Nope. Banning obese people from flights is the answer. Motivate them to stop snacking.

Nobody said all the seats should be changed. A few rows yes. All no.

Planes are frequently serviced and seats checked and replaced as necessary so it could be done when they are serviced. Or as new planes are ordered.

Personally I think airlines should be forced to provide more comfortable seating full stop. Lots of people are uncomfortable on flights due to reclining seats or lack of legroom or width of seat / people hogging arm rests. All round unpleasant experience frankly and I say that as someone who is size 8'and 5'8" I can not imagine what it's like for people even size 14 or over 6'. Must be horrid.

Oh I wonder if they would 🤔 It’s never happened to me. I’m no longer obese so don’t have the worry of it anymore although if I was rich I would always book two seats as the extra space was very useful.

There was a case against BA where a passenger claimed damages for injuries caused by an adjacent obese passenger and he lost the case. Various reasons given including over stating discomfort and he didn’t ask to move. Plus, it was economy - it’s to be expected! So there’s personal responsibility in this too it seems. You have to upgrade or ask to move at the very least.

Are airline seats smaller than theatre seats? I’ve never flown so have no idea.

I agree with this . The thought of someone spilling into my seat would drive me mad . If you buy one seat you need to fit into it , if you can’t, either lose weight or buy two seats . It’s unfair to make someone suffer a horrible flight due to your size .

@DaffodilsinthespringBy and large similar unless you pay for a better class of cabin.

There isn’t a law to make them wider due to court claims and the width is easy to find. Around 17.5 - 18 inches for BA in economy. Emirates is similar - they all depend on aircraft. PE will be around 20 inches. So long haul is never going to be great if you are squished in or next to an obese person.

Because she opened a threat potentially inviting people to be mean with the comments. There is so much wrong with this threat but it is on the people making the nasty suggestions. There is so much ignorance as well about obesity reasons. Pretty sure if this is real issue. The airlines can find polite ways to deal with the situation rather than public shaming to add more trauma to an already very vulnerable people.

I don’t like obese people sitting next to me on a commuter train, sitting next to one on a flight where you are trapped is my nightmare. On the one hand I feel sorry for the obese passengers, it can’t be comfortable for them either. But if you have purchased a ticket and you have to contort yourself like a pretzel to avoid touching the larger passenger in the next seat, that isn’t fair or safe. Holding yourself taut to avoid someone else the whole flight can trigger all sorts of new and existing body issues like back pain. But just the encroachment on personal space is not acceptable. There is also a health and safety dimension if there is an incident on the flight.

The onus is on the larger passenger to either book two seats, to not travel by air, or to lose weight. The onus should not be on other passengers to try and suffer a long flight. The airlines need a way of checking at the gate. There probably isn’t a way to do this diplomatically, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. If they can weigh your luggage they can weigh the person, using health and safety as an excuse.

I have been on a couple of helicopter flights. They weigh the passengers beforehand to decide where to place you on the aircraft. If weight distribution is important for a helicopter why isn’t it for a flight? There probably is a good reason, someone might know.

I wonder how larger people manage with the toilets, I’m not big and some of the loos are tiny! (EasyJet!)

@dottiehens Obese people can avoid trauma by not flying economy and spilling over the seat. It not anyone else’s fault they do this.

I’ve been very, very large, and not spilled over seats.

Maybe they could make an obese row, get them to all squish together, that or they can pay for 2 seats. Doesn’t seem fair that an expensive seat was dominated by someone who didn’t pay, be that theatre, plane, concert, it’s just the basic issue of paying for what you use.

They are like seats on a commuter train but with an arm rest that divides the seats.

Economy just isn't that comfortable. Pack them in. Sell them cheap.
I do love how back in the day trains were 1st. 2nd, 3rd class, and the names have changed to 1st. Business and Economy or on trains Standard.

I think it’s disgusting how small plane seats are. I’m a healthy BMI and feel completely unable to move on a long hall flight. This can’t be good health and safety.

No one is going to pay for 2 seats. They just need to stop being so fucking greedy and make flying more comfortable! It’s disgraceful.

Why would OP be the one who no longer flies?

OP, I would complain to the airline, they might not do anything but they certainly won’t change anything if people don’t complain.

Did you ask in the flight if they could provide you with a full seat that you’ve paid for?