Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News
Original poster

Obese people have to pay for two plane seats

126 replies

mateykatie · 20/01/2010 14:10

Overweight passengers who cannot squeeze into a single plane seat are to be charged double to fly with Air France.

People who cannot fit into a standard seat will be asked to pay for two seats, or not be allowed on board for "safety reasons", according to the airline.

link

OP posts:
crumpet · 20/01/2010 14:12

This isn't new though is it?

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:15

If someone occupies two seats, they should pay for two seats. Why not?

TheWorldFamousKewcumber · 20/01/2010 14:16

I agree they are only proposing to charge if the palne is full.

Spidermama · 20/01/2010 14:19

Hmmm. It's a bit mean IMO. They should have a couple of bigger seats available for those who need them.

MadamDeathstare · 20/01/2010 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

crumpet · 20/01/2010 14:21

But surely the airline would still want to charge more for larger seats as they take up room which could be sold to house more passengers

Ronaldinhio · 20/01/2010 14:22

do you pay less if you have a smaller bum?

expatinscotland · 20/01/2010 14:22

When you buy a seat on a plane, you're hiring hte space.

My baby doesn't take up all the space in his seat, but we still have to pay for the whole seat.

I don't see what's wrong with charging someone who takes up more space than one seat the price of two seats.

Or why there should be bigger seats just for the obese.

What about people who are very tall? My BIL is 6ft., 5in. and would love a larger seat.

Too bad, isn't it? He can pay extra to fly business class if he wants more space.

MerlinsBeard · 20/01/2010 14:22

but if you need 2 seats then surely paying for 2 seats is only right?

like if you take up 2 spaces in a car park you are supposed to get a ticket for both spaces

GrimmaTheNome · 20/01/2010 14:23

Most planes do have a selection of seat sizes. They're called 'Business' and 'First' and you pay a lot more than 2xEconomy.

MerlinsBeard · 20/01/2010 14:23

Are 2 standard class (standard sized) seats cheaper than 1 business class (wider) seat?

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:23

But how could they have bigger seats? What if there were more large people than seats per flight? What if there were no large people? Would the regular sized person who then got the large seat have to pay a bit more for the extra space? Otherwise it wouldn't be fair on the regular sized person. It's a minefield.

Squishabelle · 20/01/2010 14:24

Something needs to be done. I have heard of cases where people spill into the next seat, making the person next to them very uncomfortable. I dont fly often but I would insist on keeping the arm rest down in between so that this could not happen.

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:24

They flow over the armrest..

EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 20/01/2010 14:25

'Mr Jauffret claimed he was told: "People as fat as you need to buy two seats."' owch!

GrimmaTheNome · 20/01/2010 14:25

The other reason for requiring large people to book 2 spaces is because otherwise on a full flight they will inevitably be squashing some other passenger who has paid for a full seat.

expatinscotland · 20/01/2010 14:27

'Something needs to be done. I have heard of cases where people spill into the next seat, making the person next to them very uncomfortable. I dont fly often but I would insist on keeping the arm rest down in between so that this could not happen.'

A man in the US actually sued, and won!, about this!

He claimed he paid for a whole seat, and only got half because the person next to him lopped into his.

How is it fair that one person pays the same fare as teh next but only gets half the space?

It's hiring space on a plane and is charged as such.

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:27

Well, I've said it before (usually on one of Anna's threads). The French sure do hate a fatty.

SerenityNowAKABleh · 20/01/2010 14:28

I can kind of understand it, as it is unfair for the person next to them, and it is a condition that you can change (yes, it may be difficult, but it's still something within your power to change) as opposed to tall people, who can't lose height. For tall people, there are always emergency exit seats, so I don't think it's necessary to have special extra large seats in economy

[many hours travelling with DP who's way over 6 foot and always kicks up a fuss if in normal seat]

MadamDeathstare · 20/01/2010 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

expatinscotland · 20/01/2010 14:33

I've been on longhaul flights many times. It's like sitting in a sardine tin for hours even without someone lopping into your seat.

TheresSnowDragonHere · 20/01/2010 14:34

If you take up more than one seat, you should pay for more than one seat or lose weight.

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:34

I am good friends with a couple who would possibly summon forth the air france measure de tape, they fly business class for their own, and others, comfort and save up to do so.

TheWorldFamousKewcumber · 20/01/2010 14:34

though I don;t agree with having the measuring/conversation at the desk - surely they should be taken aside.

I would actually talk to the airline in advance, though as I would book with my very little DS, between us we probably would be just fine in 2 seats!

Hullygully · 20/01/2010 14:35

That could earn extra income for Air France: express liposuction in the departure lounge.