Overweight Passengers Pay Extra

[Ed Wetschler]

Air Tran, now part of Southwest, is going to charge overweight passengers for two seats. eTurboNews reports that the judgments will be made by flight attendants, who will determine if an obese passenger can sit comfortably and be contained within that seat area with the arm rests down. 

Southwest has had this rule for years, but it applies the rule to less than 1% of its passengers. However, 33.8% of Americans are obese; will that percentage of passengers who are charged extra start inching up?  Is it fair? Is it enforceable?   ???

 

 

[Anil]

Unfortunately in the name of safety and security, FAA & DoT will let most airlines get away with it, on the grounds of discomfort to fellow passengers. The fact that no one mentions, that in the 70s & early 80s leg room and seat sizes were adequate.

[Ed Wetschler]

Anil, leg room was decidedly more generous; today's pitch is uncomfortable for anyone over 5'5".  But were seats really wider? I ask because the cabin widths haven't changed.