This Sunday I was on an 100% full flight out of MIA with 20+ people on standby, where a woman rushed from her seat just before they closed the door and exited the plane because she felt swashed sitting in the middle row next to a larger person.

I've wondered what they did for that person as all the flights that day were overbooked or had huge standby lists. In my mind if the lack of space was so serious that she got off the plane, then AA should be expected to accommodate her. Since she left the plane so late no one was placed in her seat.

From the obese passenger's standpoint I feel it is fair that they are charged differently. Think of cars, we don't expect that an obese should be able to by a larger car at the same price as a smaller car if they can not fit into the smaller car. Instead we just expect that they just buy a car which fits their body. The airlines do the same, they offer two sizes of seats economy and first class, with the option to purchase two economy seats if desired.

Posted By Iolaire McFadden on January 31, 2008, 12:52 PM

Speaking from both sides of the fat - at one time I was 291 lbs and always opted for the window seat because I always felt comfortably out of the way - I never used the restroom onboard flights and always stayed in my seat. Once I even had to ask for a seatbealt extension. Did I feel bad? No, It was who I was at that time in my life. Now I am 164 lbs and still opt for the window seat and still don't used the onboard flight restrooms. I still stay in my seat and respect others around me...did losing all that weight change me? NO, it changed everyone else. I don't agree with charging obese people extra, just because they are obese doesn't mean their wallets are fat.

Posted By Pamela Brown-Scott on January 31, 2008, 1:39 PM

Well, being an obese person, I know that whenever I get on an airplane I pray that I get one seat with a vacant one next to it. I am just as uncomfortable as is any person who has to share a seat next to me. I would be more than happy to spend a little extra to have some extra room, without flying first class. Most of us cannot afford first class seats, but would happily pay more for coach seats with more room. Perhaps the airlines should have a few seats on every plane that are somewhat larger, that a larger person could purchase, just to have more room.

One time I did buy two seats, only to have the person I was sharing the three seat row with, commandeer the center seat for himself. When I told him I had purchased that seat for myself, he ignored me and put his feet up on the center seat. When I complained to the flight attendant, she just shrugged her shoulders and said she was sorry. I will never purchase two seats again.

Posted By Nancy Brown on January 31, 2008, 1:56 PM

I think the airlines should build a few bigger seats for the overweight, only right that they have some room on a airline. Most all seating arrangement now days are to small.

Ever try going to an older sports stadium where they measured the people at 5' 6" and 140 pounds, try fitting in those little seats for 4 hours.

Most Obese people don't realize it or just hate to do it but they can get a disabled permit from their doctor, maybe they should!!

Posted By Art Vangriff on February 2, 2008, 6:42 PM

I know the subject is obesity but this dialogue can apply to tall people also. I am 6'7" and most airplanes do not accomadate tall people. Obese people can change their situation through dieting and exercise. Tall people have no choice but to fill like a quart of milk in a pint container.

Posted By Chris Brown on February 3, 2008, 4:15 PM

From experience, there is no easy solution to this problem.

My father is an overweight individual and has in the past bought two seats. But every time he has done it, the seat gets taken up somehow.

Once it was by a standby passenger, a pilot who had to get to the next airport and it was a necessity. We were not even refunded the money.

Another time it was a woman carrying a baby, who just wanted to put the baby down for a second, which turned into the whole flight.

Now if I do fly with my father, we do not purchase 2 seats cause we have been burned in the past by it.

Posted By cindy on February 4, 2008, 12:10 PM

The fault lies first with the obese passenger, but let's not forget that the airlines have shrunken our seats and legroom considerably through the decades. I remember in the fifties our seats were so large that I could fold my legs next to me, in the seat, and sleap in a modified fetal position. Really!

Posted By Molly Shannon on February 4, 2008, 12:11 PM

I beleive that obese passengers should pay for the extra ticket. Why should the airline or other passengers have to pay for it? It's that persons fault that they are obese, no one elses so it should be their responsibility. I don't see it as a disability, it's simple, unless you really have some disease that causes you to be that overweight, it's your fault that you are that way, go on a diet and exercise and lose the weight, that's what everyone else does, don't push it on the rest of the world to accomodate your lifestyle.

Posted By kathleen on February 4, 2008, 12:11 PM

I don't think it's fair for a 300lbs person to take up half of the seat that you paid for. I was stuck next to someone of considerable size once and he asked me if i could put the armrest up. I refused and he got all huffy and puffy, like it's my fault he's obese.

I take a lot of pride in maintaining my health, not eating corn syrup or eating at burger king. Why do i have to be penalized for someone else's inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

If you want to take up half my seat, maybe you should purchase it before. Or maybe better yet be prepared to pay me off directly at my seat for half of my fair that you are taking up.

Posted By Tom jackson on February 4, 2008, 12:14 PM

First, let's remember that if being thin were easy, everyone would be thin.

I'm heavier, but certainly not large enough to inconvenience neighbors, but my husband is a large man who is also pretty round. I HATE flying with him because he ends up leaning on me rather than taking up room of the person on the other side of him. So, I definitely can relate to the problem.

Ultimately the problem is with the design of the airplanes. What does it say that the planes are not accommodating a very high percentage of the population? In the future, this should be addressed.

In the present, I think it has to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Posted By Meghan on February 4, 2008, 12:15 PM

People that aren't obese have just as much right to every inch of space that their seat allows too - just because a larger person is sitting next to them doesn't mean they should have to sacrifice any of their space. I am not obese, but I'm a tall person who needs to spread out in the given seat room in order to have even the slightest bit of comfort. As Chris said - obese people can lose weight, but tall people can't shrink.

Posted By Jenny H on February 4, 2008, 12:17 PM

HI. I had live that nightmare. The airlines made the parents paid for their kids it should be the same for overweight people. They should paid extra and the airline should have a special road on the back for them . They'll be more comfortable and we all be happy.

Posted By Lissette Villanueva on February 4, 2008, 12:19 PM

I being on the heavier side of things always try to travel with a skinny friend who understands my situation. Also I have asked to change places before. Don't be afraid to speak up.

Posted By SaraLee on February 4, 2008, 12:21 PM

If the airline charges so much extra for overweight luggage, why shouldn't there be an extra charge for excessive body weight? I greatly resent it when someone next to me oozes over 1/4 of my seat. The best solution would be for the airlines to provide wider seats for obese people with a 50% surcharge. A person has the right to eat as much as he wishes as long as the consequence is not at my expense.

Posted By John on February 4, 2008, 12:21 PM

Perhaps if the airlines made seating as in your car, home, school or any other seat, more obese people and every one on the planes would be comfortable. There should be weight limits for pasengers fares however.
If a carmaker made seats in cars sized as airline seats, no one would buy them, obese or not.

Posted By Dennis Buckelew on February 4, 2008, 12:21 PM

They should definitely have to buy enough space to accommodate their size. I've sat through so many flights of a sweaty overweight person basically on my lap. It's completely unfair to those of us who are fit.

Posted By jen on February 4, 2008, 12:22 PM

Creating larger seats for obese patrons sound reasonable, but at what cost? At 160 lbs, I'm not obese, but if I had a choice to be very comfortable in a larger seat I would pay a little more for that comfort. I have an aunt who is obese and I know the pressures that come with being overweight. While dining out at Taco Bell, my aunt got stuck in the booth/table. We almost had to call the EMS squad to get her out, but she painfully wiggled out of the seat. If the restaurant had larger seats, we would have sat in them and saved her the embarrasment of getting stuck.

Posted By Eva on February 4, 2008, 12:22 PM

I also read the original letter, and my thought was that I would have insisted that the arm rest be put down. I was in this position once, and insisted that the large individual in the middle pick herself up, put down the arm rests, and did not spill over onto my seat. I think insisting that those arm rests keep the seats separate is the beginning. If the person does not fit in the defined space, the airline has a problem they need to address. I refuse to share my seat.

Posted By Shannon Sullivan on February 4, 2008, 12:23 PM

I for one will not sit in a seat on a plane with an overweight person taking up my seat - if they don't fit into the seat they need to buy 2 or 3 tickets, thus seats periods. i am so sick all all the fat ones - it is not an epedemy or illness -it's only because they want to eat non-stop. now we have to pay for extra luggage, tickets are more due to a plane needing more gasoline due to the heavy weight - it is idiotic to make excuses for them. they are eating up our health care system and everything - charge them by the pound...........

Posted By andrea wanders on February 4, 2008, 12:24 PM

In every industry that deals with people... Not cars, not animals.. but PEOPLE, there is the matter of customer service. Industries are judged by the level of customer service they impart and making a Person feel comfortable on a flight is important to the N-th degree. There should be seats available on every flight for overweight, tall, and handicapped as well as mothers traveling with small children. The answer? I'm not in the industry of building airplains for passenger flights. But it seems to me that some engineer somewhere should re address this issue. I know with the price of fuels rising all the time, having as many $$people$$ on a flight as possible is important, but if they complain and want their money back have you really done your best at custoemr service. I think the first Flight Service to offer Personalize seating, at a price of course, will quickly monopolize the industry until the others catch on! I dare you... :)

Posted By Ann Thibodeaux on February 4, 2008, 12:25 PM

I have written about the recent Canadian decision in my online column about accessible recreation at Suite101.com.

Based upon the decision, it is possible, though I would not say a sure thing, that the extra tall might also qualify for seating accommodation - but I don't think the airlines are going to offer that voluntarily without an order compelling them to do so.

I also think there is a brilliant marketing opportunity here and I hope the airlines get ahead of it. The ruling on "one passenger, one fare" requires the affected airlines to allow a disabled person to bring an attendant at no charge if the attendant is required on the flight, and requires them to provide reasonable accommodation for people who are disabled by obesity - probably with a larger seat or an empty seat beside them.

I think that if the airlines offered a deeply discounted fare to these travellers on off-peak times, everyone would win. It's true that not everyone can be flexible about when they have to fly, but if a passenger has flexibility and there is a price inducement, perhaps they would choose the off-peak flight. The airline would then be able to sell its higher priced seats on a one person, one seat basis.

Posted By Jill Browne on February 4, 2008, 12:25 PM

maybe we should start giving height and weight info when we book a seat and the airlines could plan accordingly - ever taken a puddle jumper across the caribbean - they weight you and your luggage???

Posted By tina mitchell on February 4, 2008, 12:26 PM

Next they'll be charging for armrests! How many people (skinny and not) have had to sit in the dreaded middle seat with either their elbows and arms safely stowed close to their sides w/ hands in their laps, or "hugging" themselves for a flight lasting an hour or two? I feel like I need therapy after those flights. Maybe they could just make those seats for folks who weigh less than 150lbs and charge less, and the larger passengers could have the aisle and window seats and pay more.

Posted By Rod Marshall on February 4, 2008, 12:26 PM

I believe that the responsibility is on the airlines. They are the ones that try to put so many seats inside an airplane and they do this by making the seats so narrow, that is can be quite uncomfortable for an even moderately over weight person. To be completely comfortable one would have to be a child or an anorexic person, which children probably are not flying by them selves that often and the seats should not be made to their body size and no one should be so skinny because they are anorexic. In closing I feel that the airlines could make the seats at least a little bit wider. As far as one person paying more is ludicrous, they are going to the same destination, unless of course they are sitting in the first class section.

Posted By Linda Rodenberg on February 4, 2008, 12:27 PM

I believe that United Airlines has something called Economy Plus, which provides a bit more legroom for a few dollars more than an regular economy seat. Maybe UAL, and other airlines,should expand on this in providing larger size seats for obese people, and charge a slight premium for these seats. Everyone would be happy then.

Posted By E. McCaskill on February 4, 2008, 12:27 PM

The airlines profit from whittling away the seat-inches so that even average-size people are uncomfortable, so they should take the financial responsibility for creating situations like this.

Once on an overnight flight from US to Europe, I was entirely unable to sleep due to an enormous person who couldn't help but share my coach seat. Although I'd gone to a lot of trouble to shift my body's clock so that I'd be able to hit the ground running, I was so groggy that first day that I could hardly stay awake enough to make train connections.

It wasn't the fault of either passenger that I was sleep deprived, it was entirely the fault of the airlines for packing us in like sardines--especially when some of us are more the size of salmon.

Posted By Glenda on February 4, 2008, 12:28 PM

Oh, so your either obese ,tall, or both. Special seats, wider & roomier than the others would be more compatible & comfy.Price wise- higher fare for the accomodations. Would one be willing to pay for the comfort and signaled out as being needy & different? I think so. That's why people fly first class, for comfort.

Posted By Henrietta Olstynski on February 4, 2008, 12:31 PM

I think the airlines should have some larger seats in coach. They can charge a premium for them, but not the ridiculous amounts they charge for business and first class. Non weight challenged passengers can reserve them and pay the premium.

Posted By Joan Carroll on February 4, 2008, 12:32 PM

I am obese. I weigh about 370 pounds. This causes several issues.

The airlines already charge extra for overweight baggage. This is at least mostly for a different reason, that they discourage extra heavy baggage to save the backs of the baggage handlers. However, each pound of cargo or passenger requires fuel, and an obese person requires more fuel than an anorexic. I don't know if it is significant, but if it is significant then I could understand an extra charge for an obese person to cover the difference. I wouldn't like it, but I would understand.

The second issue is the comfort of fellow passengers. It is difficult enough to be comfortable while flying. An obese or wide-shouldered person next to you just make it worse, and I am both wide-shouldered and obese. I do what I can to minimize their discomfort, and I usually end up with my arms crossing my chest with my shoulders forward. I guess it helps that, although I fill the seat, I don't overflow into the next seat. But I notice that many obese people don't really care about the discomfort of others. They take up as much space as they can and they don't seem to care about others.

Posted By Duane on February 4, 2008, 12:32 PM

I'm a fat person, but not so fat that my body invades the space of the airline passenger who is seated next to me. If someone is so obese that their body expands into another passenger's space, the airline should require the obese person to purchase another seat or to purchase a seat in a cabin that has larger seats. Perhaps if most airlines provided wider seats and more leg rooms in coach/economy class, less people would need to spend the extra money to accommodate their extra weight.

Posted By Chubby person on February 4, 2008, 12:33 PM

I don't think coddling the obese is beneficial to anyone. While I agree it is a disability, it's a disability like alcoholism is a disability, where an emotional/physical need overwhelms well-being at every turn. It's not like cerebral palsy or autism. The obese pay more for clothing that requires more material, and for any other need that's to accomodate their extra size. I don't think flying should be any different, and I definitely don't think the airline should create larger seats to make it easier for people to be fat. Even having this conversation is indicative of the myriad ways America makes being physically unhealthy a viable option.

And for the record, I grew up with a morbidly obese mother.

Posted By Sarah Moeding on February 4, 2008, 12:34 PM

GET REAL! No one should have to give up their space for another person who cant put the fork down! It is each persons responsibility to fit in their seat... its not like all of a sudden the seats shrunk, or the airline has plotted to only have slim people as guests to prejudice the larger set. Its a matter of courtesy. I am 240lbs and would never travel via air and inconvenience someone else because of my choices to be lazy, shove my face full of bad foods, and then complain about not fitting in a plane seat. PAY THE EXTRA FEE and next time you might spend that money on a diet program.

Posted By Luke Powell on February 4, 2008, 12:34 PM

I believe that Southwest's "Passenger of Size" policy as written is the best possible solution for this problem. An oversize passenger (who does not fit entirely within their own seat) is obligated to buy a second seat. If that flight is not full, they get a refund. Unfortunately, it is not always enforced, because I had a (thankfully short) flight experience just like in the article, which made me research the policy in the first place. The passenger next to me (who was well into my seat, and using a seatbelt extender, on a full flight) must not have bought that extra seat. I just wish I had known to express my discomfort to the flight attendant. I know I was intentionally chosen as a row-mate because I am small (she basically said so) and I resent it. At least most of my flights are more comfortable!

Posted By Denise W on February 4, 2008, 12:35 PM

If a passenger has a portion of their seat taken by an obese passenger and they have to lean sideways or contort themselves in some other way, they are in increased danger of DVT or other injury from that unnatural position.

Posted By Dave on February 4, 2008, 12:38 PM

I think it's reasonable for airlines to have a weight/height guide on their website, and with travel agents that shows weight limits based on height, and by sex. Anything over the guide, the passenger should pay extra, and perhaps even a section of seats to accomodate these passengers. They will pay a premium for theses seats.

Posted By Jerry S on February 4, 2008, 12:38 PM

This is an issue of personal responsibility, not political correctness, which is a joke. Not only is it an inconvenience to the personally responsible, that control their weight and conform to the rules meant for the vast majority, society has to pay cost of someone's excesses through higher insurance, creating a situations that causes disruption & nconvenience. Let them pay a 50% surcharge. There is nothing worst than sitting next to sweaty smelly fat person on flight no matter how long or short.

Posted By Jim Flynn on February 4, 2008, 12:39 PM

I've known folks who had to have oxygen aboard an airplane. It was not their fault but the airlines charged them extra for special service to provide it. Providing extra seating space is also a legitimate charge for an obese person - whether they can help it or not. Sounds like a need for a federal rule for all airlines so that if one enforces it another can't profit by not.

Posted By Allan on February 4, 2008, 12:40 PM

There should be some wider sats either in the front by the bulkhead, in the middle by the wing door & or in the back for obese passengers w/c should cost more than the regular seats since they would be wider.

Posted By Mike Colcol on February 4, 2008, 12:41 PM

I have been seated in the middle seat next to a person of larger size which of course caused me to have less seat. I think people who are larger know they are larger they don't buy themselves twin beds at home so they are well aware that they either need to purchase 2 seats in economy or just purchase a seat in first class. This is something they are aware of - airlines could possibly offer vouchers for a nominally priced for X-large customers who actually have a medical reason that causes the obesity- to upgrade from economy seating to 1st class. It's unfair to the passenger that loses a portion of their seat due to someone of bigger size. It basically comes down to courtesy - you know what you weigh and you know the size of seats be courteous.

Posted By Joni Stone on February 4, 2008, 12:43 PM

Greed, that's all it comes down to. The share holders want big dividends so the airlines have to make cuts somewhere and the paying passenger is the one who suffers - regardless of build. If animals were packed in planes as humans are, there would be a lot of questions to answer. It's about time economy seats were a decent size. We all want comfort, but unfortunately not all of us can afford it.

Posted By Michele Motley on February 4, 2008, 12:43 PM

Obese people CHOOSE to be obese, and therefor should pay a higher hate for things associated with their larger size, if it 'space' is for sale, such as on an airplane.
Many people would argue that obesity is chosen, but working in the medical field has made my opinion a very strong one. It's only fair to the airline and other passengers to have a few larger seats on each plane for larger people, at a rate of what the 'space' would cost.

Posted By lori q on February 4, 2008, 12:44 PM

I agree a obese person should not have to pay for a first class ticket in order to be halfway comfortable on a flight...it would be nice if for a little more charge on top of you're original flight fee you could get a larger seat....I'm also tall and like the gentleman above my knees always hit the seat in front of me and I hate when the person in front of me lean their seat back it makes it almost unbearable especially on a long flight situation....But as I look around when flying and not even a thin person looks extremely comfortable on a flight so then how whould you regulate who actually gets to sit in those larger seats first some first serve or will they also weigh US when we check in?!?!

Posted By Sara Comer on February 4, 2008, 12:45 PM

How about working together on this? ATA has fat people who require 2 seats buy an extra ticket, then if there are ANY extra seats on that flight, their extra seat is refunded. And trust me, no fat person wants to sit next to a "fat-hater" any more than you want to sit next to us.

Posted By Sue on February 4, 2008, 12:47 PM

I recently travelled on an Air Transat flight to Mexico and encountered this situation. After Air Transat had rescheduled our flight at the last minute, and with an additional delay waiting for the aircraft to arrive at the airport, I walked on to the plane 12.5 hours later than expected and so not in a great mood. When I reached the exit row - that I had payed $70 extra to sit in - the extremely obese person seated next to me had lifted his arm rest so that he had taken his seat and 2/3 of my seat. I squeezed in for 1 minute between him and my husband on the other side and then got directly up and spoke to a Steward. Quietly and tactfully, I simply refused to sit there. I had paid for a full seat, not 1/3 of a seat. Before long passengers were rearranged and I was in another seat, across the aisle from my husband, still in the exit row. Leg room in the rest of aircraft was atrocious - this kind of sardining people into seats should be illegal - so I wasn't about to move out of the exit row. Seating this extemely obese person in the exit row should not be allowed. I have requested and sat in exit rows on many flights (never with Air Transat) and always was strictly questioned as to whether I was able-bodied or not. This doesn't seem to be an issue for Air Transat - I realize that fitting that person into any other seat (expect First Class) would have been impossible on that aircraft but this type of problem should be solved NOT to the endangerment (or even discomfort) of the rest of the passengers. In the case of an emergency, that person in the exit row would have been a liability to everyone trying to exit mid aircraft - whether he or Air Transat want to admit it, or not. That was my LAST Air Transat flight by the way.

Posted By Barbara Green on February 4, 2008, 12:47 PM

Obese - come on I could be obese if I ate lots of food but life is about choices - so I make a choice to hang around 138 lbs. while the passenger next to me who is spilling onto MY seat ate delicious rich chocolate cake with their lunch. Seriously though - I think airlines should have larger seats for obese people and charge them NO extra - lets face it we aren't going to be encouraged to get obese to get the bigger seat. If there are no obese people on the flight then the seat could be designated to say a mother with a toddler or whatever.
Why should we as passengers be uncomfortable because someone is in our "space" because of choices they made in terms of their lifestyle.

Posted By Kathy W on February 4, 2008, 12:47 PM

No matter what the person's size is that is flying, they should feel comfortable. Big or small it should not matter. To charge a larger size person more airfair is crazy, and it is discrimination. Again a question of society wanting everyone to conform to their standards. Yes it is healthier for a person to be "thinner" but there all kinds of reasons why a person is overweight. They should not have to answer to an airline or anyone else for that matter why they are the size they are. I too, am speaking from both sides, and from personal experiences have at times felt extremely uncomfortable flying with certain airlines because of my size. RIDICULOUS!

Posted By Lorena Loden on February 4, 2008, 12:48 PM

I wrote a long letter to UAL after having to spend much of an 11 hour flight standing because there wasn't enough room for me to sit comfortably in my assigned exit row seat. Not only did the large person next to me occupy much more than his "share" of the space, but I seriously doubted his ability to perform the required actions in the event of an emergency. He should not have been seated in an exit row, where everyone's safety might be dependent on him. UAL's response was, to put it politely, not helpful, perhaps because they thought that I would report them to the government.

I then suggested that they introduce X-class fares and configure the rear section of the airplane with wider seats for people who could not fit into the standard economy seats. Those larger people could sit in the X section with their companions. For those who are single, the X zone might even turn out to be a dating opportunity, where their collective relegation to a special section would be a conversation starter. My intent is to make the X section voluntary, but the flight attendants on a given flight might decide to move someone to that area if he/she were inconveniencing passengers seated in the non-X seats. The big question (pun intended) is what percentage of seats to allocate to the X section, recognizing that this approach reduces the number of seats on the plane. In this regard, it's not all that different from the old problem of assigning some number of rows to a smoking section.

I'm trying to find a way that balances the rights of large people with my right to have unimpeded use of the minuscule (and shrinking) amount of space allocated to me in today's economy section. I'm aware that we could propose lots of other ways to subdivide the cabins, but I'm trying to focus on just this one issue for now.

Posted By TonyW on February 4, 2008, 12:48 PM

Would this woman who complained about the overweight passenger have been happier to sit next to a small child (lots of seat room) and be poked, talked jibberish to and cried to for that flight? There are much worse seat buddies. We all chose to fly that flight and all must get along.

Posted By lorraine on February 4, 2008, 12:48 PM

If you need one seat, pay for one seat. If you need two seats, pay for two seats. If you pay for one seat, you pay for the entire seat, not two-thirds of it

Posted By Rick Feeney on February 4, 2008, 12:49 PM

With airfares as they are, we are paying $25 or more PER INCH of seat width. Passengers should not be expected to give up any of this precious real estate, nor should they be expected to subsidize bigger seats for the obese. Armrests that come down to seat level should be installed to eliminate oozing into someone else's seat. If you need more than one seat, buy two, and hold your ground when the airline wants to give your second seat to someone else. You wouldn't give it away if you bought it for your kid, would you?

Posted By John M on February 4, 2008, 12:49 PM

An obese passenger should purchase 2 tickets, if it takes 2 seats to accommodate her/his girth. I used to be obese, and I purchased 2 tickets for myself, only 1 of which was reimburseable by my company. But it was the right thing to do.

Posted By Patricia M on February 4, 2008, 12:50 PM

As an obese passenger, after reading these comments, I am beginning to feel as if I should never fly again and that I should stay home in my hovel, less I inconvenience anyone smaller than me walking down the street, by having to walk around me. If losing weight were easy, I would be 110lbs and a size 2 right now. Believe it or not, I don't sit around stuffing food in my face all day long. In fact I probably eat less than your average person on a daily basis, but weight has been a struggle for me, for years. But I love to travel. I am not made of money and I do everything in my power to try and make the entire flight experience more comfortable for everyone involved from trying to be upgraded to other classes to speaking with agents at the gate to attempt to find a seat that has an empty one next to it, but all flights seem to be flying at capacity these days. I sit by the window every time, I leave the arm rest down and try not to move at all, to the point of enduring actual pain in my legs after staying that way for hours. I don't necessarily spill over to the other seat but I fully fill out my seat and my thigh will touch anyone remotely heavy, that's sitting next to me. So what is my solution? I don't think the entire airline industry needs to cater to me but I do think that some regulations need to be employed. Maybe commit to leaving 2-3 seats empty a flight for these specific reasons. Or have a row that is only 2 seats wide, instead of three, in the same space two seats would take up on each flight and charge a nominal extra fee, like they do for overweight baggage, not a full price economy ticket. Require proof of weight in order to book those seats by having people reserve them and then showing up to the airport to prove that they are large enough to require them and if they are not, release them to other passengers. I just don't think there is anything productive in telling overweight people to basically lose weight or suck it up and stay home and stop making my life uncomfortable. It seems cruel and counterproductive to the airlines, as well. Imagine how much revenue they would lose if every overweight person stopped flying, when so much of the population is considered overweight/obese. It could cripple the industry and then none of us will have the chance to travel anywhere and that will be the real shame of it all.

Posted By Tracee on February 4, 2008, 12:55 PM

I fly often and really resent an overweight person taking up any of my seat space. Keeping the arm rest down is essential. If someone can't fit in a coach seat they should buy a first class seat, or take a bus! The idea that airline seats should be wider to accomodate obese persons is ridiculous. That would mean fewer seats on board and higher ticket prices for everyone.

Posted By David J on February 4, 2008, 12:56 PM

I can understand the inconvenience from both perspectives. Over the last two years I have lost 45 pounds. My flight experiences now are much more comfortable than before the weight loss. I never felt that I intruded upon the space of the person seated next to me, but truly felt uncomfortable leaning away from the middle seat, or being continuously bumped by the serving carts that rolled by. The reality is that the seats are too small anyway, and personal space just doesn't exist. But the few times I was seated next to an individual that was much heavier than I ever was, I truly felt like I may as well have had someone literally sitting on my lap the entire flight. Personally, this issue may necessitate charging significantly obese individuals for two seats.

Posted By Germaine Key on February 4, 2008, 12:57 PM

Lets get real here. When I fly I do not expect to be swaddled in an obese person's fat roll. When I pay for a seat, I expect to have all the room this entails without being encroached upon. Think of people like carry ons. If you wont fit in the bin, you wont go in the bin. First and foremost, obese people need to lose weight for their own health, and to avoid being a burden on the health care system. Short of that, they need to pay for ALL the space they take up, even if that means buying another seat to accomodate themselves.

Posted By Mike on February 4, 2008, 12:57 PM

First and foremost, all humans are to be treated with respect.

Now, airline passenger space is partitioned into seats with certain dimensions. That is unlikely to change due to economic factors, ie the bottom line.

Weight and SIZE are two different arguments. The main concern is of one person exceeding the space of their own seat and occupying that of a fellow traveler. If for safety reasons all passengers are prohibited from blocking the free egress of other passengers by obstructing the floor in a row and even requiring that trays be stowed away in an upright position for take offs and landings then this should naturally be a safety concern when involving individuals that exceed these limits be it for width or leg length.

Solution- reserve the front bulkhead seats for said individuals. No discrimination, just safety and comfort for all involved.

Remember the Golden Rule, treat others as you would like to be treated.

Safe and HAPPY flying!

Posted By Carlos on February 4, 2008, 12:58 PM

These comments posted here are very sad. Shame on those of you who live without compassion for others. Think of a situation you were in where you inconvenienced someone and could not help it.

Posted By Darla S on February 4, 2008, 12:59 PM

Let's look at this issue with a neutral prospective, without identifying oneself as obese or non-obese. Recently, I took a car ferry from Vancouver Island to Washington state. The ferry charged me more than a car because I had a truck which used up more space. Therefore, in fact, I was charged more and given more space for my truck. In the transportaion industry, space or weight, is the usual standard. I believe obese people should be charged more, but they should be given more space. It would not be too hard to install convertable seats that would allow three seats to convert into two seats which would accommodate two large people. Just as they check and weigh our luggage, it would not be too difficult to ask the over size passengers to step up on a scale and if they tip past 275 pounds, they would be required to pay the extra charge and, in fact, be given more space. Please provide feedback to my idea.

Posted By Robert on February 4, 2008, 1:01 PM

If the airlines don't take the initiative to solve this "growing" problem to the satisfaction of all of their customers, then it'll be just a matter of time before our Congress is forced to get involved, especially as airfares and the obesity rate continue to rise. No passenger should have to give up one inch of their already miniscule economy seating space to anyone else. So airlines....listen up....I recommend you solve the problem before a solution gets mandated to you.

Posted By Travis Jardon on February 4, 2008, 1:02 PM

My daughter and I were traveling from Newark to LAX and had to endure an extremely obese woman on the end seat, she 'did' have the arm rest down, but 'still' spilled over below and above so much, that my daughter had only 1/2 her seat available to her, thereby the two of us were squeezed into each other. It was horrible! The flight was full, and there was nothing they could do. I too agree that they should pay extra for taking up extra seating space, or the airlines should have a few oversized seats available at additional cost to them. It's not fair to the rest of us, because these people don't have any control over their eating habits. As an additional note, whatever you do..don't book your flight when a 'cruise tour group' is also on board..you will REALLY be in trouble! It's like traveling with the 'Biggest Loser' Group..eeek!

Posted By Dolores Giorgio on February 4, 2008, 1:06 PM

I try hard to be aware of how I might impact the person sitting next me -- WAY more than, when I was younger and smaller, older males who claimed the armrest like it was their birthright. My size has fluctuated greatly in the 30 years -- but my discomfort while flying hasn't. If you guarentee me my extra seat (and see the comments above about how well that happens), then I can see it. But I don't see the airlines guarenteeing me my extra seat.

Posted By jmg on February 4, 2008, 1:06 PM

From a big and tall gal ~ I wish there was consistency in seats from plane to plane and airline to airline. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect a twin engine beaver to have the same seat capacity as a 747 – but a 737 to DC 10 to 767 – there should be some, and from Delta to Delta, the seats always vary.

There are times I have room for my legs (I too have long legs) and times where I'm praying the person in front of me doesn't lean back because I'm already knee deep into their seat. I have been moved in seats for a taller person – but they only went by height – my thigh bone was definitely much longer. (They had the long torso and I happy to be more leggy). So – where was the equity in this?

Then, there is the width problem. I'm definitely LARGE. I’ve gotten the look once or twice from someone (luckily only that many times) who had to sit next to me. I have not extended over into their seat, but I have definitely had a bruise on my hips/legs after the flight from the armrest. I have had to use a seat belt extender two times (and not necessarily during the same trips, one leg yes - one leg no). So, I never know. I always hope that no one is next to me, or maybe I get an emergency or bulkhead row - but that's more for leg room. I am disabled (not counting obesity) and have to have leg room. (Medically and legally I have two compensable disabilities that severely affect my mobility and joints).

So, while I cannot afford first class, I can afford economy plus on some trips - but then the plane will not have a difference once I get on board. I don’t get a refund either, they say I am getting a better row assignment. I don't care what row I am in - by the bathroom or smelling first class cuisine - I'm paying for a larger seat and/or more leg room and half the time I don't get it. I just get closer to the exit. So, I would like consistency. And, I've sat next to plenty of rude skinny or in shape people too. Taking up the arm rest, bumping me (and believe me, like some others, when I sit, I don't move, I try to not even breathe in the other person's direction so I don't bother them. I also have the people who don’t mind coughing or sneezing in my direction – but I don’t do that back. And, the smokers – (I’m allergic) – do you have to reek of it when you get on the plane?

Would it help if I wore an “I’m disabled, honest. Please don’t hate me because I’m large. I chose the medication that made me heavier so that I could walk. And, please don’t sneeze on me, my immune system is compromised so that I can continue to move at all.” (I won’t even get into the flight attendants that are horribly mean to some guests and not mean to others. I could handle it if they were an all around jerk, but discriminators piss me off). And, no, I do not think thinner people should suffer by losing any of their seat to someone who is larger, but I also think all could be nicer. The armrest isn’t yours. It is to share. The leg room, limiting as it is, is mine. Please don’t sit with your legs so wide apart that they keep hitting mine (it actually hurts me because of my disability). Should these people be punished also? (In a lot of the points I am making, I’m referring to the few jerks, not those that actually need accommodations). I don’t mind you putting the trash on my tray. I don’t mind when you occasionally fall asleep and your head bobs onto my shoulder (unless you drool or smell). I’m actually pretty decent to sit next to, I’ll talk or not talk – up to you. My fat doesn’t seep over onto you or your seat, but I would venture to say it has at times taken up almost my half of the armrest (but it is ours to share, isn’t it?).

And yes, to the person who said seats haven’t shrunk – they have. I’ve been flying 40 years – lots of places. Seats vary. I was on an old plane in January and was very happy that I had leg room and butt room and it was cheapo economy. I kept hoping to catch the same plane home. I hope I never cause a problem by my taking up someone else’s seat – but I also hope I don’t have to sit next to some of the people who have written some terribly ugly comments on here. Not all obese people sweat or smell. I guarantee I don’t smell. I’ve been next to my fair share of thin, sweaty, stinky people. And, not all of us have a problem with the fork in our mouth.

I have no idea what the compromise is. I am sure if they had some larger seats, that there would then be a problem of “I’m larger than he/she is” or something like this. Or the skinny person wanting a larger seat for any number of reasons (legitimate and otherwise). Even at my thinner weight I’m still large, still have wide shoulders/hips and still have long legs, bones are bones. To reiterate, I would definitely pay more for more legroom/butt room – but want to be guaranteed I would get exactly that, not just a better row.

Posted By Denise Henderson on February 4, 2008, 1:11 PM

I personally have problems fitting in the seats and I am not considered obese, but I do have fairly broad shoulders. My dad used to bug me about looking like a linebacker, so I do everything I can to take up as little space as possible, on or off a plane, but when I can't afford a business class seat, I'm miserable.

I think airlines need to start making larger seats for everyone. Right now they are more interested in how many people they can cram on a plane instead of actually paying attention to the comfort level. If they made all the seats slightly larger, and then a person still took up more than their allotted space, then sure we should charge them for it.

Posted By Elizabeth Mays on February 4, 2008, 1:13 PM

Airlines restrict weight and charge extra for excess, simply because it costs more to handle it--and to pay for the extra fuel. Why should not overweight people be different? As a frequent traveler, I have the option to sit in escape rows, etc., but all too often recently the airlines have put the huge passengers in these seats, even though they are no wider than the regular seats. I agree with someone who said wider coach seats, at a premium, should be available, and I suspect people would pay for them for comfort's sake.

Posted By Andrew M. Johnson on February 4, 2008, 1:13 PM

Please, be realistic here. If you put an arbitrary obese or weight fee making passengers pay for an extra seat, then tall passengers will also have that problem. My husband is 6'2" and 250 lbs. He's not considered obese, but if the airline arbitrarily decided that passengers 250 lbs and more had to pay for an extra seat, we would not be able to afford to travel. Alternatively, does each gate agent get to decide who is obese and who's not based on their personal opinion? Where is the line drawn?

The 2-seat rows with each passenger in that row paying for the extra 50% of the middle seat if they want to would be the best option here (as opposed to an entire extra fare). If you are obese and know you will take up more then one seat, you should purchase the upgrade. However, if you are tiny but want to make sure no one (Tall, obese, smelly, loud, etc.) interrupts your comfort on a flight, you should also purchase the upgrade and stop complaining.

It's obvious that a lot of comments here are from people who have never had to deal with being obese and the daily struggle it causes. For many people it's due to genetics, and even a strict diet with regular exercise won't guarantee that you can become as thin as others think you should be. Some of the comments are absolutely disgusting and show no compassion for others.

Posted By Michelle M on February 4, 2008, 1:13 PM

what a silly question!!!!
the answer is simple: if one can pay extra charges weekly to support a larger than standard size buttocks, then one should also pay the extra charges to temporarily "stow" this ample accrual of extra flesh during transport...

this is not a case of discrimination, but of practicality...passengers are routinely charged fees for their over stuffed luggage...and..are not allowed to "carry" their supposed "carry -on " if it is larger than the alloted dimensions...this is merely a matter of the locale of the excess size and weight that is being transported....

extra "baggage" =extra cost...

Posted By catherine, not a skinny...nor a fatty on February 4, 2008, 1:14 PM

My husband slides somewhat into the next seat...luckily he doesn't have a job where he is confonted with the problem of putting someone else partially out of their seat and him being squashed. What we do when traveling to Europe every year is first of all: we book early and get an aisle seat for him and I take the middle seat --hoping another large person isn't sitting on the other side of me by the window. So far, that hasn't happened. He has to have the arm rest up to be comfortable which is okay with me, but I could understand how others would get upset with this situation when they, too, paid for their ticket. Wouldn't it be nice if the seats were a little wider as most people are crammed in the already tight seats, but I doubt if that will happen to soon. Although the new larger air bus type planes have wider seating then they have in some of the smaller planes.

Posted By karen on February 4, 2008, 1:14 PM

I think the airlines who want to squeeze as many seats as possible into the plane needs to evaluate what is the rigt size seat,for most of the people. I find there is not enough room for a normal size person to be comfortable on a long flight. I often do not move the whole flight as the people are crammed everywhere and trying to no avail to stand and move about.These days nearly all the flights are full so not moving is not good healthwise, for older people or overweight perople or thin people. Give the cattle more room and bigger seats if you care about everybody on the plane not just the wealthy.

Posted By Sheila Wunder on February 4, 2008, 1:18 PM

I have sat next to heavy/obese people before on many many flights. I notice they are super paranoid about invading my seat and try very hard not to. Average sized ignorant people bother me more. I fly everywhere for business and am constantly leaned on by Jane and John Doe. Also women with all the bags they can carry and magazines and crap. Do not get me started on your children and how THEY have the right to have toys, half eaten cookies and crap all over me as well. If obese should buy second seat so should people with kids and keep them in car seat or on your lap not mine. Oh and if you all can't keep your shoes on and insist on taking them off, buy odor eaters. I truly believe the obese people are more aware than the rest. I fly an average of 10x a month roundtrip.This I know.

Posted By Lorraine on February 4, 2008, 1:18 PM

Airline seats have shrunken in size over the years, and most people would enjoy travel more with greater leg room and seat girth. That doesn't diminish the responsibility of obese individuals to pay for what they require and end up taking from the rest of us. I agree with the suggestions to have some premium coach space that would better accomodate large people. I don't want to be punitive, only practical. In buying furniture, I have to pay a premium to find a sofa or chair that fits my petite stature, and I must often alter clothing to shorten sleeves and skirts or pant legs. We are not all one size, and we must pay to have things fit properly.

Posted By Carol on February 4, 2008, 1:19 PM

I'm sorry for the physical and mental stress obese people go through. I work constantly on maintaining a health weight (constant food monitoring, daily 3 mile runs) so I know it's hard. But I do not pay $300+ dollars for a seat on an airplane to have it half occupied by an obese individual. You are buying a SEAT on a plane. If you take up more than one seat, you must be prepared to pay for two. Period. We have gotten so PC in this country we're afraid to speak up for fear of offending someone and risking a lawsuit. Wake up! Yes, the airlines have made seats smaller - it's a business. If you know you aren't going to fit in one seat, either buy two, lose weight, or find another means of travel. When do the rights of those of us who do fit in one seat get addressed?

Posted By B Hart on February 4, 2008, 1:19 PM

Gosh! Now I realize what an invaluable service I perform by being fat! I give all you smug self-righteous characters someone to demean and feel superior to. I'll try to keep that perspective as I ride my bike or walk and listen to you folks drive by and shout insults and throw garbage at me.

Posted By Caroline on February 4, 2008, 1:25 PM

I think the responsibility lies with both parties. Ont he airlines side, they have indeed slowly shrunken the amount of space available for even a midsize person. I am a 5'8 woman of normal weight and I am physically uncomfortable either by width of seat, or leg room on many flights. There is a health issue here that the airlines should have to address. It is not only not healthy, but unsafe to have people strapped in such contraptions as considered seats. Yes you can move around, maybe, depending on the turbulence and the width of the isle. You can't even stand anywhere on most flights because you are either blocking the restroom or the flight attendent. DVT which can be fatal is a serious possiblity. You can't even move your legs in your seat anymore. SouthWest is a good example. The seat sizes for everyone should reverse significantly for all people. Most tall people and larger-girthed people would be greatly relieved along with the rest of us. First Class will remain first class because you recline and of course have a better meal and hot towels to wipe you fingers.....
Then after a point it does become the responsiblity also of the person. Having a row or two of plus-sized seats also could benefit everyone. They could be charged at a higher premium, though not nearly as costly as Buisness or First, perhaps even slightly less than United's Economy Plus. If know one uses them they could be given away (to people who don't ask) and would make some unsuspecting customers mightly happy, thus increasing return revenue. Airlines do have to contend with higher fuel prices just like the rest of us, but ultimately they have to contend with unhappy customers who end up flying with someone else. I believe you could make everyone much happier even if the situation is not perfect.

Posted By Jill W. Lowry on February 4, 2008, 1:26 PM

Airlines are out to make money - I don't blame them, and so make the seats as compact as possible to utilze the space for more seats. People know how big the seats are, and have the option of buying super economy and up, two economy seats, lose weight and buy one, or drive. That's the reality of it.

Posted By vanessa on February 4, 2008, 1:27 PM

1. How do you define obese? I'm 6'2" and weigh 280, but I am a very muscular person. People consistently guess my weight as 200 - 210. I don't overflow from my seat, but I would probably be classified as obese by a height/weight chart.
2. Obesity is a choice for most people. Prove you have a medical condition or pay extra.

Posted By Frank on February 4, 2008, 1:28 PM

In my opinion the obese passengers should not be discriminate .The seats in the air plans are way to small for little over average size not to say for bigger passengers. The seats should be at least 21" wide and have more leg room. Rite now we have to squeeze our body and if the flight is overseas , suffer for many hours and steal paid high ticket prices. I hope this type o situations will change for better very soon and the air lines make our flights as pleasure as possible..

Posted By Richard on February 4, 2008, 1:30 PM

Come on people there are too many prejudice people out there. I am a bigger person that does fit into an airplane seat. Is it my choice to be big? No. Do I eat a lot? No, actually I do not eat enough. Did I gain the weight because I ate too much? No, I was put on medication that makes me gain weight. You add bigger seats to the airplane and you are going to see skinny people in them. Give me a break and stop telling me that all bigger people eat too much.

Posted By Georgia on February 4, 2008, 1:32 PM

I can't believe some of the ignorant and prejudiced comments I have read on here. Yes, obesity is a choice for some people because they are unable or unwilling to stop eating, but that's not the case for everyone. I consider myself to be overweight but not so much that I spill over into the seats next to me. I compensate for it by choosing aisle seats and flying with airlines who offer larger seats, such as Southwest or American Airlines. Even when I was a size 6, I had all I could do to fit into the seats on Delta or US Airways flights! But regardless of whether or not obesity is a choice, airlines need to recognize that there is a problem and react accordingly. Asking people to purchase additional seats and then not allowing them to actually utilize that space is fraudulent in my eyes.

Posted By Keri on February 4, 2008, 1:32 PM

I am obese but working on losing weight and have lost 30 pounds so far. I always book an aisle seat on an airplane which gives me a little extra room. You don't ever need to get stuck in a middle seat and make everyone miserable. Get an aisle seat!

Posted By J. Williams on February 4, 2008, 1:32 PM

Airlines offer larger seats in first class. People of all sizes pay extra for more room and extra benefits in first class. Perhaps the airlines should offer larger seats in economy class at an increased price. Normal sized people have to pay extra if their luggage is over weight yet obese people who weigh twice or more than a normal weight travel for the same fare. Consequently, I don’t think it would be unfair to charge an obese person extra for a larger seat if they are taking up more space and adding extra weight. Airlines are a business not a charity. If the airlines are mandated to accommodate obese passengers, then they should address this issue in some manner that does not inconvenience me by allowing them to overlap into my seat.

Posted By Ginger Cole on February 4, 2008, 1:33 PM

One pays more for:
-Excess Baggage
-Large shoes
-Large clothes
-Large Meals
-Smoking
-Large autos
-Large homes
-Large parcel shipments
-Disability management
-On and on

Should I eat too much, I expect to pay more. Have you ever seen an overweight POW and those in death-camps? No food means no fat.

And, airlines sometimes fly aircraft over gross weight limits because the old FAA standard per passenger no longer applies. Not good.

If one "uses" something, they should pay for it... that goes for all seats too. I fly alot, and I am spring-loaded to get off if someone is taking too much of the space I paid to enjoy... almost did it on Delta last month.

Solution: "diet"!

Posted By J. M. Gambill on February 4, 2008, 1:33 PM

while having some extra larger seats on the planes at a slightly higher price for that section does seem like a viable option, it doesn't address the fact that all airlines currently have fixed fleets, including many airplanes that have been in the air for years and aren't due to be retired for many more. The cost of taking these planes out of service and retrofitting them is prohibitively expensive, which is going to drive up everyone's ticket price, not just the tickets of those who are overweight. Having flown extensively internationally, I can tell you that the two-seat issue is almost exclusively an American problem. It does not make good economic sense for the aviation industry to radically alter plane designs for an issue that only exists in one part of the world (though the exportation of our lifestyle is causing rising obesity in the UK and other places). The vast majority of overweight Americans need to accept that obesity is due to their environment and lifestyle and stop treating themselves as genetically unlucky or disabled. Very, very few people have "glandular" problems that cause that kind of obesity. For everyone else, get out of the car, up from in front of the TV and stop eating such huge portions and so much sugar, you'd be amazed how quickly the weight comes off. There's no reason why anyone should pay more for a problem that has it's roots in overconsumption to begin with - try treating the problem by eating and spending less.

Posted By kristin on February 4, 2008, 1:34 PM

There is a lot of prejudice against overweight people. You can see it in all the comments above. Who seriously believes that if it was THAT easy to lose weight, we would all be skinny? Fat people do not WANT to be overweight - do people honestly believe that obese people would choose to be ostracized by others in society, to be ridiculed, to be embarrassed when they can't fit into public seating (be it theater, bus or airplane), to struggle to find clothing that fits, to be looked down upon and treated poorly because of their physical features?

There's a variety of reasons that people are fat. Yes, sometimes it's due to eat too much/exercise too little. Sometimes it's disease. Sometimes it's poor health. And sometimes - often - it's due to the fact that our food sources are loaded with sugars, fats and a wide variety of chemical additives that are affecting our bodies in ways we barely have begun to understand.

I can tell you from experience that I have struggled against all my life. Even when I was in high school, playing 3 very active varsity sports a year and eating "right", I couldn't get my weight down. As an adult, it is something I struggle against constantly, and the barrage of media showing "non-existant is sexy" and the social stigmatism against fat people doesn't help.

I have been flying for nearly 30 years and have seen a lot of changes go into the industry.

Like everywhere, the airlines are profit-driven; this is no surprise. But airlines have, over the years, shaved more and more room off economy-class seats - a quarter inch here, a half inch there, while taking away the "perks" one by one (meals, drinks, refreshment packs, etc). Meanwhile - business and first class - the echelon of business travelers and the true cash-cows of the industry - get more and more space dedicated to them, and some of the top-end first class amenities are so amazing it's practically in the realm of "so awesome, you forget you're flying public transportation".

Don't get me wrong; I've flown business or first class when my budget (or frequent flyer miles) have allowed it, and I cherished every single moment.

And it is not simply overweight people who have to deal with these magically-shrinking seats; it is pregnant women and disabled people and tall people. My brother is 6'2" and as fit as he can be, but he's almost always uncomfortable in coach because there's simply no leg room anymore. (Anybody remember People's Express? We flew that once and he couldn't even put his tray down any more than 1/3 of the way).

What's really unfortunate is that people who are sitting in aisle seats cannot put up the armrest of the aisle side (they'll be told they're "blocking the aisle"), and those sitting against the window cannot put up the armrest next to the window, either. (I'm curious to know... just how much leg pressure affects an airline?) So when people sitting in either of these seats need a little more room, it's either squish the person in the middle seat, or cram yourself up into as small a space as possible and hope you aren't delayed too much.

Do you know how embarrassing it is to have the flight attendant come around with drinks or a meal, and you can't even put your tray down over your lap? That affects not only fat people but pregnant women as well! That's a design flaw, one easily remedied, but which nobody chooses to do anything about.

Let's not even get into airline bathrooms, which have shrunk and shrunk over the years. I want to assume that this is to prevent people from doing the "mile-high club" thing, but honestly, why are airline bathrooms designed so the only ones who can efficiently use them are men? If you're a woman, even a thin one, it's getting to be a squeeze to sit down and do what one needs to do.

I'm in support of making a few rows in economy of each plane be suitable for plus-sized customers. But here's the problem with the idea of larger economy-sized seats for those who genuinely, physically need them (obese; pregnant; or physically disabled): if they're the same price or even just a little bit more than the rest of the economy seats (let's say a $50 fee over whatever lowest fare you choose to pay), what's the stop people who don't physically require the extra space, but who simply want the extra space so they get a "business-sized seat at economy costs" from gobbling up those seats? I know that I would be pretty ticked off to be told that the "plus-size economy" seats were "sold out" only to get on the plane and see people who clearly did not require the extra space sitting there.

So what, then? Would travelers be required to register to wear a little round badge, signaling to the world that they have the right to those seats?

And if that's the case, then why not have rows for the extra-skinny? If you're size 2, then you can pay less and sit in a smaller seat. Fair's fair, right?

Posted By Melime on February 4, 2008, 1:35 PM

I am not an attorney but I belive when a airline offers a seat for sale that is the price. I think
that it is unfair for a person to show up and then be assesed a extra fee. It is an unfair practice. I believe that they could ask your weight when you purchase the ticket and asses the fee when they ticket you.

Posted By C. A. Terwilliger on February 4, 2008, 1:37 PM

I have had the unfortunate luck to be in a middle seat between two very large individuals on a plane where there were no empty seats to which I could move. While I believe that everyone should be able to fly, I also believe that grossly obese people should be charged for the space they occupy whether it be one and half or two seats. Requiring individuals over a certain weight or girth measurement to so state should be made part of the ticketing process so that airlines would know how many seats will be occupied. If the passenger fails to comply with the requirement and shows up for the flight they should not be allowed on the plane. I know that that will create some problems and some people will scream discrimination but what about the poor passenger that has to suffer through two or more hours with little room to move or breathe.

Posted By John Riconda on February 4, 2008, 1:37 PM

It's a matter of common sense. One seat paid, one seat used. It should apply to all.

Posted By Johannes on February 4, 2008, 1:42 PM

How about seating the obese together? Collect body weight info when ticketing, and sit the obese in the same rows (make sure to avoid unbalancing the plane). That way, they can deal with it together. If you have unmatched rows, offer compensation to (normal weight) people who volunteer to sit next to an obese person, in exchange for the discomfort and inconvenience.

Posted By M. Villasin on February 4, 2008, 1:44 PM

Sadly, our ability as a county to govern ourselves is going to cause a 2nd party to do it for us. If you are obese and take up more than one seat, be considerate to your fellow traveler and buy two.
It's that simple - be considerate.

Posted By John on February 4, 2008, 1:45 PM

While I have compassion for obese people, it isn't fair to other paying passengers to have someone invading their already minimal space. I once had the dreaded middle seat on a trip from LA to LONDON. I was between two overweight people in an already uncomfortable seat. It was painfully miserable. I'm all for airlines having a few rows of plus-sized seats at a slightly higher price. A predetermined minimum weight (so others wouldn't take advantage in order to get a larger seat for less than 1st Class prices) would require these seats to ensure everyone's comfort.

Posted By J Batson on February 4, 2008, 1:45 PM

Wow, this is a sensitive and passionate issue. I'm a plus sized gal, working on getting it off but don't bleed over into another's seat. However I have had it happen to me. I had hip surgery and as anyone who has had it knows it doesn't take much to pop that thing out and when you do, it requires another surgery. I had the bulkhead isle seat and the middle and window seat were taken up by ONE person! They had to give her 5 extentions so the seatbelt would fit, she seemed totally undisturbed by the fact she should have had my seat too. I begged to be let off the plane or moved but the flight was 100% full and I was told it was too late to deplane even though the door was still open. I got up and stood as much as I could at the first part of the flight but we had turbulance and I had to attmempt to fit into what was left of my seat. She was on the bad-hip side of me and went to sleep. Her arms were bigger than my thighs so when she shifted her weight she crushed my hip and me. I screamed in pain and was told to be quiet by the flight attendants. I endured this for what seemed to be forever, crying quietly because the flight attendants told me to be quiet, hours later when we landed I had to be taken off the plane by ambulance and had to have another hip replacement surgery, had several blood clots in my leg from being PINNED under her and my ribs were cracked. I spent a month in the hospital recovering, years of therapy and still not the same. I sued the airline because they refused to allow me to exit the plane (there was time believe me) and thus put my safety and wellbeing in danger. But that will never ever make up for the damage to my body, the pain I had to endure then and now and the fact one leg is shorter than the other so I can no longer run or hike like I used to. She did not pay but for one seat but took up 3 really. Was that fair? No! I paid for my seat and I want 100% of my seat! Not 90%, and in this case certainly not 10%! They are appealing the case but they KNEW she was not a tall person of muscular build she was not much taller than me, she was just big. I understand taller people need the leg room and I have traded seats with them, being sensitive to the fact they can't help being tall. I don't know how the airlines will address this; taking ones body mass is not the way nor weighing people.

I now pay extra to fly business or use miles to bump up first class and insist on the isle that is on the side of my bad hip. Otherwise, I don't go.

Posted By Veronica on February 4, 2008, 1:48 PM

The fault is with the airlines. Americans keep getting bigger and taller and the seats keep getting smaller with less legroom. I am tall and female and am always terribly uncomfortable when I fly. I don't see how men who are usually larger and taller tolerate it, let alone fat people.
The bottom line is GREED. Flying has become on a par with cross-country bus travel. Not one iota of "class" left in the experience.

Posted By Linda on February 4, 2008, 1:48 PM

Smokers can't smoke on a plane (an addiction). Folks with overweight luggage have to pay a large amount of money for the weight. Why should an obese person (the result of a food addiction) get away with their fat for no charge and inconvenience passengers around them, or create a new seating class and let them and the screaming babies entertain each other. AS baby would fit in the seat next to one of these large people

Posted By Ardie on February 4, 2008, 1:52 PM

I weigh 145 pounds, so I do not face discrimination for being big. However, I believe that the last "legal" discrimination existing in this country is against the overweight. The attitude is "you are that way because you are weak". Wrong. Dead wrong. I know several obese people and none of them want to be that way. Most of them have tried every diet and weight loss scam advertised on TV, to no avail. Some are even having surgery to try to reduce their size.

Don't make it worse for them. I believe they should get the same "reasonable accomodation" as those in wheel chairs or with oxygen tanks.

Southwest Airlines is probably the worse offender in singling out the obese for redicule. Their gate agents can stop anyone they want and not let them board without buying another ticket.

As others above have pointed out, the major problem lies with the airlines. Over the years their seats have shrunk and shrunk while the size of people has grown and grown.

Posted By Ramon on February 4, 2008, 1:53 PM

I like Southwest Airlines' solution-- those obese enough to need 2 seats need to purchase them.

If there are empty seats on the plane, the cost of the second seat is refunded.

If not, both the obese person and her/his neighbors are spared discomfort and embarrassment.

Posted By Honey Ward on February 4, 2008, 1:53 PM

I cannot believe there is not one comment on here about the fact that some people who are considered legally obese are that way due to genetics...not just overeating! I know many thin people who eat like cows and whatever they want and never gain a pound. Everyone is different in some way, short, tall, fat, skinny, pretty, ugly.... tolerance and consideration is what we all need. The airlines should make their seats to accommodate the majority of the population which are generally overweight and those that are excessively overweight, know their situation and pay for extra seat or 1st class. It's not right for them to disrespect others rights to their full seat.

Posted By Mona on February 4, 2008, 1:56 PM

I'm astounded to learn that persons purchasing 2 seats have had their careful and considerate plans undone by airlines wanting to squeeze in one more fare. When this happens, each of the 3 people packed into a row deserves a total refund -- that would be 4 free fares, and it might make the airline pay attention. I think it's clear from this conversation that most large people would pay a fair ratio of extra fare for extra space, short of the 300 or 400% premium for first class, if such seating were available. Even the harshest of the comments above have concluded that airlines should have some larger seats to sell. That's where the solution has to begin. Honestly, if all coach configurations went from ABC DEF to AB CD, and average fares rose proportionately from $250 to $375, we would all still fly. Please don't say Congress has to get involved to make this happen!

Posted By P.S. Bailey on February 4, 2008, 1:56 PM

The fault is with the airlines. Americans keep getting bigger and taller and the seats keep getting smaller with less legroom. I am tall and female and am always terribly uncomfortable when I fly. I don't see how men who are usually larger and taller tolerate it, let alone fat people.
The bottom line is GREED. Flying has become on a par with cross-country bus travel. Not one iota of "class" left in the experience.

Posted By Linda on February 4, 2008, 1:57 PM

I was 400 lbs. I tried to get Delta to let me buy 3 tickets for my wife and myself. They would not.
All I wanted was for it to count as two three tickets for the purpose of frequent flyer. If they had extra need for my tickets because of overbooking, then they could upgrade us to first class. It seemed like a win win situation. I would pay extra for the room and they would receive extra for the same amount of weight they were carrying. This sounds reasonable. It sounds like a way to make extra money for nothing. This is probably why Delta had so much financial troubles. These executives make so much money, they don't care about anyone else. By the way, I now weigh 220 lbs. Maybe one of these days, the executives would care to sit next to a person like I was.

Posted By Jim on February 4, 2008, 1:58 PM

Airplane safety can be compromised by too much weight; this is a fact and there are FAA regulations that pilots and airlines have to follow. Especially with today's smaller, regional planes, the plane cannot be overweight when it leaves the gate. This is why airlines are so concerned about so many overweight suitcases today and you have to pay extra for them. I was recently on a flight where several standy passengers had to be turned away because too many students returning to college had brought overweight bags and paid the fee. There were EMPTY SEATS on that plane and I needed to get on it because of a death in the family. I was allowed on WITHOUT my suitcase, due to persistence and, I am convinced, because I am petite. That gate agent looked me up and down and I volunteered my weight because I knew he was thinking "maybe I can let her on". Clearly, weight IS an issue and it's not just about comfort. The airlines are responsible for the weight they allow onboard and they will have to come up with a way to deal with this effectively and proactively, so passengers aren't left at the gate. For this reason, a weight limit MAY be a reasonable approach. The FAA does not impose SIZE limits and weight may be the only thing they can use to objectively place limits.I know there are situations where obesity is due to genetic or other heatlh conditions but the overwhelming majority of obese Americans allow themselves to ve so. It is all over the news how we have an epidemic of obesity in America. If you travel to Europe or Asia you will not see a lot of obese people. This is about Americans choosing excess and McDonalds. I think the airlines should set a reasonable weight limit and charge for the seat next to those over the limit, just like they do with the baggage. Sorry, but on a plane, weight is weight, it doesn't matter what it comes from.

Posted By Mary on February 4, 2008, 2:00 PM

I wouls agree that the airlines should have oversized seats that would accomadate an obese preson. They could charge a little more than one coach but less than two cvoach seats.
As we have become an obese nation(my self include) these appears to be an ongoing problem.
As for Cindy loosing her paid for seat ,she should have been reimbursed as she was "BUMPED"

Posted By Basil on February 4, 2008, 2:02 PM

I too am heavier person and I am embarrassed in such small seats and do hate to fly US flights. I would certainly opt to pay a bit extra for larger seats if they were available and I certainly am happy for those that can "opt for healthier life styles" or enjoy being thin. But I won't be a skinny minnie if it comes with that attitude. I do feel sorry fortall people too trying to fly--at least headroom is not a problem for me (only 5ft 2)

Posted By Linda Bennett on February 4, 2008, 2:03 PM

I think if you take up more than one seat, pay for it. If you paid for 2 seats, dont give them up to encroachers either. But ThANK YOU to all the obese people who are at least CONSIDERATE of the folks next to them! Good manners can go a long way!
But at some time it has to come down to weight issue/fuel costs and safety. If you've ever flown in general aviation, there is a weigh limit or the plane cant get off the ground. Everything has its limits including commercial jets.

Posted By Janet on February 4, 2008, 2:03 PM

1st: the airlines keep shrinking the seat size and leg room, then charging us extra for what was once a "normal" seat.

2nd: I am not overweight and I'm 5'9" but even I find the usual seats too small.

3rd: the best thing I ever saw as to an overweight person on NWA -- a very large woman was in the center seat and a very small man was on the aisle. The man was very gracious and kind to the very obese woman who was squishing him into about 1/2 a seat. After the plane doors closed the flight attendent beckoned to the man and moved HIM to 1st class! Now THAT was classy!

Posted By Judy on February 4, 2008, 2:05 PM

Listen, this is a simple issue people. If the airline order wider seats with more legroom this would not be a problem. If you do not know airplanes are configured to client's ie. airlines specifications. They could make flying more comfortable but CHOSE not to do so because they want to pack as many bodies in as possible for higher profits. I have refused to pay for 2 seats this is ridiculous! I do not know if any of you are aware but all planes could be retrofitted to be more comfortable as we speak but that costs MONEY and the airlines are hanging on by a wing and a prayer, pun intended! We need federal intervention people to address far greater problems with flying like long delays, near misses and crashes and an outdated FAA tracking system. Let's get some perspective here. However if you want your flying experience to me more comfortable you better be prepared to pay for it. So if your on a discounted ticket you should be glad they pass you those stale peanuts! This is the cold harsh reality. Until it gets worse or there are more crashes nothing will be done. Welcome to the UNfriendly skies!

Posted By Flying Fatty on February 4, 2008, 2:10 PM

First let me say I am 120lbs and am 5'0" tall so I am not obese nor am I tall. It is not appropriate for airlines to charge people extra because they are not skinny or short. It is up to the airlines who make their living transporting passengers to and from destinations to accommodate them. That is the service they are providing whether they are short, tall, skinny or obese. In addition, I too have been uncomfortable in such tight quarters because airlines have cut seat size and leg room size just to squeeze in more seats so they can make more money on the additional seats. No matter how you look at the situation they are giving you less quality for the same amount of money (if not charging you more money for less). Years ago there was plenty of room for everyone -- what happened. In addition, why should only the elite passengers who can afford first class seats be comfortable. It is discrimination to charge more plain and simple.

Posted By Martha Rubino on February 4, 2008, 2:11 PM

I think that following a policy of having someone who is grossly obese pay for 2 seats is a fair policy. I also think providing a few extra size seats (at a different price) would be a workable solution. I spent an entire cross country flight standing in the rear galley of a plane because the man seated next to me was so grossly overweight I couldn't move my arms at all. He was using several belt extenders. There were no empty seats to move to. The flight attendants were sympathetic. They apologized for the problem and let me stay in the galley as there was nowhere to move. I stood the entire flight, reading my book. I only returned to my seat for the landing. The man who was the cause of my "inconvenience" was oblivious to the problem. I almost think he deliberately took over more than 50% of my seat to try to get me to move and leave him free to fully occupy both seats.

Posted By Georgia 2 on February 4, 2008, 2:16 PM

We haven't even begun to address the unfairness regarding checked luggage. I believe everyone should be given an X pound allowance. If you want your allowance to be taken up by your girth then so be it. I, however, do not appreciate getting charged a $50 overweight fee when my bag is 10 pounds over, yet I weigh 110 pounds. That person sitting next to me and using half my seat, weighing in over 300 pounds was already granted free excessive luggage of the belly. They should be charged for excessive weight if they charge me for excessive weight of luggage.

Posted By Kara B on February 4, 2008, 2:16 PM

No one wants to be uncomfortable when they fly. Larger seats would be nice but with today's trents, that is clearly not going to happen. If a person has to buy 2 seats then airline personnel should enforce their space. It seems that people who have been considerate enough to buy 2 seats have been burned. We need to go back to a time when airlines treated customers like people and not a herd of cattle to be crammed in at all costs. Without having a weight restriction and weighing every person before their flight how do those of you harsh ones expect the surcharge to be enforced? Speaking of harsh, can we have a stupidity surcharge as well? What is an "epedemy"? If you are going to be mean at least be smart about it. Throwing in "thus" does not make you intelligent. You know who you are.

Posted By Sandra on February 4, 2008, 2:17 PM

Anytime you ship a package, you are charged by weight and/or volume. The same should apply to shipping yourself. It's a simple calculation. Of course that would mean 'weighing in' at the airport because people are prone to fibbing about their real weight, myself included. But you've already got your shoes off anyway, why not just install a scale under the metal detector (or something like that!)

Posted By Chris on February 4, 2008, 2:20 PM

No, I don't think obese people should be charged any extra. They're already discriminated in the workplace beyond all measure...they're often simply not hired, and when they are hired, they're usually paid less than their counterparts. So, since they are already often economically disadvantaged, paying them a surcharge for their plight is completely unjust. If you charge the overweight extra, then you have to charge smokers too. Sure, the smokers don't smoke on the plane, but their breath is often bad enough to knock me out...and they're breathing out all their infested breath. Make all smokers take a breathelyer, then make all alcoholics take a blood test and/or breathlyzer to measure their alcohol content, since they're liable to drink the flight away in oblivion and drive me nuts sitting next to me. If you're going to stick it to the fat people, then stick to the smokers who smell, and alcoholics who are obnoxious, and the old people who also often smell, by virtue of being old.

Posted By Joe Heller on February 4, 2008, 2:20 PM

Airplanes are not built to accomodate large or tall people. I am very tall and have similar problems on flights. I can't sit with me knees in front of me - I must spread my legs to get my knees in between the seat cracks. Heaven forbid someone tilts their seat back. I know that my legs are spilling over to the people on either side of me and it is embarassing but certainly there is nothing that can be done on my part. The airlines should allow more room both in front and on the sides. Airplane travel is VERY uncomfortable for anyone that is over 5'6" and 160 pounds!

Posted By Rhonda on February 4, 2008, 2:23 PM

If someone needs more space than available in one seat they should have to pay for it. Since airplane seats are so small maybe the airlines should make available 3 seats for 2 bulbous people.

I am not tall but one time flying between London and Seattle my knees were against the guy's back in front of me and the guy's knees behind me were in my back. Thanks to British Airways and the 747 set-up.

There should be some way for Aircraft manufacturers and Airlines to address this but like some people say it is just "greed" and that will not end soon. I heard that the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner was going to have extra spacing but the airlines said "NO, we'll use that space for more seats." GREED!

The only current answer that I can see is charge for extra space when it is needed and that should be the responsibility of the airline. The obese people will not usually admit their total size any more than the average woman admits her age, etc.

HOLD THE AIRLINES ACCOUNTABLE OR IT WILL NEVER CHANGE!

Posted By Roger Farrell on February 4, 2008, 2:23 PM

I'm an obese person and think what airlines like Southwest do, charging extra for overweight people, is discrimination. They wouldn't dare try to charge extra for a disabled person using a wheelchair. Normal-sized people are cramped in airplanes nowadays, so airlines should put less seats in all planes, make it more roomy, and just charge everyone a little more.

Posted By Douglas on February 4, 2008, 2:23 PM

I had a long flight with an obese person next to me, it was a very long uncomfortable flight. I paid full price and had to sit with my hand between my legs for the person next to me hung over into my space. I was unable to lift my arm to get to my drink or change the channel on the TV. It is not however the large persons fault only for my situation, the airlines should stipulate a weight limit and anyone over that weight or largr than the measurements of the seat should be required to purchase a second seat. It is not fair for someone else to be inconvenience or uncomfortable because of anothers persons situation. Everything in life has consequences and this hould be another one. We made major changes in federal and local courts about smokers and their infringing on other non smokers, this falls into the same category, as well as not allowing people to wear perfumes and colognes in some work places due to the annoyance of others. Put the situation and responsibilty where it belongs.

Posted By Debra Boccarossa on February 4, 2008, 2:24 PM

The concept of charging larger people more for flying is disgusting. It was not an issue before the airlines replaced the seats with miniaturized versions. It is unhealthy for anyone to be crammed into a tiny area while flying and this should be banned.

People should not be discriminated against based on their size, height, race, gender, sexual orientation, country or origin, etc.

Discrimination is just that. It disgusts me that there is even a conversation about whether this is 'right or wrong'.

Grow a heart and some compassion.

Posted By Elizabeth Madrigal on February 4, 2008, 2:24 PM

Airlines could have some extra large seats available for obese people so that the people sitting next to them don't have to be uncomfortable . In my opinion, they would be justified in charging a premium for those seats. Most people could lose weight if they joined weight watchers and seriously followed the program. (I am a WW member myself. Maybe these seats could be placed in the back row or rows.

Posted By Diane on February 4, 2008, 2:26 PM

If a passenger does not fit in the seat without intruding into the next seat(s), he/she should either purchase a first class ticket or purchase two economy tickets. The airline should enforce this. Neither the airline nor other passengers should be responsible for the lifestyle of obese people.

Posted By Edgar Kranzer on February 4, 2008, 2:28 PM

If a passenger does not fit in the seat without intruding into the next seat(s), he/she should either purchase a first class ticket or purchase two economy tickets. The airline should enforce this. Neither the airline nor other passengers should be responsible for the lifestyle of obese people.

Posted By Edgar Kranzer on February 4, 2008, 2:30 PM

I work out every day, running between 5 to 15 miles a day. I watch what I eat and am in great shape.

Either lose weight or pay to sit in two seats.

Posted By Linda Gau on February 4, 2008, 2:31 PM

Obesity is a choice. There is a solution. Stop eating so much bad stuff and get healthy. Flying is a convenience, not a privilege. Seats airlines provide are a convenience. If you have a super big butt then fly first class and pay for that privilege of a bigger seat.

I am a very long legged 6'4" and some airline seats don't even allow me to sit in them, physically. so if I'm going to fly them I ask for an exit row which is normally given. My condition is not solveable. Being obese is. Also at 260 lb I'd be happy to pay a small premium because I'm too heavy. But I fit width wise just fine.

Posted By RFay on February 4, 2008, 2:31 PM

So, according to some on here obese people should just stop eating in order to be thin? No muscle as they wouldn't have any energy to exercise from not eating, but by golly they'd be thin enough to compensate for the other little midgety thin people who think they're high and mighty and fit correctly into seats? Give me a break people - get a life, stop complaining about what people look like and look at how you're acting and thinking - if you were faced with an obese person I doubt you'd say the things you're saying on here. RUDE!

Posted By Tracy D on February 4, 2008, 2:31 PM

I work out every day, running between 5 to 15 miles a day. I watch what I eat and am in great shape.

Either lose weight or pay to sit in two seats.

Posted By Sue on February 4, 2008, 2:32 PM

I feel sorry for obese people, but it IS something that can be changed. If they can not fit into one seat, that is not my problem. I paid for all of my seat and I deserver 100% of it. Nothing less.

But, I do agree that the se