OK, now that we've all weighed in on this subject, how about sending the comments to the airlines? Better yet, maybe the comments should go to Boeing, Air Bus and other builders of airliners.
I simply do not look forward to long range flights any more. No leg room in economy. I'm not over weight so the seats themselves are just so-so. Bring back those wide body planes, please! Nancy

Posted By Nancy Gomez on February 11, 2008, 1:04 PM

The problem is really one of getting what you pay for. Air flight is cheaper per mile then just about any other form of transport. Time and again, regardless of what we say here, the public has shown that they want the cheapest ticket possible. They will accept longer flights, transfers, less room, and just about anything else the airlines can dish out if it will lower fares by $2.

It reminds me of a Benny Hill skit where he goes to a travel agent and chooses the 49 pound trip instead of the 50 pound trip. The next five minutes are spent watching him eat a shoe while the guy on the 50 pound trip had lobster and so on.

Now, this is no solution for the overweight passenger who paid for one seat and takes up two, or even worse, paid for two seats, and had to squeeze into one (tell me this is not begging for a lawsuit), however for all of us who complain about how much space we have, you can't expect a corporation to eat into it's profits because we want them to, when time and again, we've shown them that price is more important than anything else. You also have to remember that the airlines are not all that profitable to begin with.

Posted By daniel on February 11, 2008, 3:28 PM

I think its only fair that if overweight passengers are going to take up seats that are paid for by other passengers anyway, that they should install larger seats for these overweight passengers and then make them pay extra for those seats.Its better than taking up other peoples seats unfairly.Maybe that would cut down on the number of overweight passengers flying and it would make overweight passengers take the responsibility for their weight rather than taking someone else's seat.I think that's fair.But really as i see it the real underlying problem here is not the seat size on airplanes, but just the fact that too many people are overweight.It has become an epidemic basically and the problem with seats on airplanes is just the result of that.Really everyone is just supposed to be normal size weight which is small to basic large and the seats on airplanes are just supposed to be those sizes.So the problem is not really airplanes,the problem is just people eating too much of the wrong foods and being lazy,and not getting enough excercise.The problem is really health wise.Airlines shouldn't have to accomodate big people,but since overweight people let themselves go and want to take their overweight frustrations out on other people,then the airlines must take measures to fix the problem and accomodate them.That's the real problem here,because don't you think its funny that we are all of a sudden having to worry about this after all these years? We never had such bad problems with this in the past.Obesity used to not be so widespread,but now it is.This must tell us something about ourselves.We must all wake up and smell the coffee,as they say.All overweight people should be put on serious diet programs free of charge and be made to follow them,then we might not have this airline seat problem.Or any other problems that arise from obesity.Is that blunt enough?

Posted By Lori on February 12, 2008, 12:17 AM

Time for the airline industry to address this potential profitable need; build BIG BOY AIRCRAFT,NO SKINNY MINNYS ALLOWED, CHARGE ACCORDINGLY. P.S. SERVE OVERSIZED MEALS AS WELL.
R.P.

Posted By Ron Parker on February 12, 2008, 9:28 AM

You know not everyone that is overwieght is lazy..that is so stero type..yes i admit im over wieght and yes im working on not being over wieght..and it hard..Why cant everyone just respect everyone for who they are not what they look like.....

Posted By shannon on February 29, 2008, 10:05 PM

Dear Shannon,

I really cannot see how you can turn this into a issue about respecting each other.

If we both rented parking spaces where we live and I had a large car and was always using part of your space to accomondate my car I don't think you would categorize it as an issue of respect. Maybe a lack of respect for what is your leased space that I am using.

This is really just about fairness to everyone. Smaller, thinner people pay extra for just about everything. A pair of Levi Jeans cost the same whether you buy a size 26" waist or a 40" waist even though it has got to be cheaper to make the smaller pair.

Stefen

Posted By Stefen on March 19, 2008, 12:29 AM

FIRST off, I have never been lazy. I work my butt off 24/7 raising five children and being a Military wife. At my highest weight, I was 320. Today, I am 133. SOME people are overweight due to medical conditions, such as THYROID DISEASE. Others cannot exercise due to all kinds of medical reasons. It is terribly unfair to say fat people are lazy. I have flown on an airplane being 320 lbs. Trust me, for a fat person, it sucks to sit next to a prejudice person. AND there will always be prejudice people no matter what the hell you do. FLY, laugh, pee. Someone will not like you because you are fat, skinny, brown, yellow or your nose is too long. Being thinner now at 130 lbs. I can honestly say people treat me much better than at 300 lbs. It is not right, but that is the way it is. Fat people do not want your damn seat. They need to make some seats that will fit a larger body. PERIOD. Make six rows or something with two seats each. Not too hard folks. Then everyone can stop bitching about this and start on something else. To all the fat people out there I say, YOU ARE A PERSON, YOU ARE WORTH SOMETHING, and what makes you YOU is INSIDE. Eat to live, not live to eat. All you skinny people just hide your addictions, fat people wear ours.

Posted By used to b fat now skinny on June 14, 2008, 2:03 PM

I was a ski racer for many years, and I cant and dont even want to tell you how much i spent in overweight for my ski bags and extra luggage. Probably in the thousands when it is all said and done. It is ridiculous. So what really bothers me with this whole issue on overweight people, is that passengers that are over a certain weight should pay an overweight fee, just like overweight luggage. They say you pay overweight fees for your luggage inorder to compensate for the extra fuel it will take to complete the flight. Well what about the guy that way 100 or 200 pounds more than me? Do they add that into the fuel equation? I agree that larger people should not have to be uncomfortable on a plane and getting larger seats IS one answer or buying two, but why should i have to fork over so much money in overweight for my skis, which was my profession, when overweight people don't have to pay for their extra weight. Which is basically the same thing, they are adding an excess weight to the plane and more fuel is required to make the trip. And now airlines are making it even more of a pain with the new baggage rules of only 1 bag. For a skier who is always traveling with lots of equipment this cost becomes a real burden on the wallet.

Posted By Paul on June 18, 2008, 7:43 PM

Well, I really think we should be priced for a ticket by our weight. I know we, especially females, are sensitive about this, but we weigh our bags so why not weigh us? I think this could be done in privacy and it would definitely be much fairer.

Posted By Mary on July 28, 2008, 6:00 PM

Personally, my version of airfare fairness would to charge all of us a base rate based on your average 12 year old weight (since 12 appears to be the basis of a full-price fare) and then charge extra based on the weight exceeding that. You can throw my bags on the scale with me, as well.

Thus, we are all paying the fare for the fuel needed for the airline to lug our carcasses around and no one is forced to subsidize someone else's choices, habits, lifestyles or medical conditions.

We are not a socialist state - I am not working my rear-end off to make money to travel in order to essentially subsidize someone else's weight problem - regardless of the reason. Those who are overweight might get my sympathy, but I shouldn't be subsidizing it, either, any more than I should subsidize some else bringing back 150 lbs of luggage instead of the 25 lbs I brought.

I'm coming at this from the perspective of someone who lost 84 pounds and has kept it off for 6 years and was getting to the point that the seat was very uncomfortable for myself and my neighbor. There is no way I can impose myself on my neighbor. That isn't my right and not what my neighbor paid for.

Just charges all of us according to our weight, and then there's no discrimination.

Posted By Rebecca on August 17, 2008, 1:59 PM

Airline seats are to small usually for everyone.
I would pay more if seats were bigger.
Overweight people have lives and want to be happy to travel and not just sit at home. Everyone of us has overweight relatives or friends that need to travel with comfort and without people judging them. What a shame, just provide larger seats and charge a little more. Airlines treat us like sardines or a bunch of ants without feelings, they just want to suck more money out of us.

Posted By betty on November 15, 2008, 7:27 PM

What about the people who are just big? I'm six feet tall and built like a football player ( I know, lucky woman). I have never fit in an airplane seat comfortably simply because of my width.

I'd gladly pay for a bigger seat just to keep from having to press myself up against the wall to keep from leaning halfway over my neighbor on the plane.

Posted By Anna on November 17, 2008, 4:40 PM

So why is it that the large person who sits down next to you feels that it's okay for their oversized body to seize part of your "paid for" square footage so that they can sit more comfortably? Do you think me cruel to feel extreme annoyance? If so, let me share that I take no issue with their size whether by choice or physical limitations. But I do take great issue with them booking an economy seat, knowing that the seat will be less than accommodating and then spilling over into my portion of the seating. I'm already not terribly comfortable and my $300 is just as good as their $300. So why, by nature of their size, am I required to donate, relinquish or otherwise fall prey to their seizure of my seating space?

They may understandably argue they can't afford two seats. However, I would argue that their lack of financial resources do not entitle them or justify them to taking a portion of what I've paid for; Seat 10B!

Airlines need to give every passenger what they paid for and that includes allowing me to enjoy my entire seating space, no matter how small it is. Therefore, I believe airlines should have rules about people size, just as they do about carry on luggage size. The luggage must be able to fit within an overhead bin while allowing it to close tightly. Passengers should be required to fit in their paid seat without spilling into the arm, shoulder or otherwise space of the passenger(s) seated next to them.

Posted By Helene on February 2, 2009, 5:50 PM

airlines need fuel for planes. and airlines need more fuel for overweight people. if overweight people get free seats, the underweight or normal people has to pay the fuel for the overweight people. and that is not fair to the normal or underweight. although it discriminates the rights of the overweight people.

Posted By zoe on February 2, 2009, 8:48 PM

Why can't the airlines take 6 rows, give them 2 across only and make them wider? Also, take away a couple rows and make the bathrooms bigger also? I am not a big person, i AM 5'10" AND 145 LBS.and I find the seats and bathrooms small. come on airlines.. stop thinking solely about $$..how about passenger comfort for a change?

Posted By Joe on April 10, 2009, 3:17 PM

I don't feel that over weight people should be kicked off a plane (how sad that would be)...but some solution should be found. After experiencing a flight myself next 2 an overweight woman who "flooded over" into my seat on a 2 hour flight I can simplify with those that are just looking for a comfortable flight. Maybe the solution would be a few larger seats & seat belts...Shouldn't the airlines be conforming to the consumer not the other way around!! Offer a few oversized seats like parking lots offer handicap parking. Solution solved!

Posted By Anna on April 16, 2009, 12:44 PM

Certain airlines have made a few rows with extra legroom, and charge a small supplemental fee for these seats. As a tall person with knees bruised from short seats, I have paid a little more to have the legroom. Surely the airlines could adapt some rows for seats with extra width as well, and justify a supplemental charge for those in the same way.

In addition, there is a great website that gives the measurements of seat height, width, and pitch of various types of planes and airlines. It's well worth checking out to find some extra inches: www.seatguru.com

Posted By Walter on April 16, 2009, 1:48 PM

I agree overweight people should pay for two seats,it is very uncomfortable for a large man sitting next to you and his arm is to close to the breast area and makes the flight miserable.It seems like every time i fly i always get seated by a large person,sure some people have medical problems but most are fat becasue they eat to much.its about time the airlines do something about it

Posted By edith on April 17, 2009, 6:29 PM

If airlines were to change a few rows into wider seats to accommodate large passengers... My question is: What if the large passenger was traveling with a spouse or child who's not large or overweight? Does that mean they can't sit together? That those particular seats are reserved for large people only? If they can, should the airlines charge the child/spouse more because they are sitting in a seat meant for an overweight person? No one wants to sit apart from their loved ones especially on a long overseas flight.
Having said that, I think airlines should keep the seats the way they are and people who take up two seats should be given two seats and charged more. Maybe not double, but definitely more. This is a business not a charity and it's not about discrimination, it's about reality.

Posted By Adrian on April 18, 2009, 12:45 AM

Just flew home from Vegas with an obese man beside me. He attempted to raise the armrest when he first sat down. This was very offensive to me because that was the only divider that attempted to keep him out of my space. He was very angry that I would not let him put that up. Even with it down he spilled over into my space and pressed against me. I am not prejudice. This is unacceptable - I should not be forced to be touched by a stranger for 4 hours when I paid for my seat. If the seats were meant to be shared, they would have a bench style not individual seats. Obese people should not expect their neighbor to "share" with them. Something needs to be done because it is a very uncomfortable situation for everyone.

Posted By Teresa on April 21, 2009, 7:03 PM

You all think it's comfortable for the overweight person as well. I am slightly overweight, but can still fit in a seat w/out raising the armrest and can buckle my seatbelt (requirements for any airline)....but I still work myself into a frenzy and have to basically drug myself up to calm down just b/c I worry about the person who will be sitting next to me. I have lost a considerable amount of weight and am still trying...don't just assume everyone is overweight b/c they eat too much. I"m a very active person! But I hardly ever fly unless it's an emergency b/c of how much I'm thinking about other people on the flight. I had to fly to PA from TX last year when my father died. I didn't sleep for 2 days and had so much medicine in me I could hardly even think...and it's not b/c I hate flying or am scared of heights...I hate the fact that when I walk on a plane everyone looks and goes "please don't sit next to me".
It's a reasonable arguement, but did you ever stop to think that some overweight people hardly ever fly b/c they worry about other passengers before themselves, but sometimes they don't have the choice but to fly.
We are all people and have feelings. I'd personally rather sit next to someone who is my size than someone who smells or is drunk anyday!
Just think about what is going through the overweight person's head before you start name calling and saying mean things. It's not the ideal situation but there is a reason that person is on that plane, and I could never imagine being asked to leave the plane b/c I'm overweight (what if, like me, a relative had just passed away and then you're told you can't go b/c you're fat--that's not something you can change right then and there)..so just think people! The average size woman in this day and age is a 14---that includes CURVES!!!

Posted By kristi on July 22, 2009, 1:36 AM

I just experienced a very uncomfortable 5 hour flight where a very large women sat next to me and took up half of my seat. Not only did she take up half of my seat, but she felt that it was also fine to overtake half of my leg room upon me falling asleep. I really think it is the responsibility of Airlines to make all their passengers comfortable and I personally feel that I should only have paid for half of my seat as that is all I was able to utilize. It is not discrimmination, it is just reality. I see that people posted comments that airlines should make larger rows, last I knew they did and it was called business class. There only solutions for making things fair and that are charging more or making half the seats in the plane larger which would make for more expensive flights anyway. That would make airfare 1 1/2 times more expensive for passengers that would like to sit in the larger seats. I would pay that much more myself to be comfortable and I am not obese.

Posted By Sarah on July 24, 2009, 6:48 AM

My mother is overweight so think whatever you want.
I just spent an hr. flight sitting beside a huge man. The arm rests couldn’t even be seen. I simply asked to move but plane was full since airline allows people to jump ship when room is available, then they cancel the last flight out and save a ton of money.
What irritated me most was the airline attitude when I registered a complaint. They said we don’t discriminate against overweight people. Well then does this mean they discriminate against regular size people like me?
To me it’s not any different than the smoking laws enacted in recent years to protect the air space around a non smoker.
It’s true that airline seats should be bigger. Or as a result of the society we have become, special seats on an airplane should be available like bathrooms for the disabled.
It’s true that people who simply can’t fit in their seat should pay for another or upgrade to 1st class, where seats are wider.
If I don’t feel comfortable with regular people getting to close on an airplane or any transport for that matter, then having this happen is appalling.

Posted By Julio Ribeiro on July 25, 2009, 6:28 PM

For those of you who are saying that the airlines should make larger seats - it's called FIRST CLASS. If you're too fat to fit in an economy seat, then go buy yourself a first class seat. I now fly first class after a few unfortunate incidents of sitting next to fat people. Yes, I am paying more to sit in a first class seat just so that I wouldn't have to deal with fat people spilling over into my seat.
And no, I'm not just being mean. I understand that not all fat people are lazy bums. But get this - life isn't fair. Some people are smaller than others; some people are smarter than others; some people are born rich. Get over it. You fat people should either lose weight or start driving long distance.

Posted By Jennifer Smith on June 13, 2011, 3:38 AM