Obese air passenger in economy seat has picture taken

telegraph.co.uk/ ^ | 11-27-09 | Alastair Jamieson

[Justaham]

An image of an obese passenger squeezed into an economy airline seat has reopened a debate about how airlines deal with growing numbers of oversized passengers.

The picture, posted on an aviation blog, was reportedly taken by a flight attendant to illustrate to airline managers the difficulty of dealing with passengers who cannot fit into seats.

[al baby]

Is that Michel Moore ?

[Da Coyote]

He may be obese, but betcha he’s smarter than the vast majority of our congress-critters.

[television is just wrong]

Wow, seeing that pic, I now know why they want these guys to buy two seats. One for each cheek.

[ricks_place]

Should have flown in a jumbo jet!

[Clock King]

The armrest is down and he is sitting on it. I assume this is pre-flight.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

MOO!

[apocalypto]

lol!

[MediaMole]

It could be during the flight and he’s sitting that way to accommodate the unfortunate center seat passenger. It can’t be fun for anyone involved.

[votemout]

I sat behind a guy like that from Paris to LAX. He reclined his seat after take off and never raised it back. No vacant seats on the plane. It was like riding in a box the whole time.

[celtic gal]

I cannot believe the airline would permit take off...this guy needs a row of seats. This must be photoshop work.

[cripplecreek]

He looks like he might be a really big guy even without the weight.

[Sunbunny]

CA to TX, I sat next to a LARGE man who took up half of my seat too. I really wanted half of my money back. (and a shower)

[jerri]

I think the guy should have said something when booking the flight.

[Falconspeed]

Capito. Happened to me, too. Even the stewardess showed some pity to me and gave me a free glass of wine. Getting trapped behind a bid dude with his seat reclined all the way was a painful commute from LA to NY.

[votemout]

LOL. Everything’s larger in Texas.

[Chet 99]

Oh, the poor man in the middle seat. Maybe one day someone in the middle seat will get squashed by a fatso and sue the airline. Maybe then that will get their attention.

[StolarStorm]

This is why they need to have a 3rd tier of seat types. Say about 2 rows of extra large seats. Not quite first class, and somewhat cheaper, but bigger seats. And then REQUIRE that anyone over a certain weight MUST use those seats or they don't fly.

Beyond the obvious comfort issue, there is a safety problem. In even mild turbulence that man could crush the guy next to him. FAA needs to get involved if the airlines won't.

[RGSpincich]

For all we know he had a double seat somewhere else. He’s socializing there.

[stevio]

Is the armrest still attached? If it is, throw it the freak out!