Airlines grapple with fat flier issue

cnn ^ | A. Pawlowski,

[JoeProBono]

When film director Kevin Smith was recently kicked off a flight because of his size, he focused his anger on Southwest, but the incident put the spotlight on all airlines and their heavy passenger policies. Smith said that he had no trouble buckling his seat belt and lowering his armrests on the flight Saturday and that his neighbors didn't complain about him invading their space.

He said he suspected he may have been bumped by an airline employee who did not like his films.

Southwest has apologized to Smith -- twice -- but said he was not singled out to be removed. "Our employees made the decision to remove Kevin after a quick judgment call that he might have needed more than one seat for his comfort and those seated next to him," wrote Linda Rutherford, Southwest's vice president of communications and strategic outreach, on the airline's blog.

[NCC-1701]

Build a fleet of these big guys for the oversized guys and the problem solved. Of course, the price of a ticket would be adjusted accordingly.

[meyer]

I think a few rows of “fat seats”, priced accordingly, would be a good idea. Have a regular seat right there at the ticket counter and if the customer can’t fit they either pay for the fat seat or two seats with seatbelt extender or they don’t fly.

The seats need to be a little wider and they need more legroom anyway. I'm 6'3" and 240 pounds. Not fat (well, just a little), but it is very uncomfortable in the cramped quarters of the planes. They need 2 or 3 more inches of width and 5 inches of legroom for all passengers.

As for overweight/oversized passingers, they ought to sell tickets by the pound, passenger and luggage together. After all, the more weight on a plane, the more fuel it takes to fly. Perhaps a base fee plus $1 per pound over 150 total.

[wintertime]

they ought to sell tickets by the pound, passenger and luggage together. After all, the more weight on a plane, the more fuel it takes to fly. Perhaps a base fee plus $1 per pound over 150 total
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Very interesting!

[Ditter]

I am 5'3” and slightly pudgy and I am uncomfortable in airplane seats, I can only imagine how uncomfortable you are. Airplane seats are not the only places that are cramped. We sat in the AT&T Center in San Antonio yesterday for an Extreme Bulls bull riding event and I had to get up and walk around several times. The seats were just horribly small with no leg room and this event center looks very new.

[goseminoles]

I’m the same size as you and am uncomfortable as well. At 6’2 240 I’m not fat at all.
Your proposal would add a lot of money to my ticket.

[SaraJohnson]

Yes, good idea. They have fat customers so they should make accomodations for this reality. Also, what constitutes “fat” should be clear. My husband is not fat by any means, but he is tall and has broad sholders. I am tall and there really is not a comfortable way to my legs in the space given my legs on long trips.

I think the seats have gotten too small even for non-fat people. They have crammed in too many seats and have now made the flights comfortable for Chinese people only.

[Belasarius]

I’m 6’3” and 320 lbs. I haven’t been on a plane since October of 2001. I felt crowded when I weighed 220lbs and flew 10 or 12 times a year on business.

I’m expecting to have to fly at some point this year. It’s one of the things that has motivated me to start losing weight. My goal is 200lbs. This will probably be the fourth or fifth time I have lost at least 80 lbs.

They actually already sell seats that fat people fit into. They are in business class. I can’t see that it costs more to pay for one seat in business class than 2 seats in coach. I’d rather be comfortable anyway. I can’t see torturing yourself for four hours or more. Hell, you might develop a blood clot and die.