Should overweight air passengers be charged additional fees for their weight?
Obesity is a choice 99% of the time
Obesity is not caused by diseases 99% of the time, and most of the time they are just lazy and eat too much. Obese people cost more in fuel to fly and take up more space, so they should have to pay more. They also "spill over" into other seats and hamper the experience of the fliers sitting next to them.
Posted by: tmar19652Of course they should!!
You should be charged per kilo of combined weight for you and your luggage. Nothing to do with being charged for being overweight, just a simple case of supply and demand.
If a fat person wants to buy 10 chocolate bars, should they be charged the same as someone who wants 1? Of course not and its the same with a flight. You are "buying" fuel and space on the flight and should have to pay your share.
The vast majority of overweight people are overweight through lifestyle choice and nothing to do with illness or any other bogus reason.
If you can't do the time don't do the crime!Posted by: AnonymousAbsolutely! I'm tired of larger people impeding on MY space while on a plane!
As a paying customer I am entitled to the whole seat that I have purchased. I have flown numerous times throughout my life and have had experiences where a large person was seated beside me and infringed on my space, causing me to have to lean to one side for the entire flight (2 hours to 12 hours dependent on the length of the flight) which is very uncomfortable for me in that I get a sore back, sore neck etc... Just to accommodate a large person. They can't put their tray down and expect to use mine because of this. How is this fair to ME, I paid my money too. I'm tired of accommodating people that are too lazy to take care of themselves. When larger people buy clothing they pay more simply because more material is used to produce the clothing (Is this discrimination from the clothing companies too?)
THEY CAN EITHER FLY FIRST CLASS OR PAY FOR TWO SEATS! "I refuse to share my space on a plane anymore." I absolutely back the airlines in a pay per pound system and also agree that if a larger person is made to pay more they are entitled to a larger seat which would be more comfortable for everyone.
THIS IS NOT A DISCRIMINATION ISSUE AND ANYONE THAT THINKS IT IS .... WELL THEY ARE PROBABLY A LARGE PERSON THAT WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE.Posted by: SVSOverweight air passengers should be charged extra fees for the space they use.
Airlines charge fares in direct response to the amount of space and weight that is occupied on each flight, An overweight air passenger reduces the amount of baggage that can be taken on a specific flight and are in turn largely responsible for the implementation of carriers charging fees for each piece of luggage now.
Posted by: ThegaXenYou can fix being overweight
Those who are saying that fat people can't help but be overweight don't understand that what you eat everyday and how you take care of yourself is a choice that the obese take upon themselves. If you are overweight and you choose not to take action to prevent yourself from getting various weight related diseases such as hyper tension and high blood pressure why should the rest of us who take care of themselves have to fork it up for someone who chooses to live a lifestyle that is bad for them? When an obese person takes up 1 1/2 seats it makes the person next to them extremely uncomfortable and it is unfair to be charged for an uncomfortable trip that you paid for as well. Imagine having two obese people sitting on either sides of you. Pay for two seats and make it your choice to seek a healthier lifestyle and to lose some weight. If you have a medical condition where you put on weight because of some rare disease then bring a doctors note to get the fee waived.
Posted by: AnonymousIf you weigh more the plane uses more fuel.
It shouldn't cost airlines more to take overweight people; nor should the other passengers have to subsidize the extra cost.
However, total weight should be calculated including all the Luggage and personal items. Thus, overweight people could opt not to pay by limiting their luggage. On the other hand skinny people could benefit from luggage benefits to even the scale.Posted by: AnonymousYes, overweight passengers should be charged unless there is an exception.
If they are charging us for the extra luggage we carry, then they should also charge obese people for their extra weight. Being obese is not always a disease; some people are just too lazy to loose weight. Some have a genetic predisposition but many others just eat too much. In both cases they should be charged. In some cases where loosing weight can cause instability, they shouldn't be charged.
Posted by: AnonymousYou pay for extra luggage, so why not extra fat?
If provisions are to be made for obese passengers, such as larger seats or wider aisles, they should definitely be made to pay extra. The airline requires more fuel for the extra payload.
Obesity is a modifiable problem. Stop eating and start moving. There are too many excuses given for obesity, with so many unaware that they are obese.Posted by: AnonymousYou pay your luggage per kilo so why not yourself?
The service delivered is at a cost. Lifting weight from the ground costs more energy than the flying as such. So at least a part of the costs of an air-ticket should be related to the weight of the person. It's also a good incentive to lead a healthy life as well. I have suggested the same for a massage, (to charge per kilo) as the work of the masseur strongly relates to the size of the person.
Posted by: t0nd0ndersYes because the adversely affect other paying customers.
If a person is obese, as a rule of thumb cannot walk through the aisle facing forward (has to shuffle sideways to fit their body through the aisle), said person will likely encroach on the comfort of the traveler in the seat next to him/her who paid full price for a ticket.
Posted by: AnonymousFuel and space costs money, so overweight passengers should have to pay for it.
It's difficult to charge overweight passengers extra for the extra space and fuel they use without appearing overly judgmental, but the alternative is higher ticket prices for everyone as airlines try and make up the difference. If airlines were making money hand over fist, I might be more sympathetic, but I heard on the news that airline profit margins are less than 5% due to fierce competition, especially from low-cost carriers. Excessive fares from having to charge overweight passengers the same might damage the industry as a whole.
Posted by: 54uIIanMore pounds- more fuel usage.
The airline tickets should be priced by weight tiers. It does require more fuel for heavier cargo.
If anyone should be an exception that should be tall people. One cannot choose the height but the weight is a matter of choice in 99% of extreme obesity. One cannot blame slow metabolism or any medical condition to be 100+ pounds overweight.Posted by: Anonymousabsolutely
if you are going to charge me extra for my checked luggage which ways no more than 70 lbs. Then they should definitely be charged extra for taking up 2 seats.
Posted by: Doulos1202Overweight passengers should pay additional airline fees since, in most cases, because they chose to let themselves become overweight.
I am not someone who subscribes to the thinking that all overweight people have a "disease" or "disorder". I believe most of them have let laziness and unhealthy eating habits lead to their weight problem, a choice that they have personally made for a long time. Eating right, and more importantly exercise and activity, can fight almost all weight problems. Therefore, those who choose to let themselves become overweight should have to pay for their choice, when it comes to airline seats, movie seats, public transportation, and so on.
Posted by: BrianDjMore weight is more fuel.
USPS, UPS, Fedex, DHL, etc all charge packages by weight because more weight equals more fuel expended to get it to its destination. Even people with automobiles understand this and the more you cram into your car, the more fuel is consumed and the sooner you have to fill up the tank. Airlines are no different and have to use fuel too. The more weight onboard, the more fuel utiilized.
Posted by: AnonymousPay for what you use.
It makes sense, so pay for what you use. After all we pay for what we use in all other aspects in life why not in this aspect as well. It all comes down to the amount of fuel we would each consume, so create an algorithm and charge accordingly.
Posted by: AnonymousYes ,unless there is an exception, overweight passengers should be charged additional fees.
If they are charging us for the extra luggage we carry, then they should also charge obese people for their extra weight. Being obese is not always a disease; some people are just too lazy to loose weight. Some are genetically predisposed, but many just eat too much. In both cases they should be charged. In some cases, where loosing weight can cause instability, they shouldn't be charged.
Posted by: AnonymousSupport Weight Limits on Planes.
Samoa airline was the first to introduce this in 2012, due to their small charter planes and weight of the passengers. Americans have the same obese issues as many Samoans do. It is not discriminating against passengers, it is purely a supply and demand on limits of weight per fuel charge and seat weight limitations. This wouldn't have been such a big debate 30 or 40 years ago, because most Americans were considered healthy and active. It is only a debate because we as a society have made unhealthy decisions, and decide to be more sedentary in our lives. We should be charged by weight of passenger on flight.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, they charge us for luggage.
Of course they should charge the ticket by weight! Infants occupy less space, if you sit near an obese person this is very uncomfortable, and let's assume I weigh 54kg and have 10kg excess luggage, I will pay far much more than a person who weights 100kg with no excess luggage. If they charge by weight, they should charge the whole thing like that.
Posted by: AnonymousYes they should
I have experienced flying and watching movies with larger people and it is very uncomfortable, I felt very squished and cornered. I had to move seats in the movie theater because I was too claustrophobic. In the airline I had to sit there, on the edge of my seat because of the guy, I nearly fell of twelve times and I actually fell off twice! I would like to show them how I felt.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, weight is critical for an airplane to fly.
Weight is critical for a plane to stay in the air. The heavier the plane is, the more fuel it needs, therefore more expensive the flight will be. It is not a question of being against overweight people, it's a question of efficiency and safety as well. If you wanna be fat, be fat, no problem at all but you need to understand that there are certain weight limit that needs to be respected. I hope this will be adopted with all airlines.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, I have to pay more for extra baggage because of the additional weight.
The airlines must all have an amount of passenger weight that they calculate per plane in order to know how much fuel they need. If I add more weight because of baggage, I have to pay more for the fuel; if someone is over the weight used to calculate, they should pay extra also. There was a case in the news not long ago where a flight had to ask some passengers to get off as there were too many men on the flight and they were worried about the weight, so it obviously can make a difference
Posted by: AnonymousIn most cases obesity is a choice that has a large financial impact on society.
If someone is impinging on my space by hanging over the allotted seat size, it is uncomfortable and unfair. Why should people be encouraged to be overweight? People of normal size are the ones being discriminated against in the current system. If there is a genuine medical reason for someone's obesity, let them be exempted.
Posted by: Anonymousfuel costs
It costs more to transport them, more fuel, more time, more air, more food. You pay cargo per kilo, so it should be with passengers tickets too. The total weight including passenger and bags should be per kilo. They are also a major disturbance to passengers they sit next to.
Posted by: AnonymousOverweight passengers should be charged additional fees for their weight, because they take up more space.
Overweight air passengers should be charged extra, because they take up more than one chair. They should be charged the extra ticket, because they are not going to be able to fill up the chair, otherwise. The airline will be able to make up that money, and the other customers wouldn't be made uncomfortable by getting the seat next to them.
Posted by: RandallSyep
if there fat flows into the other seat or severly annoys the other passagnges the yes
Posted by: AnonymousJust as there are penalties for people who don't wear a seat belt while driving, sometimes people have to be have guidelines to reduce the impact on others.
As Americans continue to gain exorbitant amounts of weight, the responsibility is increasingly on them to take care of their health and should they not, there are natural consequences such as higher premiums, not being eligible for public assistance, insurance or certain jobs. Many people have reported they quit smoking when it became illegal in public areas. Same holds true for the embarrassment of being charged extra for weighing more. If left unchecked, where will it end? There is only so much weight an airplane can carry. If one person takes up too large of a spot so an airline can't fill the seat next to them, it is only fair the "space" being used is paid for by the larger person. People who get defensive about this are also the very same people who don't think they have any responsibility to others (family, co-workers, fellow insurance holders) for how their choices impact others.
Posted by: Ramon GriffithOverweight passengers should be charged additional fees for their air flights.
Overweight passengers should be charged additional fees for their air flights. Current airline seats are arranged so that there is minimal space for passengers because the knee space has gotten smaller and the seats slimmer in order to accommodate more people. When you are sitting in one of these cramped seats and an overweight person sits next to you, it makes your ride incredibly uncomfortable. While raising the rate for these passengers will not make my ride more comfortable, it may encourage the airlines to form an ?overweight section? with slightly larger seat space so that these individuals can get what they pay for and the thinner passengers will be allowed to get what they paid for.
Posted by: SilverMathiYes, but who gets the money?
I agree, because it invades and inconveniences other passengers. But, the issue is: if there is a surcharge, will people seated near a surcharged passenger get a rebate? Or will the airlines sell discount "near fat person" seats, like concert halls sell standing-room only concert tickets? Basically, the question is, who will get the proceeds of this surcharge?
Posted by: AnonymousFlight is a privalige, not a right.
As a transport aircraft crewmember and mechanic with 23 years in the aviation industry, I can say that some overweight persons should not be allowed to fly at all. Transportation on an aircraft is not a right, it is a privilege. The federal no fly list is proof of this. Persons are put on this list in order to keep potentially dangerous persons off of aircraft. Is that discriminatory? No, because they pose a danger to those on board the aircraft. Aircraft seats are limited to a safely support a specific amount of weight. If that weight is exceeded, the seat could suffer structural damage that may go unnoticed until an accident. For example, if said aircraft is approaching V1 speed, (the point at which the aircraft must take off) and a runway incursion occurs, the pilots will abort the takeoff. This will happen by full application of the brakes and thrust reversers. Anything not locked down becomes a missile (please refer to Newton’s laws). If damage to a seat has occurred, that seat can separate with its new passengers in the seat. Further, if an overweight person is on board an aircraft that happens to catch fire on the ground and needs to be evacuated, the overwing exits could become blocked. Those exits are limited in size and will not accommodate some people. If an overweight person blocks an exit inside of a burning aircraft, who is it not fair to. I suggest to you that it is not discrimination. If I do not put a handicap ramp on my home because no one in my home is handicapped am I discriminating against someone that I am unaware of. If the seatbelt in my car is not rated to protect someone that is overweight in a nine G forward impact, did I discriminate against that person. If I get a ticket for having an unbuckled toddler in my car, am I being discriminated against for having a toddler that likes to unbuckle. If a person with an infant under the age of two years that wants a seatbelt for his child, is that person being discriminated against if he is charged for that seat? By law that infant can be lap held, with no seatbelt on an aircraft. If the person has a genetic or medical condition that causes their obesity, then they should choose to fly on a medical transport aircraft. If it is not a medical condition, which is the case with almost all obese conditions, then that person is discriminating against you by putting your life in danger and infringing on your right to life.
Posted by: AnonymousEquality through the freedom of choice.
People may argue that this is somehow 'unfair' but the fact is people choose to be large. By using excess equipment of the airline (seatbelt extensions, pull up arms etc), they need to pay for this or they are getting a 'free lunch.' Allowing them to not pay for this will in fact be unfair to normal weight passengers who get nothing for free.
Posted by: AnonymousI don't like being sit on
First, obesity is not a legally protected class in the USA. Second, I believe it is a smart business move to better accommodate everyone in flight, if a passenger requires more room they are charged more and given a larger seat. I have been on airplane rides where the person next to me clearly cannot fit in their seat, they put up the armrest and now they are sitting in at least 1/3 of my seat. Not a fun experience for all involved, including the flight attendant who eventually had them move to another seat because I refused to be that intimate with someone for a 6 hour flight. If you are larger than others it is no secret, I don't think public weighing is necessary at all but common sense customer service leads me to believe that individuals who are smaller in stature literally cost less to move from point A to point B.
Posted by: AnonymousExcess baggage limits.
As a female it is galling to be penalized for a few pounds overweight with our luggage when someone is heavier than us has the same luggage entitlement. It seems completely unfair. Also, seating is a problem if you have the misfortune to sit next to someone who spills out of their seat.
Posted by: AnonymousOf course they should, if they lap over two seats, they should pay for two seats.
Obese people really should check them selves. They don't have a disease, they have an eating disorder. They should not become a protected class of citizen just because they are fat. Airlines have every right to charge a fatty more for his or her ticket. If they are extremely obese, and take up two seats they should pay for two seats. Who wants to sit next to an overweight person with their blubber lapping over the seat?
Posted by: BriaBlackenYes... maybe
But then how would you work that. Who decides whats overweight and then how much do they have to pay... couldnt work.
Posted by: TrikstarikYou and your baggage should be weighed.
I believe that upon check-in all passengers should be asked to step on a scale with their bags.
After all, it takes more jet fuel to transport 425 lbs. than 125 lbs.
A premium should be charged for people weighing over a certain amount.
Then, the bags should be removed from the scale, and the passenger alone should be weighed.
People weighing over say 250lbs. should be asked to pay more and should sit in larger seats in a section of the plane where they will be more comfortable.
Mothers traveling with infants can also pay more and sit in these larger seats where they will be more comfortable.Posted by: AnonymousIts not fair to other passengers
Why should they take up my space that i paid for on the airplane just because they have a weight problem. lose some weight or be prepared to buy 2 tickets. its silly to think that if you take more room in a area with limited space that your not going to be paying more. it also costs more fuel to have them as passengers.
Posted by: AnonymousI believe that overweight air passengers should be charged additional fees for their weight because, on airplanes, their size impedes other people.
I believe that overweight air passengers should be charged additional fees, because their weight impacts both passengers and crew alike. Airliner seats are small enough as it is. When seated next to a very large person, their body mass not only fills their own space, but encroaches on their neighbors', narrowing their neighbors' space further. That passenger often has to shift their position, so as not to be right up against the larger person. Planes have weight restrictions. An extremely obese person occupies a higher percentage of the weight load than the average customer. If airlines can tier the price for luggage based on weight, then that model should be applied to the passengers, as well.
Posted by: ThoughtfulRoosevelt53They need to buy an extra seat if they require the space.
I've sat between two obese people on a flight and was VERY miserable. I'm a tall woman of normal size so it was very crowded and uncomfortable. They both had large arms that were hanging over the arm rest into my space. Very unpleasant!!!!!
The way the airlines price their seats, it's possible that I paid more for my seat than my fellow passengers, yet I basically only had half a seat. That seems very unfair!!!!Posted by: Anonymous
It is highly impractical to charge someone based on their weight when they cannot help being over- or under-weight.
It is not correct to charge passengers based on their weight, since if that is the case, the underweight passengers would have to be charged less. This could lead to an unmanageable situation where there would be no standard guidelines. Besides, overweight passengers are rare, and their weight is negligible compared to the luggage-weight.
Posted by: darknesseNo, they should not.
Not unless they plan on giving them bigger and better seats to compensate for cost. It is not fair to make them pay more for the exact same service. Otherwise it is definitely discrimination at that point. Or maybe someone just needs to start an airline or have special flights that are calculated to carry people who are bigger.
Posted by: AnonymousAbsolutely not Liberals!
This is absolutely ridiculous! Since when do we get the right to dictate to others? Because to me that is exactly what this is. Liberal. I guess we should also start charging the people that have yet to learn proper hygiene. Or a rather disturbing screaming baby. What will you dictate next?
Posted by: AnonymousNo, it's a pure case of discrimination.
Discrimination does not involve only the color of the skin or of the race of human. Overcharging overweight passengers involves discrimination, as it would be for overcharging young people, or having different prices according to race or sex.
If such a policy would be established, then soon other differences in charging policy will come soon.
Customers-passengers are human-persons, no matter what. So charge should be per person, no matter what.Posted by: AnonymousI don't think they should charge overweight passengers because they shouldn't judge people based on weight
If you weigh a lot more than normal citizens that shouldn't make you pay more on an airplane trip. That is like saying because your skinny you won't get to the eat the same amount of food as an obese person. It should be equal for everyone and just because they weigh more, doesn't mean charge more.
Posted by: waffletimeI don't think that overweight passengers should be made to feel any worse about themselves by getting additional charges.
Knowing what it is like to be overweight, I think that it is absolutely unacceptable to charge overweight passengers extra. It would destroy their self esteem and make them feel bad about themselves. A little extra cash for the airlines should not be made at the expense of the poor overweight passengers.
Posted by: danoneenoI do not believe overweight air passengers should pay and additional fee because this would be a form of discrimination
First I think this is an impossible decision for an airline to make. At what point is a person considered overweight? This would necessitate a complex set of rules where the sex, height and weight of a person must all be included and computed. Should a 6'5" 250 lb. football player be considered overweight if a 5'3" 250 lb woman is? Then all big and tall men even if they are normal weight for their size would have to pay more. A second reason this is unfair is that airlines accommodate all passengers with special needs. They do not charge persons with wheelchairs extra. Parents can bring their child's baby stroller on board and park it up front. As more and more people struggle with weight problems airlines need to start accommodating the needs of their passengers, and not shove people into the same size seats that were adequate 30 years ago. Obesity can be a medical condition the person has no power over, and the airlines should be responsible for accommodating obese passengers just as they accommodate any other person with a special problem.
Posted by: gaijinboyOverweight people should not be charged addition fees for their weight.
Charging overweight air passengers additional fees for their weight sounds and looks like discrimination on the part of airlines. And it may also hurt the individual who is overweight. It is not fair to discriminate against the air passengers on the basis of their physical appearance.
Posted by: I0rFashionToo tall - THAT'S TOUGH
I agree and have sympathy with many of the 'yes' voters, having sat next to obese passengers on aeroplanes. But why should, for example, a 6'4' slim (but pretty heavy) person be penalised? Perhaps if airlines are seriously considering 'pay by the pound' they will need to assess our Body Mass Index as we check in and make the charge based on that. How much earlier will we have to turn up for that?
Posted by: AnonymousUnless the whole fee system is changed, overweight people should not be charged more.
Overweight people should not be charged more airfare unless they need two seats, because airfare rates are charged per seat and not per pound per seat. I would support charging overweight people more if passengers under the average weight were charged less. If the airline wants to make more money on fat people, they should restructure their fee schedule to charge not by the seat but by the pound.
Posted by: EImerBuddieOverweight passengers should not necessarily be charged extra for airline travel.
I think it is unfair to discriminate against overweight passengers by charging them extra for a seat. That being said if a passenger is morbidly obese and requires two seats it is reasonable to charge them for both seats. This should be judged on a case by case basis and determined by their individual seating requirements
Posted by: R3n5God2iIIaAbsolutely shocking, this should not come into place!
There is nothing I hate more than people who rob innocent people. Don't you think its hard enough already? Some people have health issues that can't be helped, resulting in being “fat." I really disagree with this rule as it is going to discourage people to go abroad and therefore the airline companies will lose money. It is a complete disgrace to see people have to pay loads. If this rule does come into place I'm hoping they will have luxury to compensate for the cost.
Posted by: AnonymousPassengers who fly on commercial airliners should not be charged additional fees because of their weight because modern aircraft are designed to hold a greater amount of weight than any group of passengers could ever assemble.
Passengers who fly on commercial airliners should not be charged additional fees because of their weight because modern aircraft are designed to hold a greater amount of weight than any group of passengers could ever assemble. The practice of commercial airlines charging additional fees to passengers because of their weight is a clear case of discrimination based on imaginary fears and cultural bigotry. The modern airliners of today are designed to hold an excess of weight that could never be challenged by a plane full of overweight passengers. Also, seats that were designed fifty years ago to accommodate the travelers of the past no longer matter in today's world. Even the smallest of adult passengers should be entitled to leg room and freedom to stretch.
Posted by: 53r3n3PiersOverweight passengers should not be charged additional fees because it is a discriminatory practice.
Overweight air passengers should not be charged additional fees because it is discriminatory. Being overweight can be hereditary or some overweight passengers could have an eating disorder. If the weight of the passenger increases the cost of operation for the airline, the cost should be distributed over all passengers who are purchasing tickets.
Posted by: w00dwitchOverweight and obese customers should be charged a standard fee, while underweight and small customers should have prorated tickets.
Given that men are 20% larger than women, this would allow for an instant discount for women fliers on the average, and children and babies would be flying for a fraction of the usual rate. As everyone knows how much fun it is to make air travel with a plane with an unusually high number of minors on board, the inexpensive tickets for the women would only be chivalry. Being large or obese can be a real nuisance. As you've already figured out by now I'm an man, well taller than most people, who though a Tae Kwon Do instructor, I cannot suck in my shoulders, especially for the length of a long flight. Tucking in my legs is at least that hard and I can't fly without them. "Wow, look at that wedding band! Can you put a quarter through?" (answer, yes) People who are obese can no more fly without their adipose than I can send out for smaller shoes and smaller feet for the duration of the flight. It would be fair to rebate small people for having to sit under my shoulders while I wrap my arms around myself and try not to make eye contact. It's not fair to fat people to penalize them more than being fat already does. As an instructor it really bothers me when society is mean to fat people, and airplanes are a special peeve of mine.
Posted by: groovyboxWhy the hell should they?
How would you like having to stand in the middle of the airport and be weighed to see if you should pay extra? Larger people are already insecure about their weight so the fact that they would have to do crap like that in front of everyone else really isnt fair. We tell people to be happy and to like their bodies but then we go and put an extra charge on airfares for larger people.
Posted by: AnonymousI do not think overweight passengers should be charged more for their weight, because the problem is cramped space, not overweight passengers.
The problem lies not within charging overweight passengers, yet within the structures of the planes themselves. Unless a person can afford the luxury class, coach is cramped and crowded, even if you are not overweight. There is rarely enough room. I do think that if there is a free seat on the flight, an extremely overweight person could be placed next to the free seat. Otherwise, it is going to be up to the airlines to design more spacious coach class airplanes, in general.
Posted by: PointlessElbert47Not for their weight
Bringing on a screaming baby or having way more luggage then anyone else is to me a good reason to charge someone more, but someone being overweight doesnt hamper anyones flying experience nor does it cost more fuel to fly the aircraft than an extra bag....
Posted by: imabenchOverweight passengers should not be charged additional fees because that would be discrimination.
Overweight people should not be charged additional fees for their weight. This would be a form of discrimination. Airlines should accommodate overweight people, particularly since so many people in the world are becoming overweight. Overweight people have as much of a right to travel via airplane as other people. There is no reason why they should be charged extra.
Posted by: VasilBuddyits not like its thier fault for being over wieght
over wieght people dont have a choice. Its not like we get to choose how much we wiegh. discriminating them isnt fair and its cruel and stupid. Besides if your going to complain then dont just complain about the obese thing complain about the screaming baby that mom brings or the extra luggage. Plus the sleeper that cuddles up to you complain about those. Coach is cramped anyways.
Posted by: Todo149Airlines are looking for more money, and this is an "easy" way of raising the cost of tickets.
Yes I am one of "those" people that take up more space than others. But don't think we are not concerned about that fact. Most people are not happy with the amount of space given in airplanes. I avoid flying if at all possible because of the tight quarters, but mainly because I am concerned about my neighbor passenger. Instead of charging overweight passengers more because they are overweight, shouldn't the airlines offer varied styles of seats? For instance, there's first class and business class (better seating than coach but not all of the perks of 1st). Then maybe should have a "Premium Coach". The same treatment as coach, but for those people who want or need extra leg room and width for comfort. Yes, thin people could also buy these seats if they want the space as well. These seats would be more than normal, but not as much as the first and business classes. This would give the airlines it's money and would make many more comfortable. The airlines should make information available regarding legroom, width, seat belt length, etc., so larger people can make good decisions regarding their travel.
Posted by: AnonymousPeople should not be charged based on their body composition.
Companies should have the ability to cater to all types of passengers. Do buffets charge more for people who are greedy? Do skating rinks or bowling alleys charge people extra because they have big feet? Do handicap people get charged more because they may need specialized seating or extra room for their equipment? Would a really fair skinned person be charged an increase rate to use a tanning bed? No, because this would ostracize a valuable customer, and a human being, based on their physical. The bottom line is that it is the company's job to be able to accommodate all of its patrons equally. After all, they are the ones making the profit. Or, maybe an airline should be developed specifically catering to larger sized patrons. I'm sure they would be happy to make the money.
Posted by: MohaI0v35This is just an awful suggestion.
I would like to put out there that I am not overweight, but I used to be and I know that being overweight is already difficult enough. This is just pure discrimination. People who are overweight can't always help it. And people who's lifestyles caused it are already paying for it emotionally and physically. They already have to pay more than others for clothes, and because they eat a lot they also pay more for food. They get made fun of for being "fat" by others. They deserve to be charged the same as everyone else. I realize I am looking at this from a rather sentimental point of view, but I don't think this means my point of view is any less valid.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, no, no!
Absolutely shocking, this should not come into place!
There is nothing I hate more than people who rob innocent people. Don't you think its hard enough already? Some people have health issues that can't be helped, resulting in being “fat." I really disagree with this rule as it is going to discourage people to go abroad and therefore the airline companies will lose money. It is a complete disgrace to see people have to pay loads. If this rule does come into place I'm hoping they will have luxury to compensate for the cost.Posted by: AnonymousNo, they should not.
It is discriminatory, if someone is in a wheel chair or in need of a walker due to something that happened to their legs or body, would it be right to charge them more money just because they need equipment to walk? Most people who say yes said that they'd charge people by their luggage and their weight, what would you consider a wheel chair? I 'd find it horrible if airlines decided to charge crippled people extra money just because of something that happened to them, that they had no control over.
Posted by: AnonymousNo. You cannot discriminate according to physical traits.
Airlines can charge per kilo only for 'excess' baggage and not for the minimum allotted amount. So there, they can curtail the weight by imposing a restriction on the amount you carry beyond what is already set or agreed upon. That imposition however, cannot extend to passengers themselves because that would require setting limitations for what is considered a "minimum acceptable limit" . Once you enter into the territory of setting weight boundaries and trying to determine what is over the acceptable limit, the potential for discrimination becomes huge as the lines are far too blurry. Weight or obesity is often a medical condition and not always the result of poor lifestyle choices so trying to draw a line about when and when not to charge is next to impossible. This is the same reasoning behind why airlines cannot charge extra for wheelchairs.
Posted by: AnonymousThe cost of overweight people is already built in
It seems that the main argument for the proponents of this idea is that overweight people should be charged more because they cost the airline more money in fuel and erode the profit margin of the airlines. I would have to argue that the additional cost of flying these passengers is already accounted for. Since the airline knows exactly how much fuel is consumed in a given year and how many passengers were transported, they know the average fuel consumption per passenger and can use that information when calculating ticket prices and target profit margin. Assuming that passenger weight follows the same statistical distribution for each airline and that all of the obese people do not flock to one particular carrier which would put that carrier at a disadvantage, all of the carriers should be on a level playing field in terms of average passenger weight. So if what I just said is plausible, then the ticket price already accounts for the extra cost to transport the obese people. Using that argument, any additional obesity fees for the airline can only be justified if the airlines plan to give all the skinny people rebates so that it makes it fair for the consumer. Since I have not heard of airlines wanting to give rebates to skinny people, I think we can safely assume that this obesity charge scheme has been carefully crafted by an airline executive in order to come up with ways to price gouge the consumers and pad the bottom line of the company.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, overweight passengers should not be charged more for airline passage, since this would be discrimination.
Several studies have shown that overweight people, especially obese people, are subject to terrible disdain, prejudice, and discrimination. I do not think it is fair or just to charge more for airline tickets, unless a person will occupy more than one seat. While the actual costs for carriage may be higher for the very heavy person, this averages out with the smallest people occupying seats. I would only favor increased pricing if every passenger paid per weight.
Posted by: baltuteI don't think punishing a person for their sixe is appropriate or right.
It's embarrassing enough that you have to pay for another seat on certain flights, having to pay for being overweight is just taking things to far. Firstly what would be the guide lines for being overweight. If the airlines made the choice based on the traditional height versus weight chart then most people would be considered overweight. What about athletes who have large muscle mass, they too would fail the test. Lastly if this is a guide line for only obese people then what would stop airlines from refusing a person the right to fly based on their weight.
Posted by: C0ImEIiteWhile there is a case to be made for charging passengers who actually require more than one seat, the idea is fundamentally obnoxious and unfair.
Granted that the airline industry is not wildly successful, and that cost-cutting measures may be important, this particular idea is discriminatory and generally nasty. It doesn't take into account the demographic reality of the customer base: one-third of Americans are obese, and two-thirds are overweight. The seats used should be changed, if necessary, to accommodate customers' comfort and convenience. If a person actually takes up two seats, under any seating scheme, a case can be made for charging the person extra, since the individual is depriving the airline of income, and another would-be passenger of access to the flight. But this situation does not arise often, and this example seems to get raised to justify the entire category of making weight-based cost distinctions, rather than to save the airlines money or expand the number of available seats. Flying is stressful and expensive. Airlines should provide better service to remain profitable.
Posted by: M4I4cFeIineDiscrimination for any reason only gives the devil a larger foothold on the life of mankind.
When we learn to love one another unconditionally, the world will be a much better place. Being overweight does not make someone a criminal. Everyone has problems. Some of ours just show more than others. We are called to love one another. If we want to fix this world, we should concentrate on living Christlike lives. We cannot legislate morality, but we can change this world one person at a time by being kind.
Posted by: Anonymous