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United airlines "fat passenger" policy prompts plenty of backlash
On Wednesday, I posted about the new United Airlines policy for charging "passengers of size" for 2 seats, if they are unable to fit in one seat or use a single seatbelt extender. Now, whether this new money maker is a good idea or not, is besides the point, at least for United, because the PR backlash is already starting to hurt them and has forced them to change the wording in their rules.
The AAPR (not to be confused with the AARP) is the Association for Airline Passenger Rights, and they claim that charging large passengers is just another way for the airline to make even more money. Instead of changing the rules, they say the airlines should change their seats.
"They're at it again," said
I completely agree - airline seats in coach are too small, but in an industry where competition is fierce, packing more people in your already cramped planes is one of the few ways they can still make money.
And to be honest, the policy isn't really after "large" passengers, it is for "really really large" passengers. If you need more than one seatbelt extender, and/or need more than one seat, then you do need to pay for it, especially if you are going to be an inconvenience to the passengers next to you.
As much as I'd love to see modernized (larger) coach seats, it's going to take a miracle for the airlines to invest in the back of the cabin. Remember, these are companies that don't even have the money to hand out free pretzels.
Still, it is nice to see an organization protect the rights of the airline passenger. To learn more about how the AAPR is helping us, check out their site.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
k4ffy Apr 17th 2009 12:10PM
i completely agree with the airline. if you're too fat to fit in one seat, pay for 2 seats.
arpoador Apr 17th 2009 12:22PM
i also agree with the airline. i've had to sit next to an obese passenger, and it was a nightmare flight. not only did he eliminate my shoulder space (so i had to sit semi-sideways the whole flight), but he made unpleasant noises throughout the flight (labored breathing, mostly) and smelled vaguely of rotten meat.
... and he wouldn't even qualify under this policy, since he only used a single seatbelt extender.
the current policy (the obese pay the same as normal people) doesn't hurt the airline much ... but it really hurts normal passengers, who have to put up with them.
Katie Apr 17th 2009 1:23PM
My argument has always been: if people with disabilities who are required to take up multiple seats a result of their disability have to pay for all the seats they occupy, people who are obese should have to, too. It's not fair to penalize one population and let the other one go for fear of hurting their feelings.
Beyond that, I paid for my ENTIRE seat. If you can't physically stay in yours, you don't get to have half of mine for free.
KD Apr 17th 2009 2:21PM
AAPR is doing what they have to do as an advocate. Yet, this is an issue that just makes sense. If "you" or "someone" cannot fit into the seat with a seat belt extender, let alone they allow people an honest attempt at squeezing into a seat, then they should pay for two seats.
Honestly, SEAT BELT EXTENDERS???
Victor Apr 17th 2009 5:16PM
Frankfurt-Denver next to a 350 lb guy on lufthansa makes me support this rule.
Carrie Apr 18th 2009 12:56AM
I'm big, but I fit in the seat. I don't need seatbelt extenders, and it would frankly horrify me to have to sit next to someone that DOES... I'm comfy at the size I am, but to get to the point where seatbelts won't fit? How far down the ladder of self-respect can you go?
ahnan Apr 18th 2009 9:41AM
So you want to ship your double size package by UPS that will take up more space& more fuel to carry to the detonation. But you think you should get to ship this heavier, larger package at the same rate as a small lighter weight item? Why? Why do feelings come into the equation. Who will pay for the extra fuel and extra space you are taking? No on is forcing you to fly. No one is tell you you need to loose weight. Just he responsible for your self if you take more resources you need to have a sense that you need to not expect the world owes you the right to sit half in my beighboring seat. You want a bigger seat fly business class, paybthe extra to get a bigger seat, I do.
Zach Apr 18th 2009 11:08AM
I wish AAPR would advocate for my rights as a svelte passenger.
Renee Apr 19th 2009 9:12AM
I HAVE BEEN A TRAVEL COUNSELOR FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I AGREE WITH THE AIRLINES. AS A PASSENGER I DO NOT WANT A PERSON SITTING NEXT TO ME IN MY SIT WITH ME. THEY NEED TO FLY FIRST OR BUY 2 SEATS. IF A PASSENGER IS TOO TALL THEN THEY NEED TO SIT IN FIRST OR BARE THE AGONY OF HAVING THE PERSON IN FRONT PUT THEIR SEAT BACK. ALSO I AM SICK OF PASSENGERS COMPLAINING ABOUT FEES FOR BAGGAGE, SNACKS, DRINKS BLANKETS AND ETC. THE COST OF YOUR TICKET IS FOR YOUR PASSAGE NOT YOUR AMENTIES. FLYING IS A PRIVLEDGE NOT YOUR GOD GIVEN BIRTH RIGHT. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEIR RULES DON'T FLY!! TRY FLYING IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND SEE HOW EASY YOU HAVE IT AS AMERICANS!
Tyler May 7th 2009 6:12PM
I know we got it so easy as americans that we even have a button called CAPSLOCK on our american keyboards that lets us write in lower case or uppercase looks like yours doesnt
Dean Apr 19th 2009 11:16AM
I don't see anything wrong with United's policy. I pay for one seat, I should be entitled to the entire seat. I should not have to unwillingly share any part of that seat with anyone. It is actually inconsiderate of the fat passenger (I'm tired of being politically correct), to pay for one seat, and expect partial use of anyone else's seat, especially for their benefit.
pat Apr 19th 2009 9:33PM
if i am fat and go to a resturant do they have to give me a bigger meal ? if i can't fit into a compact car do the dealerships have to upgrade me for free to a bigger car?where would this end? if you want fair and you want rights then maybe the government should pay and run the airlines. airlines are companies. they have to make a profit. why does this aapr only fight for customer's rights on airplanes? why don't they protect customer's rights period?
Thunder Apr 20th 2009 12:55PM
I am in total agreement with United on this one; I pay for my seat for ME, not for someone else to use part of!! And, in view of the recent absurd arrest of a Northwest passenger who was refused use of the "first class" bathroom, and how insulting they and all their attendants are, I am looking forward to booking with United in the future. Screw Northwest, they are rude and stupid.
Luis May 5th 2009 1:02PM
If I go to a restaurant and I'm so hungry that I order two dishes instead of one, should I pay for one or two dishes? I should pay for two of course!
If I'm so fat that I take up one and a half or two seats in an airline, then I should pay for the TWO SEATS THAT I'M USING. It's only logical.
Dan May 24th 2009 6:10PM
I just suffered through flights to and from London on Northwest sitting next to extremely fat people. I'm disabled myself, by the way, so I'm not just complaining about anyone with "issues" related to mobility because I share some of those issues, although I can use a regular plane seat without any problem. But I've had it.
I paid for one entire seat and fully expect the use of that entire seat for the duration of the flight. What I don't expect is to share my seat with a person who's sweating, smells like a high school gym locker room and is literally hanging all over me. Try that for eight hours and then tell me the poor fat people have rights, too. They've screwed smokers for 20 years now (and the air quality on planes has gotten worse, not better); now it's time to make things "fair" for people who aren't grotesquely overweight.