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Obese passenger forces neighbor on US Airways flight to stand for 7 hours
Arthur Berkowitz, a passenger on US Airways Flight 901 from Anchorage to Philadelphia, had no other choice but to stand up during his seven hour flight. It seems the next seat over was occupied by a passenger so overweight that it was impossible for Berkowitz to stay in his seat. Now, Berkowitz is speaking out about the ordeal."I didn't fly from Alaska to Philadelphia on Flight 901," Berkowitz told consumer advocate Chris Elliott, "I stood."
The neighboring 400-pound man's body spilled over into Berkowitz's personal space so much that he was forced to stand for most of the 7 hour flight, and he couldn't use his seat belt during takeoff and landing.
"His size required both armrests to be raised up and allowed for his body to cover half of my seat." said Berkowitz.
US Airways apologized for the incident and said in a statement "Our intention is to offer the best travel experience possible. The details you have provided indicate that we have failed to meet our intentions." US Air offered Berkowitz a $200 voucher in compensation.
In a poll on Elliott's consumer watchdog site, 96% (over 17,000 votes) thought that US Airways did not offer Berkowitz enough compensation. We agree.
[Image credit: AP]
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airline Reviews, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 61)
Rodolfo Nov 24th 2011 1:48AM
There were a few options available, and it's hard to believe some of these weren't taken into consideration on a full or oversold flight. If the flight wasn't completely full, simply move the inconvienced party to an empty seat. Other options available: Two "hefty" passengers can comfortably occupy a three across bench, making for FOUR very relieved passengers. The wide bodies didn't pay extra to be harassed or embarrassed and it gets to a point where I'm sure he felt like "Hey, I paid for my passage as well. It's up to the airline to accomodate both of us. Throw the skinny guy out the window."
There are a few parts of this story that take it to the limits of credularity and into the realms of urban legend. Everybody sits and is secured on takeoff and landings. No exceptions. Might as well claim that there was a funny odor in the cabin so the aircraft flew the entire flight with the cabin door slightly open.
doug ehrhard Nov 24th 2011 2:06AM
Can't do that FAA regulations prevent anyone other than a qualified F/A or Airman from riding the company extra seats such as F/A and extra seats. in the cockpit. That being said. The president of the airline can appoint anyone to sit anywhere if he so chooses. But that usually is designated for ATC controllers, other airline individuals mostly big wigs. I had the president of USAIRWAYS sitting on my extra seat in the compit because we had a 3 oxygen masks dropped and only 2 available seats. So Dougie Boy had to sit up with me. I enjoyed the fight, nice guy. Of course if you don't mind the president of your company sitting 2 feet beside and back of you for 4 1/2 Hrs.
This guy should have never been allowed to leave if he were forcing someone else out of their seat. The big guy should have been made to buy 2 tickets. If 2 tickets were not available then he gets the boot to a later flight.
JEFF Nov 24th 2011 7:28AM
In California obesity is a protected class like race or religion, the other 49 states it is not... if airlines started "just no to 400 lb" passengers maybe there would be fewer obsese people... same for medicad or other benefits, no benefits to obsese people We protect people by so many laws... we are protecting people from themselves so often... What is Eating Gilber Grape? Ever see the movie ?... Gilbert's mom is so large she can leave their home anymore.
mark Nov 24th 2011 3:51AM
A large majority of Americans are over weight. If the airlines were not so cheap they would put a few less people on the plane and use much more comfortable wider seats. They would not loose money by doing this because the lighter the plane the less fuel it burns. American Airlines saved millions of dollars just because they took all of the magazines off of their airplanes with the exception of the American Airlines Magazine. The removal of the excess weight of magazines has saved them millions of dollars. The airline also stopped carrying excess fuel and water to save millions more. That is kinda scary that they fly now with very limited fuel reserve. These are facts so a few less passengers and a few less seats would make everybody happy. Could you imagine flying somewhere in the comfort of a seat as big and roomy as your living room recliner. This however will never happen in this country due to the filthy rich greed!!!!!! So they over stuff the flights and we all fly like sardines. I have actually seen airlines put luggage in the isles. My father works for the FAA I sure wish he was with me to see this.
Jennifer Sullivan Nov 24th 2011 5:38AM
Passenger cannot occupy a flight attendant seat! The passenger "of size" should have purchased two seats. A passenger who is sitting next to an obese passenger has the right to speak up before the flight takes off and be re-seated. We are too afraid to offend obese people. People of normal size have rights too!
cindy Nov 24th 2011 6:02AM
federal laaw says no passenger can occupy a flight attendant jumpseat. I know this because I am a Flight attendant. Federal lae also says that all passengers must have a seatbelt fastened for takeoff and landing. This airline should receive a very large fine for this incident.
Aiming Nov 24th 2011 7:54AM
Only Flight Attendants may occupy Flight Attendant Jumpseats.
GB Nov 24th 2011 7:54AM
Now, now folks, we cannot discriminate and force an obese person to buy 2 seats when they cannot fit into one. Being politically correct goes above and beyond common sense and the law these days.
bb Nov 24th 2011 8:00AM
I bet you're a moron
Susan Nov 24th 2011 9:56AM
Agree totally. That plane would have never left the ground if I found an elephant in the seat next to me. Why is it right for one to pay for a seat and not get it, while another gets two seats and doesn't pay for two? AFAIC, the elephant can disembark, pay for two seats and catch the next flight with two seats available.
The airline is at fault. The flight attendants are at fault. The passenger is rude, selfish and at fault. The innocent guy is the one who was harmed.
Marc Nov 24th 2011 4:02PM
I agree this was handled wrong...However, the FA is not authorized to offer a flight attendant seat. Its prohibited for anyone to occupy a Flight Attendant Jumpseat who does not meet certain requirements and or training. Sad situation all the way around. I"m a flight attendant...I"m sure something could have been done b4 they took off.
This is one of the reasons I think there needs to be some sort of way for pax who are larger to get two seats.
Eva Nov 23rd 2011 4:27PM
The airline should provide a full refund PLUS a voucher for a free flight anywhere in the U.S. The plane should not have left the ground. I feel sorry for the obese passenger (I have weight issues myself) but he should have been removed from the flight for lack of disclosure and made to pay for 2 seats on a later flight. Of course this would have resulted in a lot of backlash and probably a lawsuit. In lieu of removing the obese passenger...why not ask if anyone would volunteer to give up their seat and take a later flight for a full or partial refund? Since the plane did take off, I find it surprising he had to stand the entire time. Nobody offered to share the standing the with him? Couldn't he have been put in a flight attendant jumpseat part of the time?
kimberly Nov 23rd 2011 5:12PM
That's ridiculous. He got where he was going.
Bob Nov 23rd 2011 5:34PM
Exactly my reacaction - why did other passengers give him a few of their minutes. I am thinking 13 others give up 1/2 hr and everyone of them get a free flight anywhere.
I think it is a good point that at least two passengers were not belted in and the plane took off anyway. If some random passenger refused to belt up they would be thrown off.
Kathy Nov 23rd 2011 5:36PM
It is very sad that now a days courtesy is almost non-existent
Vicki Nov 23rd 2011 5:47PM
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
david fisher Nov 23rd 2011 9:23PM
There are Attorney's who handle this sort of problem, hope he will hire one..and get $$$$...The Obese man should never have been permitted to get on the airline...
agent moose and squirrel Nov 23rd 2011 7:07PM
maybe the airplanes should ber equip with larger seats by the airlines since this seems to be a constant problem, as far charging a obese person double if they did would he get the seat beside him as well? maybe the airline did collect double. it apparent the seats are not large enough. next is a thinnner person charged any less.?
reba Nov 23rd 2011 7:17PM
I am a larger woman as well. at 343 you learn to position yourself for the comfort of others, the other man could have taken a window eat and turned in such a way the bulk of his weight was up against the wall.by leaning this way he would have removed his rear end from the seat of the other man. and i have been 500 lbs before and never had to raise both armrests or blocked someones seat belt. this overweight man was either very inconsiderate or the other man is leaving something out. you do not get to that weight and not know how to make yourself less bulky sitting by others.
Karen Nov 23rd 2011 7:26PM
Exactly.. The man who stood did not get what he paid for even if he did get where he was going. He paid for a seat on the plane. He didn't get it. The solution is obvious. Refund the money.