How Fat is Too Fat to Fly?
This Man Hardly Looks Comfortable on the Airplane and Surely Isn't Seated Safely
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
Dec. 2, 2009
We all know that airline seats are tiny to say the least. But when an overweight passenger squeezes into one seat, the phrase cramped takes on a whole new meaning. A picture was reportedly taken by a flight attendant to illustrate to airline managers the difficulty of dealing with passengers who cannot fit into seats.
(I couldn't find the photo featured with the article on Google Images.)
A photo circulating on the Internet has rekindled the debate over passengers that some consider "too fat to fly." In the photo, allegedly taken by an American Airlines flight attendant, a very large man is spilling out over his armrest (he actually appears to be sitting on it) and filling half of the aisle. Not only does it look really uncomfortable for the passenger -- and the passenger next to him -- but it also seems like a safety hazard. Kieran Daly of the aviation blog Flightglobal.com said in a post: "This is sent to me with the absolute assurance that it's a genuine picture taken by a flight attendant at American Airlines."
Woe to the Sumo Wrestler Flying on an Airline to His Next Match!
The Indignities of a No (Fat) Fly Zone
United Joins Other Airlines in Telling 'Customers of Size' to Buy Two Seats
Column By RICK SEANEY
FareCompare.com CEO
April 22, 2009
Hold on a sec while I don my old football helmet. You see, I am about to dive into a real air travel hornet's nest: the issue of "customers of size." In case you're wondering, that's airline-speak for obese people -- loosely defined as folks who can't lower the armrests on their seats -- or can't buckle up without a belt extender. United Airlines' announcement last week that customers who essentially "spill over" into their neighbor's seat must buy two tickets caused a media sensation -- or, maybe the sensation was caused because the airline was so open about it. At least eight other airlines have similar policies, but they're hidden away in dark corners of their Web sites. Let me be open, too: nobody is ever going to mistake this airfare expert for a dainty piece of porcelain. But then, I don't really think this an issue about weight, exactly -- I think it's about something much more important, and much more rare in today's airline travel. I'm talking about personal space. And I've got news for you: obese people may not be the worst offenders. For more air travel news and insights visit Rick's blog at: farecompare.com You wouldn't know it to hear the snide remarks: one Southwest passenger complained about his neighbor's excessive adiposity by exclaiming,"His love handles, to put it mildly, were overflowing into my lap. Eeeeekkkkk!!!!!" Yes, I too hate it when someone's flesh infringes on my personal "no fly zone," but what about crying babies and talkative toddlers? What about the snorers and droolers who mistake your shoulder for a pillow? What about Laptop Lover or Text Monster whose flying elbows smack you throughout the flight? And don't get me started on the pet-toters who are certain you want to meet snarling little Fifi. Then there's the Bathroom Bore, who has to get up (and climb over you) again and again, to hit the head. Worst of all? No contest: the seatmate with the unbearable body odor. So why isn't anyone raising a stink about these folks? Shouldn't they be isolated -- or required to get an extra seat -- preferably in the back? 
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Comments
They should just make the seats bigger. Yes, if you are grossly obese you are going to have to spring for an extra ticket. Hubbins and I do it when we fly together because my husband is 6'4" and both of us are "hippy" and we prefer to NOT be sitting on top of the person next to us, who is not married to us. If we can swing it, we fly first class. But lately I don't want to fly at all, I'd rather drive. Unless it's abroad and then fuckit...I'll cram my wide ass into any seat they give me and suck it up.
As for kids, that's next. They'll be harassing parents soon. And everyone else. They're gonna milk this for all it's worth. And honestly, we'll all benefit if we can afford to continue flying. Imagine a flight with no screaming babies, no push my seat back into your face people, no stinky drooling seat companions. YAY
I don't want to spend hours thigh-to-thigh with a stranger. That's not a little, I'd rather not, but a serious issue about bodily privacy.
My experience traveling with kids is that people will swap seats when they see it is needed. If you book two seats because you're obese, believe me, your seatmate will agree to swap and move to your second seat, giving you two together.
I know. I've been flying with kids since the first one was 6 weeks old. (She didn't cry. In fact, people leaving the plane were amazed to learn there was a baby on the flight).
If you are obese it is only right that you declare yourself to be when you book the flight. Theoretically you would be seated between empty seats first, but as the plane filled to capacity you would be sent an alert advising you that if you wanted to retain your reservation you could purchase extra seat(s) or surrender your reservation.
As far as the impedance to emergency evacuation is concerned, obviously my suggestion above would not solve that issue. Perhaps the obese people could be seated in the most aft area of the plane?
This sounds mean and discriminatory I know, but think of it the other way, how is it fair for a slender person to be squashed by a fellow traveler? The obese person can back down, can fly with extra seats, but the skinny person? What can they do? Will they be forced to pay extra so that they are not seated next to an obese person? Do you think that is fair?
Buildings are required to be handicapped accessible so that handicapped people can get and out of them safely, but airlines don't have to make seats big enough to accomodate an increasing number of large, not necessarily obese, people in our society?
You don't have to be EXTREMELY large to spill over your seat on an airplane.
"Obesity traditionally has been defined as a weight at least 20% above the weight corresponding to the lowest death rate for individuals of a specific height, gender, and age (ideal weight). Twenty to forty percent over ideal weight is considered mildly obese; 40-100% over ideal weight is considered moderately obese; and 100% over ideal weight is considered severely, or morbidly, obese."
So, a person whose ideal body weight is 150 is mildly obese if they weigh 180 pounds and will spill over his/her seat on most airplanes.
I'm always amazed that people have no problem being jammed into an elevator, waiting in line, or at a concert, but can't be touched when seating next to someone on public transportation. I'm not talking about getting crushed - obviously that's not acceptable or even safe.
I think those who are mildly and moderately obese should have comfortable seating on airplanes. Those who are morbidly obese should be prepared to buy the extra seat. But so should those with an infant, a diaper bag, and the other baby accessories; people who are over 6'5" and whose feet intrude on the person in front of them; and people with medical equipment like an oxygen tank or a colostomy bag.
Why should only fat people be targeted?