Most airlines don’t have any policies regarding unusually tall or fat people and can’t handle their extra size in cramped seats. It’s becoming a growing problem for the airlines, the obese, and the people who have to sit next to them.

My recent comments on the subject on Travel-Rants, suggesting that passengers be charged per seat generated some controversy. I’m going to explain why the obese should be charged per seat, and welcome your comments as well.

• Airlines Charge Consumers For Quantifiable Things – The airlines charge you per extra baggage, for every snack, or any other item that they can count. Since seats are a fixed space, if you take up two (no matter how much you weight), they should charge you for both seats. Otherwise, someone next to you is paying the same price for 1/2, 3/4, or some percentage of the same seat.
• They Don’t Charge Babies Since They Don’t Take Up A Seat – Babies (usually under the age of 2) can ride for free provided their parents don’t get them a seat. Babies don’t fill up a seat and can’t be charged for it, so the reverse should be true as well. If you take up more than a seat why shouldn’t you have to pay for it?

(more…)