Flap Over “Fat Fliers”

Charges Fat United Airlines Charging Overweight Travelers For Taking Up More Than One Seat; Fat Activists Aren't Pleased..

by CBS News

Published: Thu, April 16, 2009 - 1:40 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, April 16, 2009 - 1:43 pm CST

(CBS) If you're overweight -- get ready to pay more to fly the friendly skies.

United Airlines says it will start charging passengers who can't fit in a single seat, can't properly buckle the seat belt using an extender, or who can't put the arm rests down when they're seated.

It's not sitting well with everyone, reports Mike Sugarman, of CBS station KPIX-TV in San Francisco.

United would join a handful of other airlines that could end up charging you for two seats.

It's for the other passengers' comfort, the carrier says, citing 700 complaints last year about uncomfortable rides next to large people.

"I think it's probably a sensible thing to do, because I've had some very unfortunate journeys back and forth from the States when I just sitting in a two-seat row with someone who is taking up three fourths of that space," said Daniel Evans, a passenger.

United didn't return Sugarman's phone calls.

But people of size say they're appalled.

"Who makes the chairs? United. Who gets the money? United," said Marilyn Wann, an activist for overweight people.

"If a fat person buys a first class ticket, the extra width of the chair is taken up by that little console," she said. "So basically, the airlines build the chairs and airplane to say we don't like fat people here -- and that's discrimination."

"What you are going to be charged for when you get there shouldn't be a surprise," asserts attorney Alexander Anolik, who wrote the book on travelers' rights.

"Subjectively, to say, 'I'm going to eyeball you, turn around, you're going to pay for two chairs'? That's terrible," said Anolik.

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Hate-it Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 2:41 pm

What in the world does someone over weight have to do with Nam??????? Bamafan, you are weird. Are U really an Auburn Fan hiding in the Alabama Closet, if so, please step out.

Also, when were you in Nam??? NOT, LOL

Wait4Me Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I dont beleive this will last long, someone will hire a lawyer to protect them from this discrimination and they will drop this rule. JMO

C.C. @>--}-- Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Southfan-I have not broken any rules and I’am not aware of what NAM is? And I did comment on your rude remark about comments. So let’s just leave it at that! Back to the article the airlines are going to do what they want and we will have to deal with it because they know they are the means of our travel.

Citronellemomma Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Wait4me…you are too funny and right….I love all the discount reasonings!!!! LOL

southfan1981 Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 11:54 am

Wait… Now that you mention screaming kids. Walmart, 5 o’clock on a Friday evening, shopping carts stopped and moms hitting their kids for being fussy.

Don’t mean to start the whole beating your child issue again.

CC, this is a written form of communication. There are rules, this is not Nam!

Wait4Me Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 9:43 am

I want to pay less because I take up less than a full seat, I also want a discount for the following: 1) listening to screaming crying kids 2) people that arrive just before the door closes and take the empty seat next to me which I was relishing in the fact of it being empty. 3) People that try to carry on all their worldly possessions 4) slow people getting of the plane and blocking the whole walkway into the airport 5) people that assume because they wanted MY seat they could sit there and ask me to take theirs when I board the plane. 6) People that stand next to me when I have an aisle seat with their butts or crotches in my face while they try to stuff their bedroom into an overhead bin. In time I could probably come up with enough discounts to fly for free.

ickthus Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 8:40 am

make a fat seat and charge them a fat price. make a new airline luftonsa. fly with us, its tons of fun! large ppl know they are large. if they can’t fit in the seat they should not be mad at the airline about it. make ticket go by 50 or 100 lb sur charge past the first 100

C.C. @>--}-- Says:

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 8:15 am

If it makes you uncomfortable reading my comment then don’t comment back with your childish oppion! This is for discussions not for you to take your personal problems out on.

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm

I am uncomfortable reading poorly written comments. I am tired of the local journalists mixing up, “Effect” and “Affect.” I don’t want to smell the person sitting next to me in a plane. Whether they stink of perfume or cigs, I want to be compensated!

Get over it folks!

C.C. @>--}-- Says:

Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 3:17 pm

It’s terriable but if your the person that paid the high price for a ticket and you are uncomfortable because of this then you would understand if you have a child that is small u still have to pay for a ticket if they seat in a seat. They shouldn’t wait till they get to the airport to charge them though they would have to ask your wait when you purchase a ticket and go by the weight capacity a chair can hold.I do give sympathy on how them people would feel.