Ever get stuck beside that guy on an airline?

An image of an obese passenger squeezed into an economy airline seat has reopened a debate about how airlines deal with growing numbers of oversized passengers.

The picture, posted on an aviation blog, was reportedly taken by a flight attendant to illustrate to airline managers the difficulty of dealing with passengers who cannot fit into seats.

It is unclear if the man was aware his picture was being taken or whether the flight, on US carrier American Airlines, took off with the passenger spilling out of his seat.

Airlines already offer extended seatbelts to larger passengers to comply with safety rules but a number of carriers now insist obese customers buy an extra seat.

US domestic no-frills airline Southwest has a “customer of size” policy that insists passengers who cannot lower both armrests buy a second ticket which is reimbursed if the flight is not full.

American Airlines does not have such a requirement but urges passengers to “recognize ahead of time that they may need to purchase two seats”.

The image, apparently taken on a Boeing 757, was sent to writer Kieran Daly and posted on his blog at aviation news website, Flightglobal.

It is not clear if the image has been altered but Mr Daly wrote: “This is sent to me with the absolute assurance that it's a genuine picture taken by a flight attendant at American Airlines. The F/A took it to show her manager what was happening on the aircraft (757???) and why she was unhappy about it. Seems the guy paid for only one seat and the gate staff let him board.”

Comments below the blog entry illustrate the debate over how to deal sensitively with obese passengers while ensuring others have enough room.

In a statement, American Airlines said: "At this time American Airlines is unable to confirm whether or not the image referred to was taken by a member of flight crew but will investigate the situation internally to determine if any of the airline's strict policies were not correctly applied.

"American Airlines’ primary concern is for the safety and comfort of its passengers and crews and consequently passengers are advised to book two seats if they are concerned that they will require them. If a flight is not full, however, passengers' needs would be accommodated without charge wherever possible."

 

Great post Av8

yes the sensitivities of our larger brethren do need to be considered in conjunction with air line safety policy and the comfort of other passengers

a diplomatic approach is best IMO

I believe I could have solved this situation at the gate with a simple and polite

"Oi Chunky, where do you think your going?"

people of that size cannot run very fast or very far LOL

Steve

 

Yes I have, and I was upset. I requested to be moved.

Unless it's a hot chick sitting on my lap on the plane, I prefer others to keep their arms and legs to themselves and not spill into my seat.

 

I fly ALOT and there suppose to give them two seats and a seatbelt extension

 

Only flew once, Got the window seat on the flights and sat next to my 3 friends on the 737 we where on. Exit row baby

Great article though! Thanks for sharing

 

I've never dealt with a situation like this, but from my uneducated, unqualified point of view,that looks like a freakin' fire hazard.

I've only flown with friends or family, so I knew who I sat next to (although there have been weirdos in front and behind). My biggest pet peeve on fights is screaming kids. And I understand young children can get scared at take off or landing, but when the parents do absolutely nothing to stop it resulting with the whole plane having to put up with it, it ticks me off. I've had one flight out of 6 where an infant/toddler didn't scream their pants off for 30 minutes straight. This also happened to be a 20 minute flight...and that plane (from the bahamas) smelled like a public portable restroom. It was disturbing.

 

what about the snack cart? it aint getting past that! i think a person should be charged for the total weight that they are brining on the plane. i dont mind paying my share, i just hate subsidising (sp) for lazy ppl.

 

when they show up show them a tape measure then measure the seat infront of them and kindly inform them that the seat can not acomadate them. lose some weight and try again

 

I've only flown with friends or family, so I knew who I sat next to (although there have been weirdos in front and behind). My biggest pet peeve on fights is screaming kids. And I understand young children can get scared at take off or landing, but when the parents do absolutely nothing to stop it resulting with the whole plane having to put up with it, it ticks me off. I've had one flight out of 6 where an infant/toddler didn't scream their pants off for 30 minutes straight. This also happened to be a 20 minute flight...and that plane (from the bahamas) smelled like a public portable restroom. It was disturbing.[/QUOTE]


try screaming children running up the aisle on an all night flight and it was 7 hours!

 

This just came to mind cause of me mentioning the exit row... Can that guy fit out the exit door? The planes I've been on, I dont think that person would...