WarlordZeroOne
06-27-2009, 01:59 AM
Fromm www.cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com) ,
Airline policies juggle larger passengers Story Highlights
Obesity rates have grown in the last 25 years but plane seat sizes remain the same
A growing number of airlines are creating polices to deal with heavier passengers
Heavier passengers cost more fuel and space, say some passengers
National Association of Fat Acceptance says it's unsafe to cram passengers
June 26, 2009 -- Updated 1504 GMT (2304 HKT)Next Article in Travel »
By Stephanie Chen
CNN
(CNN) -- You pay for checking your baggage, for snacks and for extra legroom. Word is one airline has even toyed with charging you to use the toilet. So it makes perfect sense to some fliers that heavier passengers should pay for spilling over into the next seat.
Earlier this year, United Airlines formalized a policy that charges some larger passengers for a second seat.
Frequent flier Ross Murphy, 54, has been sandwiched between larger fliers in coach, and he believes they should have to shell out for a second seat.
"They have a right to sit in the seat next to me," said Murphy, who travels cross-country at least 15 times a year to watch his sons' sporting matches. "But they don't have a right to sit in my lap."
A growing number of airlines are forcing bigger passengers to pay more as they cope with the costly and uncomfortable quandary that arises when obese passengers cannot squeeze into a single coach seat.
With airlines trimming flight schedules -- meaning fuller passenger loads this summer -- the issue is bound to spur some awkward encounters. Chart: Compare some of the common airline fees
Airline policies juggle larger passengers Story Highlights
Obesity rates have grown in the last 25 years but plane seat sizes remain the same
A growing number of airlines are creating polices to deal with heavier passengers
Heavier passengers cost more fuel and space, say some passengers
National Association of Fat Acceptance says it's unsafe to cram passengers
June 26, 2009 -- Updated 1504 GMT (2304 HKT)Next Article in Travel »
By Stephanie Chen
CNN
(CNN) -- You pay for checking your baggage, for snacks and for extra legroom. Word is one airline has even toyed with charging you to use the toilet. So it makes perfect sense to some fliers that heavier passengers should pay for spilling over into the next seat.
Earlier this year, United Airlines formalized a policy that charges some larger passengers for a second seat.
Frequent flier Ross Murphy, 54, has been sandwiched between larger fliers in coach, and he believes they should have to shell out for a second seat.
"They have a right to sit in the seat next to me," said Murphy, who travels cross-country at least 15 times a year to watch his sons' sporting matches. "But they don't have a right to sit in my lap."
A growing number of airlines are forcing bigger passengers to pay more as they cope with the costly and uncomfortable quandary that arises when obese passengers cannot squeeze into a single coach seat.
With airlines trimming flight schedules -- meaning fuller passenger loads this summer -- the issue is bound to spur some awkward encounters. Chart: Compare some of the common airline fees