Shermans Travel » Blog » Plump Passengers – Is a “Fat Tax” Fair?
Shermanstravel Blog
Plump Passengers – Is a “Fat Tax” Fair?
Should passengers get penalized if they are considered obese by a particular airline? United Airlines certainly thinks so, announcing recently that they will soon be charging chubby travelers for two seats if they can not comfortably fit into one. Opponents to this new rule feel that the airlines should instead update their seats, which have remained the same size since the 1960s, in order to accommodate the larger frames of today’s average American body. After all, there’s no doubt that the United States is suffering from a massive obesity issue. But with things as they are, should “smaller” travelers have to suffer because the person seated next to them is taking up too much space? Commence the great weight debate!
This overweight issue is not just making headlines stateside. Across the pond, Europe’s low-cost airline RyanAir has been making news with its rumored “fat tax,” which would be added onto the final price of an airline ticket if the company deems the individual overweight.
In both instances, it seems that the airlines are actually receiving positive feedback for a change when it comes to applying a fee towards fat flyers – both United and Ryanair released data stating that they’ve receive hundred of complaints by travelers who were inconvenienced by an overweight neighbor and that many passengers were for the new fees.
What do you think? Should airlines charge passengers that are overweight and can not fit into one seat? Or should the airlines update their seats to fit today’s “huskier” passengers? Maybe airlines should just charge people what they weigh for an airline ticket. That could be one way to solve this issue – and perhaps put a cure for the obesity epidemic on the fast track.
14 Responses
Leave a Comment
Sign up for the Top 25 Newsletter
to get exclusive weekly deals
Popular Posts
- $37+: Las Vegas: Spring Break at the Luxor, Plus Beer and Discounts
- $104+: Anniversary Package at 4-Star San Diego Waterfront Hotel
- Southwest Airlines One-Way Flight Sale from $59
- $36+: Atlantic City Hotel on the Boardwalk, 33% Off
- Five Money Traps to Avoid When You Travel
- $119+: Las Vegas 5-Star Venetian Resort w/Extras, Save 40%
- JetBlue Launches One-Day Sale with $10 Fares
- $99+: New York City: Trendy West Village Hotel in Spring
- What Your Choice of Airplane Food Says About You
- Wave Season Cruise Deal Tips: Flash Sales and Hidden Offers
Of course it is fair! The only ones who complain are the ones who know they are too large. Airlines charge for overweight bags, tha same should apply to the obviously overweight passenger. If you don’t like the rule then quit eating and drinking to excess.And quit your crying- I don’t like to sit next to a passenger who hogs my paid for space just because they are overly large. I have rights too.
Of course it is fair! The only ones who complain are the ones who know they are too large. Airlines charge for overweight bags, tha same should apply to the obviously overweight passenger. If you don’t like the rule then quit eating and drinking to excess.And quit your crying- I don’t like to sit next to a passenger who hogs my paid for space just because they are overly large. I have rights too.
Of course it is NOT fair. The people who know they are too large are NOT the only ones to complain. I am a small lady and believe that it is discrimatory. David above thinks that if you don’t like the rule you should quit eating and drinking. Evidently he does not understand that not all overweight people are overweight because they eat too much. Everybody has rights, not just small or average size people. the seats on a plane are too small even for the average person. Most Americans are too large for the seats. Next they will be saying that if you are over 5’8″ tall you have to pay for more leg room so your knees does not push into the back of the seat in front of you. Hope you are not tall David cause if you did not like that rule you should have surgery to shorten your legs. I don’t like knees in the back of my paid for seat just because you are overly tall. Your rights do not overide others rights.
Of course it is NOT fair. The people who know they are too large are NOT the only ones to complain. I am a small lady and believe that it is discrimatory. David above thinks that if you don’t like the rule you should quit eating and drinking. Evidently he does not understand that not all overweight people are overweight because they eat too much. Everybody has rights, not just small or average size people. the seats on a plane are too small even for the average person. Most Americans are too large for the seats. Next they will be saying that if you are over 5’8″ tall you have to pay for more leg room so your knees does not push into the back of the seat in front of you. Hope you are not tall David cause if you did not like that rule you should have surgery to shorten your legs. I don’t like knees in the back of my paid for seat just because you are overly tall. Your rights do not overide others rights.
yes its very fair.been with overly fat people unfortable for both of us
yes its very fair.been with overly fat people unfortable for both of us
Airlines should charge overweight people. It is ridiculous that I have to squeeze into my seat bc someone is obese. Sorry to say Trish, but most overweight people in America these days are that way bc they over eat. If they had a medical reason for being fat, then maybe airlines could excuse that with a doctors note.
p.s. love the idea of charging people by the pound for their seat. I weight 145 and would love to fly to Seattle or San Francisco round trip on that price.
Airlines should charge overweight people. It is ridiculous that I have to squeeze into my seat bc someone is obese. Sorry to say Trish, but most overweight people in America these days are that way bc they over eat. If they had a medical reason for being fat, then maybe airlines could excuse that with a doctors note.
p.s. love the idea of charging people by the pound for their seat. I weight 145 and would love to fly to Seattle or San Francisco round trip on that price.
Maybe it’s time they went back to providing seats big enough to seat a normal person comfortably. Then this would not be such an issue. Peronally, I hope some smart lawyer starts a class action suit to force the airlines to provide decent seating. It has gotten beyond ridiculous.
Maybe it’s time they went back to providing seats big enough to seat a normal person comfortably. Then this would not be such an issue. Peronally, I hope some smart lawyer starts a class action suit to force the airlines to provide decent seating. It has gotten beyond ridiculous.
Seats big enough? Not everyone is over 300lbs! That is not a normal weight! I weigh under 200 and fit just fine into my seat. It is not about making bigger seats, it is about certain people understand that they are overweight. Like I said, if it is due to a medical condition then they should be allowed to show a doctor’s note.
Seats big enough? Not everyone is over 300lbs! That is not a normal weight! I weigh under 200 and fit just fine into my seat. It is not about making bigger seats, it is about certain people understand that they are overweight. Like I said, if it is due to a medical condition then they should be allowed to show a doctor’s note.
Of courseit is fair. Weight is the most critcal factor is cost of flying. Football teams pay more per seat than std, because the airlines knows they are much heavier than the average public. A formulae based upon height and weight would work better…it would be like paying for FedEx shipments. Under a determined size and weight would be std. price, overweight penalties, and extra charges for seats with more legroom could apply. Some airlines currently charging extra for the wing seats with exits…they have more room. Seems fair. Bigger clothes cost more, too.
Of courseit is fair. Weight is the most critcal factor is cost of flying. Football teams pay more per seat than std, because the airlines knows they are much heavier than the average public. A formulae based upon height and weight would work better…it would be like paying for FedEx shipments. Under a determined size and weight would be std. price, overweight penalties, and extra charges for seats with more legroom could apply. Some airlines currently charging extra for the wing seats with exits…they have more room. Seems fair. Bigger clothes cost more, too.
All of you have good points. I think the only fair thing to do is for the airlines to provide more comfortable seats. They have already jacked up all ticket prices, taken away several amenities that used to be provided so why not give us a break and make us all comfortable? If everyone gives a little we get a little and we can continue to travel. I believe the first airline that does this will do well. If not, I could see a boycott on flying and most of the fliers would be the ones who travel for business or international travelers.
All of you have good points. I think the only fair thing to do is for the airlines to provide more comfortable seats. They have already jacked up all ticket prices, taken away several amenities that used to be provided so why not give us a break and make us all comfortable? If everyone gives a little we get a little and we can continue to travel. I believe the first airline that does this will do well. If not, I could see a boycott on flying and most of the fliers would be the ones who travel for business or international travelers.
I’m 50/50 on the issue. If you start charging extra for people being “overweight”, where do you set your standards? Do you use a height/weight chart provided by some gov’t agency? Do you also start sectioning off the overhead bins so everyone has their fair share of carry-on space? If a woman has very large hips but falls under the weight limit, does she get a free pass? What about an average weight male with really broad shoulders? If the airline makes them pay for an extra seat, do they actually get that extra seat? If so, what happens if the plane if overbooked? There’s a lot of grey area here.
I’m 50/50 on the issue. If you start charging extra for people being “overweight”, where do you set your standards? Do you use a height/weight chart provided by some gov’t agency? Do you also start sectioning off the overhead bins so everyone has their fair share of carry-on space? If a woman has very large hips but falls under the weight limit, does she get a free pass? What about an average weight male with really broad shoulders? If the airline makes them pay for an extra seat, do they actually get that extra seat? If so, what happens if the plane if overbooked? There’s a lot of grey area here.
Ryanair decided to not go ahead with the Fat Tax because it would take too long to weigh people as they board the plane and they can not tax people via the internet since they do not know what they weigh online.
Ryanair decided to not go ahead with the Fat Tax because it would take too long to weigh people as they board the plane and they can not tax people via the internet since they do not know what they weigh online.
I think the idea is good but you need to modify it a little.
I think the idea is good but you need to modify it a little.
they shouldnt let them fly !!!
they are dangerous in case of an emergency.!!!!!
they ll cost u ur live !!!!
overweight standarts…if u cant move quick and u dont plug up the emergency exit or the ile………
they shouldnt let them fly !!!
they are dangerous in case of an emergency.!!!!!
they ll cost u ur live !!!!
overweight standarts…if u cant move quick and u dont plug up the emergency exit or the ile………
I am a frequent flyer, woman, 5’3″ and weigh 120lbs. When I bring a bag on board that doesn’t fit in the overhead, I am required to check that bag and if it doesn’t meet the airlines strict weight and measurement requirements, I must pay extra. Why shouldn’t passengers be subject to the same requirements? If you are too large (airlines should establish height and weight limits, across the board), then you must pay extra, i.e., purchase two seats. I have all too often sat next to someone who was too large for their seat and it is has always been an awful experience, for me and the over-sized person. I have been blocked in my seat, unable to get up to go to the bathroom or comfortably eat my meal. I have sat in my seat, shoved up against the window, unable to move. I have had to endure a cross-country flight with a large-size male rubbing against me, despite all my attempts to avoid contact. He was just so large he couldn’t help but press against me. I was so upset when I got off the flight that I broke down and cried. I truly believe it is as unpleasant for the large-sized person to fly as it is for those of us who must sit next to them. For everyone’s safety and comfort, the airlines need to get their act together and establish height/weight rules and regs for passengers, just as they do for baggage and then stick to it like they do for baggage (if it doesn’t fit overhead, it gets checked, if it is too heavy when it is being checked you are fined). Also, if there were such strict guidelines for passengers, then we wouldn’t have over-sized people being embarassed at the gate or after being seated. They would know, when purchasing their tickets, if they will fit in one seat, or if they had to purchase two seats. I hate to penalize anyone for being too large, but I also hate having to pay for a seat that is being overrun by another passenger. Short of all that, the airlines should reserve seats in the back of the planes for large-sized passengers. Please do not get me wrong, I have nothing against large-sized persons, I just don’t want them sitting all over me and leaning into the space I paid for and making what is already an uncomfortable situation, unbearable. Thanks for listening!
I am a frequent flyer, woman, 5’3″ and weigh 120lbs. When I bring a bag on board that doesn’t fit in the overhead, I am required to check that bag and if it doesn’t meet the airlines strict weight and measurement requirements, I must pay extra. Why shouldn’t passengers be subject to the same requirements? If you are too large (airlines should establish height and weight limits, across the board), then you must pay extra, i.e., purchase two seats. I have all too often sat next to someone who was too large for their seat and it is has always been an awful experience, for me and the over-sized person. I have been blocked in my seat, unable to get up to go to the bathroom or comfortably eat my meal. I have sat in my seat, shoved up against the window, unable to move. I have had to endure a cross-country flight with a large-size male rubbing against me, despite all my attempts to avoid contact. He was just so large he couldn’t help but press against me. I was so upset when I got off the flight that I broke down and cried. I truly believe it is as unpleasant for the large-sized person to fly as it is for those of us who must sit next to them. For everyone’s safety and comfort, the airlines need to get their act together and establish height/weight rules and regs for passengers, just as they do for baggage and then stick to it like they do for baggage (if it doesn’t fit overhead, it gets checked, if it is too heavy when it is being checked you are fined). Also, if there were such strict guidelines for passengers, then we wouldn’t have over-sized people being embarassed at the gate or after being seated. They would know, when purchasing their tickets, if they will fit in one seat, or if they had to purchase two seats. I hate to penalize anyone for being too large, but I also hate having to pay for a seat that is being overrun by another passenger. Short of all that, the airlines should reserve seats in the back of the planes for large-sized passengers. Please do not get me wrong, I have nothing against large-sized persons, I just don’t want them sitting all over me and leaning into the space I paid for and making what is already an uncomfortable situation, unbearable. Thanks for listening!
Why not have a few XXL economy seats per plane and charge extra for them while imposing a size limit for the regular economy seats?