Do you think it's right that fat passengers should pay more?

1. 69

   Flightkeeperposted 11 years ago

   Do you think it's right that fat passengers should pay more?
   
   Dr. Bharat Bhatta from Fjordane University College in Norway says charging overweight flyers more would help the airlines to recoup the extra expense from having to burn off more jet fuel.  If passengers lie about their weight they should have to pay the fat fare and a penalty.  That's kind of mean.  It just makes flying so much more of a hassle, especially for women.  I would hate to declare how much I weigh.  Not that I'm overweight but I still don't want people to know how much I weigh.

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2. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   If a person cannot fit into (one) seat they should pay more taking up more room. I don't think the security team will have a problem looking at someone and sending them back to the ticket counter. It's the same thing with people trying to bring large carry on bags onboard a plane. The flight attendants usually set those bags aside. It would not surprise if one day they started charging additional fees for people who did not check in oversize luggage prior to boarding.

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3. 73

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   There is one problem with that. I don't think that rule should apply for individuals who are overweight because of medical conditions or problems. Otherwise, I entirely agree. It might encourage a couple of people to lose a few pounds before flying. I don't know if you've seen some of the people in Texas, but there are a lot of overweight individuals here. There is no way I want to sit next to them while flying. I'm paranoid enough.

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   1. 64

      cfinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think it is to encourage good health. It is a fair business practice. The cost of that persons weight on board an aircraft should not be disbursed evenly among all passengers.

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   2. 73

      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know it is mainly not for that purpose, but that might be an extra factor.

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4. 64

   cfinposted 11 years ago

   Or the alternative - Is it right that average passengers should have to pay more because overweight passengers are over weight? Its not about the size of the seat. The plane has to be altered and balanced depending on the amount of passengers and luggage, taking into account weight. This takes time and money. If the overweight members of society don't pay the difference, then everyone else will have to. Resource: My wife worked for an airline for her entire career.

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5. 95

   Sue Adamsposted 11 years ago

   With the progression of the obesity pandemic planes will soon be full to the rim with obese people and crash from overload. Passengers should be weighed at check-in, just like their luggage. If they exceed the norm, they should pay extra for a larger seat provided by airlines in a special "big people section" of the plane. The price would be higher than tourist class but lower than first class.

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