Bigger to pay more for airline seats idea

[Binx]

There is an average weight per seat, calculated into the fuel required for the plane journey. But, as a big person, I agree that if you take up two seats, on a plane you should pay for two seats & when I fly to QLD to see my Mum etc, I buy two seats.

[Heather]

I think they are making the seat s smaller anyway

...you have a point there, and less leg room as well.
When we took an inter-island flight in Hawaii (Hawaiian Airlines) the seats were so roomy and tall peoples knees did not hit the seat in front.

[crashtestwoman]

I can understand the airlines need to accuratly guage how much fuel a plane needs to fly from airport to airport, so I would think the best way to make it fair would be for a set amount for each person, say 140kgs including luggage, that way if you only weigh 70kgs you could pack 70kgs in luggage but if you weigh 120kg you could only pack 20kgs in luggage and when you got to the check in counter you would stand on a little pad in front of the counter that would discreetly display on the computer on the desk the combined weight of luggage, handheld luggage, and the person. That way it's a little bit fairer and you don't get too embarrassed and the pilot can accurately work out how much fuel he needs for the journey.
Just my opinion mind you and remember I'm not a slim person by any means.

[chickenbub]

For me personally I think it is about size not weight. If you are that large that your bottom and thighs are spilling over into my seat and I feel like I am being squashed then I think that person needs to purchase 2 seats. I shouldnt have to have a strangers bottom and thighs touching me. I am sure they would be more comfortable in 2 seats as well! It isn't about discriminating, it is about common sense and buying for your size and fit. After all if you were large you wouldn't be buying size 10 clothing and trying to squeeze yourself into them.

[Naomi]

The airlines are spinning it as an overall weight/fuel/?safety issue though, not just the discomfort of passengers. I know with some small aircraft (not large commercial airlines but little prop planes for specific trips) they will weigh people and their luggage because it is genuine safety issue re the overloading.

You know what's funny though, I heard this story and thought "that would actually motivate me to lose weight"

[Naomi]

LOL Deb, I'm just trying to imagine how much 70kg of luggage would be! We rarely pack that much between the 4 of us, I can't imagine what a hassle it would be to lug it around in transit.

[cayte]

maybe they should just make all seats a little roomier, so everyone has some breathing space. They are just darn uncomfortable. I am pretty short and feel like i have no leg room, imagine if you are actually tall.

[Ted E Bear]

Yes but if they did that cayte, less passengers would fit on the plane and so flight prices would go up - not sure if we want that either.

Of course if you really want to you can go business class on long flights but is much much dearer - part of what you are paying for is the roomier space.

[Stormy]

I remember watching an episode of Air Crash Investigations where the plane crashed because it was overloaded with weight. They were using the same calculations from about five decades ago when people were smaller in all senses. They were calculating the average person's weight at 60kg from memory and did not account for extra cabin baggage weight due to duty free shopping. Of course a lot of people now weigh more than 60kg, not just overweight but perfectly trim/normal body weight for height individuals. So the plane crashed because it was carrying more than four times the weight it should have been for the calculations that they had used. I can't remember what year that plane crashed but they did make the comment at the end that the calculations are now based on a much higher weight per individual and they now allow for excess cabin baggage.

So from that POV, I have no problem with it at all. I'm no tiny person either.