Overweight travellers should pay extra, survey suggests
Poll: Overweight travellers should pay extra, survey suggests
Total Members Polled: 184
Discussion
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/79118...
Telegraph said:
Overweight air passengers should be made to pay for an extra seat on flights, a survey of holidaymakers has indicated.
Men were more concerned than women about obese fellow travellers, the poll of 6,000 people by price comparison site TravelSpec.com found.
As many as 75% of men and 68% of women believed that overweight passengers should pay double.
The poll also found that babies crying and restless passengers were also aggravating for UK travellers. Asked who they would least like to sit next to on a flight, 67% said people with body odour.
Despite reported discomfort while flying, only 13% of those polled said they would pay to upgrade to first class.
TravelSpec.com managing director Rafi Neumann said: ''At a time when people are less financially secure and holidays have become very precious, British travellers look forward to a relaxing experience.
''The majority of passengers don't have the budget to upgrade to business or first-class seats and consequently have to forego comfort on flights, often resulting in a stressful start and end to their holiday.
''If overweight people are thrown into the mix, you can see why travellers feel that they should pay for the extra space they take up.''
Well? Fair or no? Men were more concerned than women about obese fellow travellers, the poll of 6,000 people by price comparison site TravelSpec.com found.
As many as 75% of men and 68% of women believed that overweight passengers should pay double.
The poll also found that babies crying and restless passengers were also aggravating for UK travellers. Asked who they would least like to sit next to on a flight, 67% said people with body odour.
Despite reported discomfort while flying, only 13% of those polled said they would pay to upgrade to first class.
TravelSpec.com managing director Rafi Neumann said: ''At a time when people are less financially secure and holidays have become very precious, British travellers look forward to a relaxing experience.
''The majority of passengers don't have the budget to upgrade to business or first-class seats and consequently have to forego comfort on flights, often resulting in a stressful start and end to their holiday.
''If overweight people are thrown into the mix, you can see why travellers feel that they should pay for the extra space they take up.''
+1Dr_Gonzo said:
More weight = more fuel = more cost
Therefore a person's weight allowance should be the combined weight of them and their luggage.
Appears to make sense. Men typically weigh more, women tend to pack more, so it should balance out. Therefore a person's weight allowance should be the combined weight of them and their luggage.
Saying that, I'm fat, and having to go on holiday with just a thong would probably cause more outrage than taking up more than my fair share of the arm rest...
There should be a simple test. If the passenger can fit comfortably between the arms rests of the seat then no problem. If they can't then they need to buy an extra ticket.
(Note... This does not mean that Ryanair can adjust the seats to fit anorexic 16 year olds and thus charge even more than they currently do.)
(Note... This does not mean that Ryanair can adjust the seats to fit anorexic 16 year olds and thus charge even more than they currently do.)
Targarama said:
rhinochopig said:
I disagree. Where do you draw a line. Why should I be penalised for being very tall when there is nothing I can do about that - 6'5" and a 16 stone. I'm already penalised enough when it comes to leg room.
I'm 6ft 5 and 13 stone. Now do you pay more than me? 
What about if your BMI was on your passport - you can then be charged according to how much of a heffer you are (and should therefore prevent those who are tall from being penalised)
Either that, or there should be demo seats (like you get at a theme park) in the check-in lounge - if you don't fit in one, get your cheque book out fatty!
Either that, or there should be demo seats (like you get at a theme park) in the check-in lounge - if you don't fit in one, get your cheque book out fatty!
Yes.
Eg:
Why should a 180kg fatty with a 20kg bag (200kg combined) not pay more than a 60kg woman with a 22kg case (82kg combined, who then gets 'fined' £8 - £16 for the additional two kgs in her luggage?).
Mr Fat-Arse weighs more than twice the total weight of the woman and her 'overweight' bag combined.. yet he pays less?? WTF!!
Eg:
Why should a 180kg fatty with a 20kg bag (200kg combined) not pay more than a 60kg woman with a 22kg case (82kg combined, who then gets 'fined' £8 - £16 for the additional two kgs in her luggage?).
Mr Fat-Arse weighs more than twice the total weight of the woman and her 'overweight' bag combined.. yet he pays less?? WTF!!
I voted yes, but can see it may well affect me.
At 6'4 and 110kgs I am classed as obese on a standard BMI scale.
Having a 34" waist I'd suggest I am not obese.
Can I fit in an airline seat? Yes, easily, as long as there is adequate leg room.
Can anyone sit next to me?
Yes and no, on short trips it isn't too bad, long haul has been more of a problem, my shoulders tend to piss people off.
At 6'4 and 110kgs I am classed as obese on a standard BMI scale.
Having a 34" waist I'd suggest I am not obese.
Can I fit in an airline seat? Yes, easily, as long as there is adequate leg room.
Can anyone sit next to me?
Yes and no, on short trips it isn't too bad, long haul has been more of a problem, my shoulders tend to piss people off.
davemac250 said:
I voted yes, but can see it may well affect me.
At 6'4 and 110kgs I am classed as obese on a standard BMI scale.
Having a 34" waist I'd suggest I am not obese.
Can I fit in an airline seat? Yes, easily, as long as there is adequate leg room.
Can anyone sit next to me?
Yes and no, on short trips it isn't too bad, long haul has been more of a problem, my shoulders tend to piss people off.
I'd have no problems with you as long as you had no problem with my resting my head on your shoulders and having a nice sleep. I find econoairline seats horrible to sleep on.At 6'4 and 110kgs I am classed as obese on a standard BMI scale.
Having a 34" waist I'd suggest I am not obese.
Can I fit in an airline seat? Yes, easily, as long as there is adequate leg room.
Can anyone sit next to me?
Yes and no, on short trips it isn't too bad, long haul has been more of a problem, my shoulders tend to piss people off.
chevykevv said:
Yes definately, We were squashed by a very large gentleman on our flight last year to Canada.
He kept absorbing the armrest in his fat smelly gut, It was like watching the blob.
I think someone lost a leg after a similar journey, the monster beside them overflowed onto them and cut off their circulation.He kept absorbing the armrest in his fat smelly gut, It was like watching the blob.
Bill said:
Telegraph said:
As many as 75% of men and 68% of women believed that overweight passengers should pay double.
Considering that more than 50% of the population are overweight ( Here) that seems a little shortsighted....I can see the argument - if you need two seats you should buy two seats!
Don said:
I suspect that people envisaged passengers would couldn't fit into a standard airline seat as in the picture - rather than a mild case of middle age spread.
I can see the argument - if you need two seats you should buy two seats!
Agreed, but they'll complain when Ryanair charge an extra £50 per BMI point over "normal".I can see the argument - if you need two seats you should buy two seats!
ETA And it'll put paid to my habit of wearing hiking boots and multiple coats to get through without being charged excess baggage
Edited by Bill on Tuesday 27th July 15:43
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