Should obese passengers pay for two seats? Kevin Smith drama sparks debate. What do you think?

Director Kevin Smith's dispute with Southwest Airlines after his removal from a plane over the weekend in Oakland touches on what for years has been a hot-button issue in the airline world: Should obese passengers be required to purchase two seats?

Southwest is one of numerous airlines that requires passengers who can't fit comfortably into a single seat to purchase a second seat. Some passengers have hailed this policy, saying it's unfair to them to sit next to someone who takes up part of their seat.

But there have been legal challenges and protests over such policies. Last month, Air France came under criticism for asking obese passengers to pay 75% of the costs of a second seat, forcing the airline to clarify its policy. Critics argued the plan discriminated against people because of their weight.

United Airlines started charging obese passengers for a second seat last year. According to airline officials, United has received more than 700 complaints from passengers saying obese passengers  encroached on their seats.

In Canada, the government and courts have ruled that airlines must provide "clinically obese" passengers with an extra seat for no charge. Supporters of the policy said it will allow more disabled people to travel.

In the case of Smith, the director was outraged that he was told by airline employees to leave the plane even though he insisted that he fit in his seat.

"I know I'm fat, but was [the airline] really justified in throwing me off a flight for which I was already seated?" he wrote. "I broke no regulation, offered no safety risk."

Smith said the incident took place Saturday and that he was eventually able to make it to L.A. on another Southwest flight.

Southwest issued an apology to Smith on its Twitter feed. "We are sincerely sorry for your travel experience on Southwest Airlines," the airline said in a statement.

What do you think? Should obese passengers pay for two seats? Or is that discrimination? Share your view.

--Shelby Grad

Comments

[exUnited]

This problem (airline policies/controversies regarding obese flyers) crops up regularly. An industry-wide solution should not be that difficult. I've proposed a simple solution on my blog, and I hope that Southwest is the first to implement something like this: http://bit.ly/aOGbIK

[KF]

There must be more than one way to resolve this. Bigger seats as an option would be nice-- some people need them because they are tall, and have long arms. If someone does need a second seat, and cannot afford it, maybe they could submit their tax return for financial aid?
Also, Bill Maher suggests a snack tax, which could be applied to the cause.
KF

[Barb Severn]

My husband and I flew back from Alaska some time ago. I was assigned the middle seat and my husband had an isle seat. We both are senior citizens, Tom is 6' 3" and 200 lbs. prefers an isle seat. I am 5'3" and 135 lbs. After I sat down in my seat the young lady in the window seat asked if we could keep the arm up between our seats. I said, I guess, because there was no way we could put it down. She hung over on me, My left leg was in excruciating pain, and I couldn't move. We taxied out for take off and I prayed the seat belt sign would soon go off because I couldn't stand the pain much longer. That didn't happen, so I finally got up -- tears running down my cheeks and asked the stewardess if I could have another seat. The plane was full. So I wound up in a jump seat the entire trip back home. I dread the next time we have to fly.

[gail]

Obesity is an epidemic, even childhood obesity is an epidemic. People need to take accountability for their own actions. AHA guidelines state that overweight individuals should exercise (and no that does not include walking around at work), at least 5 days out of the week. Most obese people do not do this, most obese people continue to eat larger than recommended portions, and YES they should pay for 2 seats. Keep your BMI <25 & quit blaming others.

[Brant Limple]

Yes. If the overweight person requires more space than the seat, then (s)he must pay more. The airlines aren't selling trips by person (in my opinion) they are selling space. This is why we all pay more for luggage above the 50 pound limit or whatever.