Morbidly obese people wouldnt fit on a plane. The fact is if you cant fit in a single seat even with the extra strap you cant fly, end of story. By the way, they dont even get their money back if they are asked to leave because the seat belt doesnt fit and its not covered by travel insurance as its a pre-existing condition. THe trouble with YLC if there isnt a decent story they can mangle they rehash old stories to wind people up. This is an old story that was put to bed a long time ago becuase of the rule about seat belts. If you can fit in the seatbelt you can fly, if you can't you don't! Why attack each other over it?

They should weigh passengers with their luggage so that no embarrassment occurs. I only weigh 60kg which means I'm subsidising all the big people. It'd be nice if I could take extra baggage because I'm small.

This is a difficult problem, but nevertheless relevant IMHO. The implementation would be very difficult, even if valid. If weight on an aircraft is a major factor, why not? Maybe a doctor's certificate proving a valid reason for obesity? One of the worst flights I ever had was a domestic US flight. The guy next to me was grossly obese (even for a yank), PLUS he had very frequent & unpleasant "wind releases"!!! Anyway, fortunately I'm a slim build - it's genetic! (Thanks dad, grandpa & grandma! :-) BTW, after 5 years in the US I'm heading back to Oz mid November. I have some good friends here, but tired of all the BS in America! LOL

It may be best for airlines to be fair on total weight carried on.  weigh everything.  cabin and other luggage, and body weight with all coats which allow added things to be hidden etc.  then everyone else can have a fair shake.   the allowance should be clearly shown before buying the tickets using norms like ideal weight + baggage allowance + cabin allowance. 

The ideal weight will included all clothese worn to hide weight excess.

Then allow this as the maximum weight and give paqssengers credits if they are under weight.

eg 60 + 20 +7 = 87kg.

This will allow thinner passengers to carry on extra weight to counterbalance the heavier weights which airlines do not charge for but which are just as relevant.

 This must be internationally mandated and endorsed for general public health.

It will be hard to stifle the screams of entitled people who feel discriminated against.

But it may be better for their overall health and reduce obesity related illnesses among air travellers.

The same should be extended to say cruises, even public transport.

As well those who spread across two seats should be charged double  for squashing the nearby passengers who must put up with being quashed.

It is hard to motivate ourself and financial penalties work wonders.

Now cruises that's where lots of fatties head for. The all day eating is horrific. I think they should ban all help yourself buffets. 

Certainly agree. Should weigh and charge for overweight (say 100kg ++ passengers. I have had the misfortune a number of times to sit next to a substantial Samoan guy or a tub of lard Iskand lady, and it is very unpleasant, they bulge right into my seat, and the press of flesh stops me from sleeping on an overnight flight, or just makes it uncomfortable. I recently had that on a 6 hour flight. Most unpleaseant. Should be forced to take two seats once over 100Kg.

Certainly agree. Should weigh and charge for overweight (say 100kg ++ passengers. I have had the misfortune a number of times to sit next to a substantial Samoan guy or a tub of lard Iskand lady, and it is very unpleasant, they bulge right into my seat, and the press of flesh stops me from sleeping on an overnight flight, or just makes it uncomfortable. I recently had that on a 6 hour flight. Most unpleaseant. Should be forced to take two seats once over 100Kg.

Certainly agree. Should weigh and charge for overweight (say 100kg ++ passengers. I have had the misfortune a number of times to sit next to a substantial Samoan guy or a tub of lard Iskand lady, and it is very unpleasant, they bulge right into my seat, and the press of flesh stops me from sleeping on an overnight flight, or just makes it uncomfortable. I recently had that on a 6 hour flight. Most unpleaseant. Should be forced to take two seats once over 100Kg.

Certainly agree. Should weigh and charge for overweight (say 100kg ++ passengers. I have had the misfortune a number of times to sit next to a substantial Samoan guy or a tub of lard Iskand lady, and it is very unpleasant, they bulge right into my seat, and the press of flesh stops me from sleeping on an overnight flight, or just makes it uncomfortable. I recently had that on a 6 hour flight. Most unpleaseant. Should be forced to take two seats once over 100Kg.

Well said Ted. Some of these old backward fossils get off on trying to annoy and hurt fellow members.

Years ago when I was known to be a bit of a dickhead & larrikan motor bike owner, tearing around annoying the dickens outa the local old farts, we smaller bike owners would refer to the big bikes as 'big pigs' due to those bikes weight. We slightly built fellas couldn't own a big pig cos the sheer weight of em relative to our size made it damn near impossible for us to stand them upright if - generally whilst doing something stupid - we came off and laid the bike down in the process. In this vein I also recall a (former) coach owner/driver whose specialty was 'seniors tours' referring to his vehicle as a "cattle truck" - draw your own conclusions.

The taxation rate increases the more one earns.                                                                          Bigger/flasher dwellings attract higher council rates.                                                                    Motor vehicles weight/engine size determines rego costs. (more big/bang, more bucks)                  Most consumables value is determined by weight - pay more to get more.                            Excess utility consumption, eg; electricity, gas, water, attract higher charges relative to averages.    If you walk more than your peers then expect to wear out more pairs of shoes.

I could ramble on ad nauseum, ad infinatum and I'm sure others might have a few suggestions of their own so best to leave it at that. Needless to say, most will have twigged the gist of my message, ie - almost without exception - costs or charges generally reflect volume/size/weight.

Does it follow that pregnant women should pay more ? Fly by night and save. 

If seated next to an overweight person, complain to the head honco who may look  fairly young to our older eyes, and say you have paid for a seat and you would like to use all of it and not a portion.  I have done this on a few occasions and been moved.

Cabin baggage, booked baggage and passenger weights should all be taken into account when airline charges are calculated.  My wife and I frequently suffer excess baggage charges (we love to shop when o/s) while watching other passengers load up their cabin allowances with multiple bags and boxes and squeeze their rotund selves into seats overflowing onto adjoining seats.  This is not about 'fat shaming', it is simply that the price paid should reflect the costs of flight which includes wear and tear on seats as well as clear relationship between tare and fuel consumed by the aircraft.

While I can agree that excessively obese passengers should be made to buy either 2 seats or be provided with extra large (higher paid) seats, it is funny to note most comments do not criticise the Airlines who make these ridiculously narrow seats and with limited legspace! How they have brain-washed people to fight each other instead of the provider of these services!

Leon: We need Airlines to provide reasonable width for all seats (say 25% more than now in Economy) and a bit of extra leg room in front. Also, with hard seat-backs to prevent seat-kickers annoying passengers in front of them.