Should Fat People Pay More?

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en by Louise /  Louise Sandager, 20. Apr 2009


Photo: Colros

Ryan Air, the European low-cost giant, is considering introducing a ‘fat tax’ on overweight passengers. The idea comes from a recent poll, where the airline asked its customers what the next ‘tax’ or fee could be.

More than 40 per cent of the 45,000 voters were in favour of a ‘fat tax’, charging people who don’t fit a normal seat. The idea of a 'fat tax' has long been an aviation taboo. Yet as the business model of charging for 'extras' - bulkhead seats, checked-in bags, meals and drinks - is now so ingrained, charging passengers by weight is rising back up the agenda, writes the Times Online.

In the US several air carriers have already made overweight passengers pay more. As of last Wednesday, passengers on United Airlines, who are too large to fit comfortably in a coach seat, may be required to buy a second ticket or upgrade to business class, where seats are larger.


Photo by Mahali

United Airlines said it decided to adopt the tougher policy after receiving more than 700 complaints last year from passengers "who did not have a comfortable flight because the person next to them infringed on their seat," spokeswoman Robin Urbanski says to Los Angeles Times.

United's flight attendants, who will have the delicate task of enforcing the new policy, have traditionally sought to accommodate, free of charge, passengers who spill over their seats. That hasn't changed.

"We'll first try to re-accommodate you on another seat on the flight," Urbanski says. "If the flight is full, and that's not often the case these days, you'll be bumped from the flight." If this occurs, passengers will be forced to find a flight with open seating, buy two seats or pay for an upgrade to a class of service with wide seats

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Louise