My wife and I are the same height- 5'10". However, she has longer legs and finds most airlines have inadequate leg-room. So, yes, I believe seats are far too small for average N. Americans.<BR>About first class - I think 80% of first class are paid for by their company - thus demonstrating money is no object when you don't have to pay yourself. 19% are probably FF upgrades, and 1% are willing and able to pay the first class rate. Airlines have very well judged the "what the market will bear" against large corporations. We can only hope that the current economic downturn helps moderate the first class prices.<BR>I would suggest that most people should emphasize their disability to insist on their rights. For example, you might suffer an attack of severe arthritis in the shoulder that requires the armrest to be down for relief... and insist on it.<BR>

I believe this is something like a 20yr old policy with Southwest, and it was only mentioned in a memo recently as a reminder. The memo was not even about this subject. Most the other airlines have the same policy...so why all the flack. I don't like the crowded seats in coach either....but I understand why it is done....pure economics! As for Southwest...it is still the best,best fares. most consistant, safe, on time, relaxed and most reliable piloted airline there is.<BR>(we don't like their boarding policy of no assigned seats either...but hey, it works for them, their flights are usually full, prices good, friendly employees and they always "get you there safely" , and almost always<BR> on time! American Airlines has an extra couple of inches in their seat pitch on most planes in coach and we found it to be very noticable and nice.

So what happens if an overweight person, who has purchased one ticket, gets to the check in counter and the airline person says, "I'm sorry, but you will need to buy an extra seat", but it turns out the flight is full. Does the overweight person not get to fly? That doesn't seem fair.

Curous, if the guidelines are communicated correctly and clearly the person will know if they have to have a seat belt extender. OR they could have a sizer like they do for carryons.<BR>

I suppose you'll have to give your height and weight along with your credit card number when booking tickets from now on.

Don't worry Fodorite's sandi is just off her meds gain..She has a FAT COMPLEX..<BR><BR>She just has to show up once in awhile when they release her from the physic unit

Maurice I work for American Airlines, most of the people that you see in First Class are FF upgrades. Very rarely do we see a full fare passenger...as a flight attendant I can look at manifest and I can tell who upgraded and who paid..

As Americans get more and more obese, it is up to the airlines of the world to keep widening the seats to fit our wide asses. While you're at it, widen the doors to the plane and expand the size of the commodes in the bathrooms.

Funny how it was ok when certain airlines took out rows to give us more much needed leg room. Why can't they now just take a seat out of each row? Aren't the airlines supposed to be in a customer service industry?

Actually, I have to thank Southwest for giving us a new euphemism. Now instead of saying that my brother-in-law is “big boned”, we say “well, he pays double on Southwest”.

karen- tho this might have already been pointed out... there are some conditions that occur within the human body that you have no control over... ever heard of hypothyriodism? my mother sure has... and while she isn't a 300 lber she's still roughly 80 lbs larger than she should be... and that's on a strict diet that excludes any sweets, includes many vegetables, and has her on so many diff thyroid meds that it isn't funny... diet isn't helping her, exercise isn't shedding the weight... face it- some americans do have health conditions that they have no control over... and for the record... I do agree that someone who is seriously coming out of their seat and can not buckle their belt without an extender do need to pay for two seats... last time I checked you pay for what you get- or in this case use

those of you with the smoking thing- i invite all of you to witness me turn blue in teh face when in a room full of smoking smokers

for Barb who had to go and start a new thread on this 20 yr old policy of swa.<BR>

If you are too fat to fit in one seat, you should have to buy two seats, so sorry if it hurts anyones feelings, but come to grips, if your ass is too wide I don't want it overflowing on my side. I am 6'4 and 245, I fit in the seat, just not enough leg room, I would pay more for the extra leg room. I would not look for the ACLU to fight my battles.

Airlines gharge you if you have overweight luggage. Next time I demand that I and my luggage will be weighed together. Then that fatso next to me whose luggage weight is in acceptable brackets gets weighed together with her bags. Then we compare and see who has overweight.

Having been a flight attendant for 28 years, I have seen many large people shareing the seat of the others on their sides. I know it must be very painful for overweight people to have to endure this hardship on top of weight problems. It is also unfair for the poor people who are shareing their seats with them. Should they have to pay less because they are only getting part of a seat? Does anyone have any constructive ideas? Another question. Do you think people who book flights and don't bother to cancell should have to pay a penalty? Would this possibly stop airlines from overbooking? Do you think people should carry on bags that they cannot handle themselves?

I feel very strongly that there should be a 24-hr. cancellation policy such that those who do not cancel at least 24 hrs. ahead of time should have to pay full fare.<BR><BR>As to figuring out who should pay for 2 seats -- how on EARTH are they going to enforce that if the person booking the seat doesn't request the double-wide at the time of the reservation?<BR><BR>Are we all going to have our length, depth, and width measured and if the total dimensions exceed a certain number, we have to be checked with baggage? Or do we have to swear to a hip-circumference measurement at the time of booking? I'm small enough to fit in the seat just fine, in fact so small that the curves of the "lumbar support" in those seats and the neck rest hit me just wrong and I am terribly uncomfortable. I think I should be reimbursed for not taking up enough space.

&lt;&lt;Do you think people who book flights and don't bother to cancell should have to pay a penalty?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>You have to be kidding. Those people already DO pay a huge penalty. It's called an unrestricted fare. Most other people pay 100% cancellation penalty if theyt no-show with the rampant number of non-refundable fares.<BR><BR>I don't think that over-booking is all due to full fare flying passengers. It's also due to re-booked passengers, who DO pay a fee for re-scheduling.<BR>

What is wrong with making people pay for the space that they occupy. I do not want the obese in my seat. I paid for the seat width and I intend to occupy it without the arm rest up. <BR><BR>I would also go for denied boarding for those who haven't had a shower in a week. An overseas flight next to a smelly passenger is quite uncomfortable.<BR><BR>As far as the smokers: sure let them smoke, just make them go outside to do it.

If you go to a restauarant and eat two steaks, you expect to pay for them don't you? If you take up two seats, then you should pay for them. Why should I pay for your seat if you are taking up some of my seat? <BR><BR>Babies don't have to pay as long as they sit on their parent's laps. Parents must pay for babies sitting in seats. Same should go for large people - if you take up more than a seat, you should purchase a second ticket.<BR><BR>It's economics. It is just so simple. One ticket, one seat. Take up two seats, you need two tickets.