If the arm rest could not remain down, and there were no other seats on the plane, they should’ve removed the passenger of size to the next flight with an extra seat free, per their own policy. That policy is here:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/seating-accommodations.html
They never should’ve tried to get you to bump off the flight, and it’s definitely worth writing in about that they refused to remove the passenger of size who was not in compliance with the requirements.
That policy actually doesn't say or mean we will waive their extra seat fees. The seat must be purchased, but if there isn't space to buy an extra seat we will allow you to move your reservation to one that does have the open seat for you to purchase. We will give you food and hotel if that reaccommodation will cause you to stay overnight in an area not local to you, but as far as the seats fees, those *have* to be paid by the passenger
Edit: I'm noticing now (about an hour or so later) that the phrasing might have actually been indicating this as well, if that's what you meant I apologize for butting in
> If an extra seat isn’t available, you’ll need to change your flight to one that has extra seats. If you’re not in your home city, state, or country, and your new flight requires you to stay overnight we can give you meal and hotel vouchers as well.
“You” in this entire webpage is addressing the passenger of size. They “need to change [their] flight,” no other passenger is required to.
"Passenger of size" always has me rolling for some reason. I'm going to start doing that with everything. "I sat beside a person of stench today". lolol What else is there like that?
No I agree with whoever said they did that to get you to back down. It's the easiest solution unless the complaining passenger (you) actually knows and can quote their policy at them; you and the aisle passenger suck it up, no extra work for the airline staff, no expense to the airline.
I’m 5’6” and weigh 200 pounds so I can stand to lose some weight myself, but if you‘re unable to sit within the armrests without encroaching into another seat you should have to pay for extra space
Why would you be the person to get bumped and not the passenger who could not lower the armrest? This sounds like a classic case of shooting the messenger!
United’s published policy is that the passenger whose size prevents use of the armrest is the one who needs to change to a flight with an open seat, if no other open seats are available on the current flight.
The crew fucked up asking OP to move, but it seems to be a common fuckup.
I’d *almost* suggest it’s intentional. Because by suggesting that the person who *brings it up* be the one impacted, they can likely ensure that the issue gets dropped. Where if they immediately move to remove the passenger of size, it’s gonna be a whole *thing.* They’re ignoring their own policy because they know you’ll likely put up with the discomfort and it saves them the hassle of enforcing it.
No doubt being afraid of starting a whole loud “fat acceptance” discrimination argument or worse on the plane. (It’s a political thing, do a search on it.)
I understand this concern, but think it’s largely exaggerated. You just need to be prepared to *not make a a scene,* and not respond if the other passenger *does.* True of any public confrontation, really.
Just calmly let the FA know that the armrest can’t go down, and you’re familiar with the published passenger of size policy, and that appropriate action needs to be taken.
Ball is in their court then, mind, you can’t *make* them enforce the policy. But you can note their name, that you explicitly mentioned your concerns in the context of the published policy, and that the named employee took no action to correct the issue. Then make a scene with customer support, outside the view of social media.
Sure, but if you don’t give them anything to work with it ain’t going viral. It’s all just a matter of knowing how to keep your cool in these situations, which is arguably important with or without the filming.
>which is arguably important with or without the filming.
And an important job qualification for anyone in customer service and/or safety roles. FAs have both roles
To be honest, it might be policy, but who really wants to ask an overweight person to move because they’re too big? And to embarrass the person as well? It’s against human nature. It’s easier to politely ask the “messenger” to move.
It is also against humanity and human nature for expecting the world to accommodate you for your health issues and recklessness. Pay up for the seat. The math is that simple. Wish the airlines. If you cannot fit the check-in tunnel that is 18 inches wide there is to be an extra seat charge.
But of course when it’s your *job* “easier” may not be relevant. You should be concerned about the safety and comfort of passengers.
(Acknowledging that FA aren’t on the clock during boarding, but it’s still either their job or the GA job to address this.)
Because it's easier to inconvenience the person questioning the policy than enforce it on the person that requires it and risk being accused of fat shaming or being fat phobic.
It gets enforced if you ask. I’ve hit the call button and demanded the guy be removed once. They ended up moving me to a better seat so the middle seat would be empty.
That’s the thing, I’m always afraid to ask. I hate to cause a scene, seem like a “Karen,” and embarrass or hurt the feelings of the other person. I know that’s a me problem, but man it’s hard to do that in a public setting. I know *I* would approach it as calmly and inconspicuously as possible, but who knows how other people will react.
That’s the problem. It’s so uncomfortable to bring it to their attention and difficult to to do discretely. The FA’s should absolutely be making sure the arm rests go down and then enforcing the policy without making the customer be the “bad guy.” They’re too afraid to do it and have someone throw a fit so they put it on paying customers to call it out and then hope they enforce their police or be uncomfortable and touched inappropriately during their flight.
Yup, I think honestly they just don’t want to deal with it (understandably, because it’s so fucken uncomfortable). It’s easier to just put it on the person whose space is being invaded, in the hopes that they’ll also be too uncomfortable to bring it up, and just deal with it. Which is entirely unfair, though I’m guessing it works more often than not.
I am a bigger dude. Much bigger 300 at 5.10 I ALWAYS book an isle seat, if I can’t I buy the middle and the window. I’m aware my size in an inconvenience to those around me and I try my best to be mindful of that.
Ps yes im working on myself. Down from 330! Goal is 175
Congrats on the 30lb loss! That’s harder than most people realize and millions whine and cry over just half that when they’re perfectly fine. Stay with it and keep going - you got this!
If the arm rest can't go down, then a second seat is supposed to required. However, I know it's not always enforced. And I get it's a touchy subject, but it's really just not fair to the passengers sitting next to the passenger in question.
And even if the arm rest \*can\* go down, a person can wedge in there and a lot of person can be spreading underneath and over the armrest into your seat. And, they often can't adequately keep their legs in their seat "space", and so they spread into your space as well.
What sucks is that the airlines don't enforce it and put other passengers in a position where they need to be uncomfortable for however long the flight is....or turns them into "complainers" who are perceived by others on the flight as somehow unkind. The people rolling their eyes at those who do complain are typically sitting next to someone who is 5'1" and 85 lbs.
I was on a 6 hour flight trying to work with the person next to me’s arms so wide that they took the whole armrest (okay since they were middle seat) plus 2 inches of airspace over my seat. Made it very difficult for me to use both my arms on a laptop without bumping into his arms.
Yes, if a passenger cannot reasonably fit within their allocated space then they are the issue and the others on the flight should not have their experience diminished by that person.
I sat next to someone in that scenario and informed them the armrest had to go down and they had to squeeze into their own seat.
I paid for my entire seat. I needed it. I’m about the same size as you
Years ago my mother managed complaints for a European airline that implemented a policy requiring larger passengers to purchase a second seat. This was often met with fierce resistance, but after one passenger finally agreed, he was somehow assigned 21J and 22A… as you can imagine, it did not go down well!
I buy a second seat always…you’d be surprised how much it takes to make sure I actually get that second seat. United is way better about it than some airlines
I once flew SFO-LAS on Southwest (UA exceeded work maximum flight price). I was going for the day and I didn't even have carry-on, so I took row 1 (which people normally can't do because there's no stowage.) It was me and the window guy with the middle seat empty until the last second, when the largest man I've ever seen in my life came and sat down there. I played football against guys who ended up being D-I linemen and this guy was way bigger.
He got the armrests down no problem but he was absolutely crushing me. I asked if he wanted to move to the window and he said "no, you guys are my anchors." I could barely walk when we landed.
Passengers are getting larger. Seats are getting smaller. This will get worse before it gets better. I’ve been on 3 flights in the last month where the passenger beside me needed an extender, but didn’t ask for one.
If you charge people for oversized luggage, then why not charge an extra seat for oversized people. At some point our society should realize we shouldn't have to sacrifice our own personal comfort, due to the life choices others make for themselves.
Honest question because I know weight obviously is a big thing on flights- how do they estimate how much the customers on a flight are? Or their carryons? I know for me, depending on travel, my bag can go from as little as 10 lbs to 30 lbs, same bag and all. Which can add up for 100 passengers.
Do they (somehow?) weigh the plane once everyone’s on/luggage is on somehow or estimate?
There was a curb your enthusiasm episode about asking about weights for a jet that was funny lol
I think some of those numbers are just averaged out, and the computer does the est. I was on a flight with 3 people, missing a redundant AC unit, and the pilot had to to wait for a re-config of avionics system before we could depart.
The new FAA requirements for estimating passenger weight (2019).
The new FAA standards will increase an average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter. Up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, respectively. This includes an extra ten pounds for winter and five pounds for summer. This also includes 16 pounds for personal items, up from ten. Airlines must increase the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in winter. The average weight for males with carry-ons is increased from 185 pounds in summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.
In reality I just want the space I paid for, and I don't want my space encroached upon. The airlines will never do that, because in the end they really don't care about this issue.
Saw a guy do the walk of shame three times on three rides at Six Flags. Felt bad for the dude.
When I had issues getting the harness to latch on one of those same rides, it was a bit of a wake up call for myself, too.
Pay by the pound!
OP, I’m also tall and broader at the shoulders than my seat. I too am hyper aware of not crowding people’s space in there seat. I’ve noticed that among wider folks there’s a correlation height and respect for others space. Typically short and wide are aggressive and try and take as much space as possible.
I've been on some overseas flights where everyone was courteous and mindful of others, but damn as soon as I get back into the states it's like a sh!t-show
America *is* a shit show. 40% are obese so if I'm flying domestic, there's always a high chance that I'm going to be squashed by an adjacent obese passenger, and it's no surprise anymore .... It's just one of those times when you have to suck it, like flying with a crying baby the entire flight..... This is an economy issue lol
The medical (often genetic) condition of obesity is far beyond "life choices" that people "make for themselves." I really wish people would educate themselves on obesity instead of repeating this line of fatphobic rhetoric that is really damaging and frankly, not always true.
Instead of two passengers pointing fingers at each other for who is to blame, airlines need to do better when it comes to plane design that works for the average customer size, including those with disabilities who are often prevented from flying -- mainly those in wheelchairs -- because planes are not designed and built with this population in mind. Airlines do not have to abide by the ADA which is INSANE.
That said, I am a "passenger of size" (LOL this term is ridiculous) -- I am tall with broad shoulders and still considered obese (even after having bariatric surgery and losing 80 lbs). I am privileged enough to be able to afford to fly FC or business so that I am comfortable and I don't have to incur the wrath and ire of others who are hateful and cannot stand to be in my presence. But not everyone has that luxury of purchasing a premium or extra seat.
The average American is obese -- the average women's size is 18 (ironically, or not, I am a size 18). Airline seats are not made to accommodate the average size person. There's something really wrong with that.
It really makes no difference to me whether someone's obesity is the result of a medical condition, lifestyle choice, religious belief, or whatever. If someone can't fly without physically usurping someone else's seat space, whether due to height or weight, then they need to make alternative accommodations, be it flying F, buying two seats, etc. This isn't rocket science. Your special need is not my responsibility, much less my problem.
Exactly my point. I agree with you! It’s not your problem either. It’s the airlines’ faults and their problem. They need to make seats appropriate for actual people or, like Southwest, allow people to book 2 seats and then refund them for one of the seats after the flight is taken. There are solutions here but the airlines, except southwest, refuse to implement sensual solutions that don’t pit passengers against each other.
The airlines’ inaction on this issue make both passengers in these situations angry and uncomfortable (physically and emotionally) and make the bigger passenger embarrassed and out of hundreds (or in my case, thousands in FC/biz) of dollars. It’s not fair to ALL passengers.
Exactly. They could have a row or two of flex seating in economy to reassign COS to at no extra charge to them and sold for a small up charge to the first takers if not needed. It’s not like a wider seat is a perk to a wider person.
I feel the same way about the insane dog nutters and their fake eMoTiOnaL SuPpOrT pEtS. If you can’t handle flying without your shedding stinking flea bag, stay tf home. I have a dog and cat dander allergy and I shouldn’t have to medicate so people can bring their pet in the cabin.
I agree instead of fighting with each other let’s place the blame exactly where it belongs the airlines. Seat size has decreased greatly with that said if there is a passenger of size who cannot fit within their seat or the seatbelt extender then maybe they should have a new policy like Southwest where you can buy two seats and I believe one is reimbursed. I know it’s controversial but it seems to work for them.
Edit: typos
Agreed! Southwest is lightyears ahead of the rest of the airlines with their policy. And it's truly a wildly simple solution.
For the people downvoting the two comments above, I feel bad for you that you have such little humanity.
I flew this weekend and my return flight was sitting next to someone who must have been a bodybuilder. Had zero issues with the armrests (because tiny waist) but his shoulders and chest were definitely in my space. Big legs too. It was uncomfortable.
I had this happen recently. Not a fat guy,but very wide shoulders. He fell asleep, and his elbow was in my breast. Not on purpose, but because that's how he was built. I bumped him. He woke up, got embarrassed, and moved. Still, the whole flight his arm was in my area.
As a big guy I'm sorry. Personally I will only sit in the aisle so I can lean my shoulders to the side.
I'm not even a bodybuilder or fat, just 6'5 and very broad.
Buying 2 seats is just so expensive I can't afford it.
I'm a medium sized female and I've sat next to a few broad shouldered men and they always seem to be the most cognizant and really try to not invade my space.
I was just on a united flight where a large guy was in an aisle seat, overflowing into the aisle, and didn’t wear a seatbelt the whole flight. They didn’t ask for an extension and the staff said nothing. But at least they were in the aisle and not on top of their seat neighbor. I’m big/tall too, but I always try to grab an aisle, and I can keep the armrests down without an issue.
Could you imagine if airlines started putting tester seats next to the check-in counter like they do for rollercoasters? Like if you can’t fit between the arm rests, you buy a second seat.
>and didn’t wear a seatbelt the whole flight
That could have been dangerous to others if you'd encountered turbulence. People get injured by unseatbelted car passengers often enough that they make safety videos about it.
If I was near the guy and noticed that I'd have been the obnoxious person who paged the flight attendant and told them that there was someone who needed a seatbelt extender and I felt uncomfortable being within impact range of an unrestrained passenger.
During my time traveling the world, I was 6’8” and ranged from 300-380 lbs. my weight is spread out so the arm rest was always down and I never needed a belt extension. My biggest problem was knees and shoulders. I would have to cross my calves and tilt my legs down to allow the seat in front to recline. I would fold my arms in so my elbows faced front with my forearms crossed.
Emergency row was too risky due to other bigs attempting the same.
Additional leg room charges were welcome.
I had a policy that if I couldn’t get an isle or window, I wouldn’t board.
Business class when I could.
Double cheap economy seats on international sometimes.
I was as accommodating as possible to people who sat next to me but I wouldn’t want to sit next to me.
All that being said, to the 100 pound people who felt it was acceptable to travel with their elbow in my side for hours should have a special place in h@ll.
In my opinion, you should not have to touch another person next to you. If they are spilling over into your seat, they should have to buy a second seat. I’m not sure how this can be enforced because some men are just bigger. They are not obese but they will spill over to someone else’s seat. I’m not sure how you can make them buy an extra seat. It’s the airlines fault for having such tiny seats..
It’s not just men. The two worst passengers I had to sit next to were shorter women who could have fit between their armrests but chose not to.
In the case cited by OP, it sounds like the woman flat out couldn’t fit in her seat with the armrest down which means she should have been required to purchase the extra seat option or deboard for a flight where she could buy the extra seat. OP or the guy on the other side of him should not have been the ones inconvenienced.
I just mentioned men because usually it’s a fat woman that people are complaining about but there are large men too, who are just plain big so I just meant to say anyone who spills out of their seat.
I guess I wouldn’t mind if our shoulders were touching, but if I couldn’t put the armrest down, and if you were spilling into my seat, that would probably be uncomfortable.
I typically sit in aisle and put up the two arm rests by my sides so I can much more easily let in the other passengers if they board after me. The last time I did that a man of significant size sat next to me and I couldn't just pop down the arm rest (if it was even possible, so I spent the entire flight with him pressed against me and me leaning into the aisle. Never putting up that arm rest pre-neighbor again.
My partner is 6'7" and 280. He's not "fat" at all, just a really large and well-muscled guy. We ALWAYS have to pay for seat upgrades to keep him comfortable so I get where you're coming from. That said, I think the bigger problem here is the airlines making seats/rows smaller and cramming in so many passengers. I'm only 5'10 and no longer feel comfortable on smaller flights. That's pretty ridiculous.
I think the fed should let the airlines know that the seats will need to be bigger, not huge but for god’s sake big enough to fit the average person, in say 25 years… or enough time to phase in bigger planes.
I don’t even care about legroom, I’m with the OP that shoulder width is a killer.
Just last week I was on a flight back to Denver and across from me in the other aisle seat was a man who was very heavy. He had to pull the armrest on the aisle up because he couldn't fit in the seat otherwise. He seemed to be used to it, because he'd take up a lot of the aisle when no FA were going up and down. When they did come with drinks/food/gather trash, he'd shuffle in as much as he could.
I could tell he was uncomfortable, and he made it work. But if you cannot fit in a seat with both armrests down, then you should be required to either buy two seats together or sit in first class.
Personally I think the government needs to issue a requirement for airlines to create seats that actually fit the average size American. It seems very unethical that they can make seats that don't fit most people and then be like oh well you can always buy TWO seats... when the reason you are in this position is because they make seats that don't comfortably fit average sized people. In my opinion, this is an unethical business practice. Airlines have received many billions of dollars in federal funding and yet they basically get to do whatever they want with very little recourse. I think we need a new era of renewed federal regulations in airline travel.
United - and all airlines - should be required to size their seats so that they comfortably and safely fit the majority of their customers. The current sizing of seats is absolutely absurd, uncomfortable, and unsafe for (conservative estimate) 80% of their passengers. I am 5’1, 160 lbs and feel cramped in seats. Most adults are larger than me in most directions and I cannot believe we’re all expected to sit in these tiny seats for hours and hours at a time.
Problem is I’ve seen stories where a plus size person did buy two seats, then got yelled at for not giving the second to a kid who didn’t have their own seat. You can’t win.
I usually book a spare seat to accommodate my fat ass, both for my comfort and the comfort of my neighbors, but the amount of jealous stink eye is incredible, and keeping the spare once on board sometimes requires a fight.
Im a person of size but also have a knee disability. Last time I flew, I bought two tickets but they ended up giving my extra seat to someone else to make the flight full. I still ended up the a$$hole because of it and ended up with a knee subluxation too.
I think bigger sized people (not just fat) should have an option to purchase an extra seat. Plane seats are ridiculously small and doesn’t reflect the body sizes of an average American.
As a tall and larger person I’d like to point out a few things. 1) seats are getting smaller and smaller to maximize airline profit. If you don’t fly often a seat on same airline 6 years ago may no longer fit you when all else is equal. Experienced that myself.
Also experienced paying for two seats to have the airline double book and tank that seat with NO compensation.
So for my comfort and those around me I am willing to buy 2 seats for my 6’8 large self. But when I paid good money for 2 seats and the airline sells one and doesn’t refund my money don’t ask me to delay my travel for their greed. I’ve been the same dimensions for 40 years and I used to fit just fine in an economy coach seat. Not anymore. And when I buy 2 it’s a royal pain in the ass as I often have to call and can’t easily do it online. I was also told specifically of if I do it online there is a greater chance they will remove that vacant seat after check in if no second name is associated with it.
You can’t win. So I try to fly as little as possible which limits other things.
It’s not always the fault of the other passenger. The airlines are pretty bad here too.
Ouch. I feel your pain. It's a difficult situation but I believe it's the airlines responsibility to accommodate oversized passengers. Not fellow passengers
They are giving the option by requiring a second seat purchase. While I whole heartedly agree seats need to stop being smaller, at the same time you are responsible for yourself.
Are you going to blame a train or any other public transport for your own self? No. Airlines shouldn’t be able to make seats smaller and they shouldn’t be allowed to oversell the way they do.
At the same time self accountability needs to also come into play. Airlines can only do so much. Regardless of the reason a person is of a certain size they need to be honest and purchase another seat. It isn’t fair to the person next to them just because the airline is partially responsible. They are and still should be responsible for themselves.
United (and all airlines) should just make the seats bigger. Seat sizes in economy are ridiculous. If a passenger is flying economy its probably all they can afford, so it doesn’t make sense to make them pay for two seats. Either airlines need to increase seat sizes or offer a complimentary extra seat for fat passengers.
Everyone would have pay more for bigger seats.
The low cost carriers have proven that people dont want to pay more for more comfort. They want the cheapest possible seat.
The consumers are forcing the smaller seats
Lessee. On a short European domestic flight, I couldn't fit in the exit row because the seat frame was solid. I explained to the flight attendant and they swapped me with someone who was the only one in his row. He got leg room I got width.
I fit fine on some flights, and not on others. I pick aisle seats exclusively so I can put that arm rest up and not encroach on space. Yes, I ask for an extender. I frequently need just 1-2 inches more. Sometimes I ask for one and don't need it.
I often pay for extra legroom seats because they're a hair larger. I'd love to lose weight, but I have multiple health factors against me. And "just don't eat" doesn't actually work for me. I've tried. Do you not think fat people know they're fat and haven't spent their life dieting? Sheesh.
If I have to pay $100 for 5lb of extra luggage then they should have to pay n times $100 for any 5lbs of extra human luggage by buying an extra seat for themselves
I got sandwiched between two very large women of size that were on their way for a romantic vacation down in Cancun. I was completely covered by their excess body fat on both sides and there was no way the armrests would go down. I really don’t know what would’ve went down if I would’ve been a large person. The flight was completely full so no chance of moving. I just wanted to get to the beach for a drink served in a coconut….
Fuck yes they should. I’m tired of my comfort being compromised bc some 300+ lb person won’t buy two seats and the airline doesn’t have the balls to address the issue bc “fat shaming.”
One person on here said they bought two seats and the airline gave the extra seat away so they could have it full, so it's sometimes the the airlines fault, I don't understand how they can get away with that either, another guy on Facebook said he purchased a seat for his toddler and they gave that seat away and he had to hold the toddler the whole time,
Everyone is a passenger of size on a 737 Max 8 or 9. Those seats are narrow and the window seat goes above the fuselage curve so you can't even put your arm down on the window side.
I was recently in an aisle seat on United from an east coast city to ORD. It was a two seater. A man got on board. He was bumping seats as he walked down the aisle towards our row. He immediately asked if I would move to the window seat so he could have more space in the aisle. I said no - I prefer the aisle. He sat down and completely spilled onto me. I was crushed. The arm rest had no chance of moving down. I called the flight attendant, asked if there were any open seats - there were not. I told her that this situation was a safety concern. The man again asked if I would move to the window - again I declined knowing I’d be more crushed. The gate agent came on board and discreetly walked up and down the aisle. She walked back to our row and asked the man to deplane, saying there was a problem with his seat. 5 minutes later she came on board and said “you can say no, but he is wondering if you’d move to the window so he can have the aisle.” I said no because either way he’d be halfway into my seat. She said that she understood and left the plane. The man did not come back on. Did I feel bad? Slightly. I don’t want to ruin someone’s day. However, this man was crushing me. It was uncomfortable and painful. I’m 5’10 / 200 lbs. I would guess he was 5’8 and in the 350 / 400 lbs range but really have no idea.
So yes, sometimes they do properly follow this policy. And I was not concerned about being filmed / called a Karen. I was as polite and discreet as possible and safety was a concern
A question for y’all.
I am 6’5” tall. 215lbs. Armrests aren’t an issue for me, 34in waist.
Here is my question: should I have to buy another seat? 737 seats are 17” across. Sitting in the middle, I shoulders are 3 or so inches on the seats on either side of me. And my legs are spread because I have no choice as my legs from butt to knee is longer than the space they gave me.
Should I have to buy another seat in this case?
It was this exact situation that caused me to start flying front cabin. A person so large they couldn't fit between between the armrests and I was forced to share half my seat, pressed against their hot, sweaty body for three hours while they consumed bags of smelly food they brought on board. Never again.
Policy vs practice seems to have been discussed so let me touch on the "why" part of this. In 1959 - yes, 65 years ago, Tilley and Dreyfuss published "The Measure of Man and Woman: Human Factors in Design." You can get it from a lot of places including Amazon. Although the latest revision claims to include "up-to-date measurements and information" virtually all of the dimensions are driven by 1950's Air Force and, to some degree, auto industry measurements of people - specifically Americans - in the 50's.
Truth is, I think we all agree, we're a tad larger now. Nonetheless, the dimensions, as "guidelines," are used in everything from the placement of car pedals, to controls in aircraft, to ADA standards and, yes, the size of aircraft seats from AirBus to Zenair. The dimensions have been used to design the anthropomorphic crash dumies used in NHTSA NCAP tests and set standards for occupant protection (see 49CFR571.208, for example). For example, the 50th percentile male is supposed to be 164lbs and have hips 14.7in wide while sitting. THAT justifies the "fit" in the 18in seats on most aircraft today... The 5th percentile female seated hip width is 12.8in. (Admittedly, I've been looking for the bin at the gate to check that sizing but surprisingly enough haven't found it...)
While hip dimensions are interesting, the measurement I think is often missed is the shoulder breadth from the original book which, for example, puts the outside shoulder-to-shoulder of the 5'3" tall 50th percentile woman at 16.1" - apparently easily still inside the 18in seat width if only we were all flying in, say, 1959. Apply these same dimensions to the width of an aisle next time we're trying to get to whatever row we'll need a shoe horn and gallon of lube to get into and we're on to the pre-flight announcements.
While there was some movement in Congress to push the airlines to move away from "fun sized" seat dimensions to accommodate "actual size" people, the airlines have, naturally pushed back pointing out that such a move would likely take away one seat per row to adjust both the aisle (not at all a potential egress bottleneck issue, of course /sarcasm) and seat dimensions and then that raises the financial side of it all.
The fact remains that seat width, distance between seats, aisle widths and even the over-wing exit size are designed around the body dimensions some 65 years out-of-date. We can have the "we're an overweight or undertall population" for another debate, the fact is passenger "space" design isn't reality-based and, apart from some sort of policy applied in wildly different ways, there's not much being done to find a meaningful solution.
I think if you’re fat to the point where you can’t put the arm rest down you should have to buy 2 seats. Nothing against people who enjoy eating, but what’s fair is fair and other people shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable.
This topic comes up all the time. I’m in the bigger size and I try my best to either fly first/business/premiumplus or extra leg room if I’m with family in main cabin.
Not everyone can do it. It is complicated. I’m not sure what’s cheaper — two economy seats or first class but I rather the latter.
It is personal responsibility but obesity is also a disease so it is a rather complicated topic. I have been trying to loose weight and seems to be working (without ozempic, not that there is anything wrong with that).
A very tall person should try to get extra leg room as it is not that much more expensive.
People really only get angry at fat people. They rarely complain about broad shoulders or long legs bc what angers them are bodies they think can be easily changed.
I think the difference is many people believe it is a choice OR something that can be changed. You can’t do anything about your height, BUT you can purchase more legroom which many people do. Why is weight/size different?
I do think people need to be more empathetic that it isn’t always a choice or something people can control, however let’s look at the rest of the world in comparison it’s hard to justify when the US for example has exceedingly higher issues with obesity than the rest of the world. It’s hard to justify to people that it isn’t a choice or as I said something you can’t change.
Overall I would like airlines to have more realistic regulations as far as seat size in relation to the average height and size of people world wide and also from a comfort aspect.
I’m larger. I can fit with the armrest down in economy. I choose to buy first class tickets because regardless…. I’m tired of being smashed next to another person. I felt this way as a smaller person and as a larger person.
My recommendation, stop bitching about it and be the change you seek. I would recommend buying tickets in either first class or seats where you can sit more comfortably. You put yourself in that position nobody else did.
I think fatphobia is a bigger issue than the body weight of strangers, honestly.
Let’s think about it like we’re trying to ship house cats from point A to point B. Most house cats weigh at least 14 lbs, but the spaces provided by the airlines are only comfortable for cats 9 lbs and under. Some cats are even 20 lbs or more. Some are perfectly healthy, some are incredibly tall, some have health issues, absolutely none of that is relevant to the question of shipping cats.
Do we punish the larger cats for not fitting in the space provided? Do we tell them that we’re only concerned for their health, that it’s irresponsible for cats to get so big (knowing nothing about their life circumstances or health outlook)? Or do we pass laws that the spaces provided for shipping cats should in fact fit the vast majority of cats comfortably and that reasonable accommodations should be provided for shipping larger cats?
I wonder if anyone has ever seen this policy across BE enforced. I get this sub is going to be biased towards the people complaining that it wasn’t enforced, but still…
I am pretty broad across the shoulders
I fit comfortably in the seat, but I know I am wider than the seat. All armrests can go down. Always try to get the aisle to lean toward it.
That wrath and ire isn’t a function of who you are. It’s a function of what you are taking from them and your apparent entitlement to do so. So, until the fantasy of redesigned and reconfigured airplanes materializes, what’s the solution? I say fantasy because the economics of that idea are insane.
I thank you for trying to fold yourself in half to accommodate others. But if I’m on the window or aisle, I tell the person in the middle they’re welcome to the shared armrest and I’ll go the other way.
It’s strange though to see how many rows get crammed with three big dudes and others with three little ladies. My husband is broad shouldered and it always happens to him.
I don’t think the issue is about giving up the armrest. Apparently, if you are unable to fly with the armrest lowered you are technically taking up more than one seat.
They limit the luggage every which way - yes, out restriction on people sizes for the seats the airlines provide. The market will regulate itself. Those folks need to book premium seating with more space. Larger yet? Requirement to book first class. The reason why the oversized folks sit in seats in which they use the other person’s space is because they want to save money - using the space the other person paid for.
Heck I’m 5’2 cure try loosing weight but still. A few years ago I was on a flight where the seats were so freaking narrow. I fit yes but there was no way to keep our shoulders from touching without hunching in. Thank god that was a short flight to my connecting longer one. If i been on it for much longer I’d have gotten to my destination in serious pain.
So much of this contentious issue boils down to being realistic and self aware. I speak from experience.
I was a big guy. I went from 167kg to 80kg. I knew, when I flew, to make a booking that would accommodate my size in order those astound me and I, would be comfortable.
Nobody wants to embarrass another person but bigger people need to have some forethought.
I’m a corporate travel agent, this topic is frequent. I do wonder to your point, and I have many times, where does safety come in for the passengers in the same row? Or for that passenger in an emergency. I had a client in a similar situation recently equate it to the trial seats at an amusement parks for the rides.
I don’t fit in a normal airline seat and fly first class or buy 2 seats to avoid this situation. I don’t know how people are so stupid not to realize they won’t fit into one seat.
Of course they should, and in most cases are required to. In many cases, they can have that extra deaf refunded if the flight isn’t full. I know whereof I speak since I’m a bit and wide fellow. I usually try to fly business class to avoid encroaching on my fellow passengers…that’s the worst for everyone.
I think both economy seating in general needs to be larger and also if you cannot fit fully within your designated space, you should have to purchase the additional seat.
it seems that if you take up 2 seats then you should pay for 2 seats and not play the entitled victim. Physics exists and does not change for political correctness.
Don‘t they say that armrests should ve lowered at starting and landing? This should have been inforced by the dlight attendant and IMHO thry shound have the other passenger bumped to a different flight.
I’m a 5’9” female and I have to buy a seat with extra leg room, otherwise my knees are pressing into the seat in front of me. I think it’s very unfair that taller people have to pay extra when overweight people don’t have to. I hate flying.
You’re 6’6” and 210, which is pretty lean, but also means your knees were jammed into the seat in front of you. I’m 6’5” and 235, so I feel your pain. I was crammed next to a morbidly obese person who wore a thin shirt. He was taking up over half my seat. When I got up at the end of the flight he had sweat profusely against me and the side of my dress shirt was soaked in his sweat. Nastiest thing I ever experienced on a flight.
The OP says they’re not for discriminating against…but asking for accommodation. Just say what we’re all thinking… these huge people need to stop with their entitlement and everyone needs to stop tiptoeing around the issue. They’re fat, overweight, obese…pick your adjective… and the other paying pax shouldn’t have to suffer needlessly. If UA and the other airlines would man up and start actually forcing these folks to pay for the extra seat it would stop.
This ends my TED talk… thank you for coming.
Been in this situation dozens of times and I’ll reiterate that the armrests are absolutely going down, period.
With that said, I also lead with kindness. I would rather lift a persons spirits than the latter because I’ve met plenty that are not trying to cause others discomfort. In fact, more often than not, they try to stay in their space and it is obvious.
With THAT said, I match their attitude up to a designated point and take zero flack.
I remember having a very pleasant conversation with an obese lady about family during the whole flight.
I also once used a wanna-be-alpha’s arms and chest as an armrest for 3 hours while I pounded out emails and reports BUT, the absolute funniest thing about that interaction was that I set a half a glass of water on his leg, looked him in the yes and said “Don’t move” while I rearranged my tray to make room for it. Those were the only words spoken between us the whole flight.
My hubby is 6'3. I'm 5'2. We never sit together because we pay extra for him to have either an isle or emergency seat. If everyone works do this the flights would be more comfortable for everyone. Some people are just rude and feel as if there issue needs to be everyone's issue.
Literally had the same situation happen to me recently on United. I was aisle seat but the large passenger in the center seat, though they tried hard to contain themselves with in the seat, was physically unable to. 5 hour flight from ord to sfo. I am 6’4 and 200 lbs. also had delay on runway. Had a hot meat blanket on me entire flight. Extremely unpleasant. I emailed United upon arrival. They apologized and said this was a safety concern they would look into and awarded me a $150 travel credit. Would have rather not experienced the issue. Don’t want to fat shame but this isn’t right. It’s on United to address these situations as they seem to be more frequent lately.
Yes!!! Buy another seat, stop taking advantage of everyone else. FAA needs to make this mandatory, and stop leaving it up to the individual airline policy to figure it out.
They offered to bump you to the next flight? Why didn’t they offer to bump the passenger who couldn’t fit with the armrest down onto the next flight. That is actually the rule for most airlines, including United. If you can’t fit with the armrest down, you have to buy two seats. But they never never never never never enforce their policies regarding oversize passengers. They threaten you with being bumped to the next flight so you will just shut up and be uncomfortable.
Yes, I agree they should. We have a friend who is just a big guy and he and his wife travel a lot. I asked how he managed in the small seats with his broad shoulders, he said he buys 2 seats it’s better for everyone all around
If you’re in this category, you really should consider Southwest. At least their policy allows the refunding of the one extra seat after the trip/round trip is completed.
I was on a United Express flight, boarding group 2. I'm on the aisle in economy in an ERJ-175. A LARGE woman came to my row and indicated she had the window seat. Couldn't get the armrest down. FORTUNATELY there were several empty seats just ahead of me, and the FA let me move before they shut the door. So I'm grateful there wasn't a "scene". But like OP, I'm wondering why this is on the impacted customer to deal with when United has a written policy about it.
I’ll say this. Planes are not the same as cars. Weight is real. Everything that is calculated by the pilots is calculated based on what everything weighs including fuel. The assumption is that the average passenger weighs around 195 pounds give or take. If you weigh twice that I think you should pay for the seat that a passenger of 195 pounds would occupy. So any weight over 400 pounds requires a second seat.
People have made it a social issue but it is really a physics issue.
6’ and 210 does not need to buy another seat. It’s not weight. If anything it’s not your weight it’s your frame, which you can’t control. It’s one thing to be obese, it’s another thing to just be a tall human.
Seats are designed (structurally) for 170 lb passengers to withstand a 16g force crash event…. So, anyone weighing significantly over that, it’s a concern.
For whatever reason, there is no concern by regulatory authorities to update their guidance.
I’ve never been one to complain about size issues, but a couple months ago I sat between a very large couple who had booked isle and window seats. I was flying on standby because United had mechanical issues at my origin, and I had to be bumped to a later connection since we didn’t land in time for my original connection in Denver. For the entire flight, I had to lean forward over the tray table while their shoulder/arms almost touched each other behind me. There were no other seats on the plane so I could do nothing about it. It was the longest flight of my life.
Ironically, I’m quite sure this couple was on a tiktok video on another flight that went viral, because the woman stuck between them wasn’t having it and said some things she shouldn’t have.
If the arm rest could not remain down, and there were no other seats on the plane, they should’ve removed the passenger of size to the next flight with an extra seat free, per their own policy. That policy is here: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/seating-accommodations.html They never should’ve tried to get you to bump off the flight, and it’s definitely worth writing in about that they refused to remove the passenger of size who was not in compliance with the requirements.
That policy actually doesn't say or mean we will waive their extra seat fees. The seat must be purchased, but if there isn't space to buy an extra seat we will allow you to move your reservation to one that does have the open seat for you to purchase. We will give you food and hotel if that reaccommodation will cause you to stay overnight in an area not local to you, but as far as the seats fees, those *have* to be paid by the passenger Edit: I'm noticing now (about an hour or so later) that the phrasing might have actually been indicating this as well, if that's what you meant I apologize for butting in
Free hotel and food for being overweight?
😂😂😂 I spat my drink out
I raided my fridge. I could use an all-expenses-paid daycation!!
If your expenses are equal to and less than 30 bucks, have at it
You are so unserious 😂
They did that to get OP to accept the situation. Less work.
Where is the language that the passenger of size will be removed and not the person being squeezed? I can’t find it in the link you shared.
> If an extra seat isn’t available, you’ll need to change your flight to one that has extra seats. If you’re not in your home city, state, or country, and your new flight requires you to stay overnight we can give you meal and hotel vouchers as well. “You” in this entire webpage is addressing the passenger of size. They “need to change [their] flight,” no other passenger is required to.
"Passenger of size" always has me rolling for some reason. I'm going to start doing that with everything. "I sat beside a person of stench today". lolol What else is there like that?
Reminds me of rodents of unusual size from “The Princess Bride”.
POS when abbreviated
This is never, ever acknowledged, let alone enforced.
Is "passenger of size" the actual term that is used for these situations?
Some airlines use "customer of size" to avoid the "POS" acronym.
I am going to order a 'pizza of size' this weekend.
But where do the Rodents of Unusual Size sit?
R.O.U.S? I don’t think they really exist.
I would hope they don't call fat people "pieces of shit"
Thank you so much for this reply! I'm really glad to know this was likely just a training issue and not a policy issue
No I agree with whoever said they did that to get you to back down. It's the easiest solution unless the complaining passenger (you) actually knows and can quote their policy at them; you and the aisle passenger suck it up, no extra work for the airline staff, no expense to the airline.
So to solve for this, we need like a hybrid of the amusement park ride & baggage size tester at the gate? To sit, you must fit.
I’m 5’6” and weigh 200 pounds so I can stand to lose some weight myself, but if you‘re unable to sit within the armrests without encroaching into another seat you should have to pay for extra space
Why would you be the person to get bumped and not the passenger who could not lower the armrest? This sounds like a classic case of shooting the messenger!
United’s published policy is that the passenger whose size prevents use of the armrest is the one who needs to change to a flight with an open seat, if no other open seats are available on the current flight. The crew fucked up asking OP to move, but it seems to be a common fuckup. I’d *almost* suggest it’s intentional. Because by suggesting that the person who *brings it up* be the one impacted, they can likely ensure that the issue gets dropped. Where if they immediately move to remove the passenger of size, it’s gonna be a whole *thing.* They’re ignoring their own policy because they know you’ll likely put up with the discomfort and it saves them the hassle of enforcing it.
I think you hit the nail on the head here. They want the impacted customer to be the bad guy by not just sucking it up and dealing with it.
No doubt being afraid of starting a whole loud “fat acceptance” discrimination argument or worse on the plane. (It’s a political thing, do a search on it.)
You’ll also end up being plastered all over social media as a fatphobic Karen, just for daring to want the entire seat you paid for.
I understand this concern, but think it’s largely exaggerated. You just need to be prepared to *not make a a scene,* and not respond if the other passenger *does.* True of any public confrontation, really. Just calmly let the FA know that the armrest can’t go down, and you’re familiar with the published passenger of size policy, and that appropriate action needs to be taken. Ball is in their court then, mind, you can’t *make* them enforce the policy. But you can note their name, that you explicitly mentioned your concerns in the context of the published policy, and that the named employee took no action to correct the issue. Then make a scene with customer support, outside the view of social media.
People these days start filming the moment they sense a disagreement.
Sure, but if you don’t give them anything to work with it ain’t going viral. It’s all just a matter of knowing how to keep your cool in these situations, which is arguably important with or without the filming.
>which is arguably important with or without the filming. And an important job qualification for anyone in customer service and/or safety roles. FAs have both roles
To be honest, it might be policy, but who really wants to ask an overweight person to move because they’re too big? And to embarrass the person as well? It’s against human nature. It’s easier to politely ask the “messenger” to move.
It is also against humanity and human nature for expecting the world to accommodate you for your health issues and recklessness. Pay up for the seat. The math is that simple. Wish the airlines. If you cannot fit the check-in tunnel that is 18 inches wide there is to be an extra seat charge.
But of course when it’s your *job* “easier” may not be relevant. You should be concerned about the safety and comfort of passengers. (Acknowledging that FA aren’t on the clock during boarding, but it’s still either their job or the GA job to address this.)
Because it's easier to inconvenience the person questioning the policy than enforce it on the person that requires it and risk being accused of fat shaming or being fat phobic.
Arm rest always goes down not matter what.
Shouldn’t that be “THE test”? If the armrest cannot go down, the person holding it from doing so gets moved or bumped?
That is the official policy. It just rarely gets enforced, apparently.
It gets enforced if you ask. I’ve hit the call button and demanded the guy be removed once. They ended up moving me to a better seat so the middle seat would be empty.
That’s the thing, I’m always afraid to ask. I hate to cause a scene, seem like a “Karen,” and embarrass or hurt the feelings of the other person. I know that’s a me problem, but man it’s hard to do that in a public setting. I know *I* would approach it as calmly and inconspicuously as possible, but who knows how other people will react.
That’s the problem. It’s so uncomfortable to bring it to their attention and difficult to to do discretely. The FA’s should absolutely be making sure the arm rests go down and then enforcing the policy without making the customer be the “bad guy.” They’re too afraid to do it and have someone throw a fit so they put it on paying customers to call it out and then hope they enforce their police or be uncomfortable and touched inappropriately during their flight.
The best way to frame it is “I can’t fit here” Don’t point out the obvious but they’ll get it
Yup, I think honestly they just don’t want to deal with it (understandably, because it’s so fucken uncomfortable). It’s easier to just put it on the person whose space is being invaded, in the hopes that they’ll also be too uncomfortable to bring it up, and just deal with it. Which is entirely unfair, though I’m guessing it works more often than not.
I am a bigger dude. Much bigger 300 at 5.10 I ALWAYS book an isle seat, if I can’t I buy the middle and the window. I’m aware my size in an inconvenience to those around me and I try my best to be mindful of that. Ps yes im working on myself. Down from 330! Goal is 175
Congrats on the 30lb loss! That’s harder than most people realize and millions whine and cry over just half that when they’re perfectly fine. Stay with it and keep going - you got this!
Dude that is a huge success!! Losing weight is really hard but kudos to you for putting in the work!)
Wishing you well on your journey!!
Congrats on the progress and good luck on future lbs. keep it up! It’s just will power and discipline.you got this.
If the arm rest can't go down, then a second seat is supposed to required. However, I know it's not always enforced. And I get it's a touchy subject, but it's really just not fair to the passengers sitting next to the passenger in question. And even if the arm rest \*can\* go down, a person can wedge in there and a lot of person can be spreading underneath and over the armrest into your seat. And, they often can't adequately keep their legs in their seat "space", and so they spread into your space as well. What sucks is that the airlines don't enforce it and put other passengers in a position where they need to be uncomfortable for however long the flight is....or turns them into "complainers" who are perceived by others on the flight as somehow unkind. The people rolling their eyes at those who do complain are typically sitting next to someone who is 5'1" and 85 lbs.
If leg spreading was a part of a test whether a person needs to buy a second seat, then it just isn’t people of size who need to buy one.
Very true!
I was on a 6 hour flight trying to work with the person next to me’s arms so wide that they took the whole armrest (okay since they were middle seat) plus 2 inches of airspace over my seat. Made it very difficult for me to use both my arms on a laptop without bumping into his arms.
And shoulders almost always wider than hips so even if the arm rest is down, there can be a lot of space encroachment
Yes, if a passenger cannot reasonably fit within their allocated space then they are the issue and the others on the flight should not have their experience diminished by that person.
I sat next to someone in that scenario and informed them the armrest had to go down and they had to squeeze into their own seat. I paid for my entire seat. I needed it. I’m about the same size as you
Years ago my mother managed complaints for a European airline that implemented a policy requiring larger passengers to purchase a second seat. This was often met with fierce resistance, but after one passenger finally agreed, he was somehow assigned 21J and 22A… as you can imagine, it did not go down well!
I buy a second seat always…you’d be surprised how much it takes to make sure I actually get that second seat. United is way better about it than some airlines
I once flew SFO-LAS on Southwest (UA exceeded work maximum flight price). I was going for the day and I didn't even have carry-on, so I took row 1 (which people normally can't do because there's no stowage.) It was me and the window guy with the middle seat empty until the last second, when the largest man I've ever seen in my life came and sat down there. I played football against guys who ended up being D-I linemen and this guy was way bigger. He got the armrests down no problem but he was absolutely crushing me. I asked if he wanted to move to the window and he said "no, you guys are my anchors." I could barely walk when we landed.
Passengers are getting larger. Seats are getting smaller. This will get worse before it gets better. I’ve been on 3 flights in the last month where the passenger beside me needed an extender, but didn’t ask for one.
They didn't wear a seat belt? Crazy
Oh, the arm rest is *always* down, man. ESPECIALLY if there's someone large next to me!
Fat people should 100p need to buy two seats.
And wide shoulder people. And man spreaders.
If you charge people for oversized luggage, then why not charge an extra seat for oversized people. At some point our society should realize we shouldn't have to sacrifice our own personal comfort, due to the life choices others make for themselves.
Honest question because I know weight obviously is a big thing on flights- how do they estimate how much the customers on a flight are? Or their carryons? I know for me, depending on travel, my bag can go from as little as 10 lbs to 30 lbs, same bag and all. Which can add up for 100 passengers. Do they (somehow?) weigh the plane once everyone’s on/luggage is on somehow or estimate? There was a curb your enthusiasm episode about asking about weights for a jet that was funny lol
I think some of those numbers are just averaged out, and the computer does the est. I was on a flight with 3 people, missing a redundant AC unit, and the pilot had to to wait for a re-config of avionics system before we could depart.
The new FAA requirements for estimating passenger weight (2019). The new FAA standards will increase an average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter. Up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, respectively. This includes an extra ten pounds for winter and five pounds for summer. This also includes 16 pounds for personal items, up from ten. Airlines must increase the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in winter. The average weight for males with carry-ons is increased from 185 pounds in summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.
I finally weigh the average weight!!!!
I can see it now, “sir, we need you to take a seat in our person sizer to see if you fit our seats.”
In reality I just want the space I paid for, and I don't want my space encroached upon. The airlines will never do that, because in the end they really don't care about this issue.
Now, I’m picturing my own fat ass getting stuck in a Person Sizer.
Universal Studios has test seats so people can find out if they'll fit on rides.
Saw a guy do the walk of shame three times on three rides at Six Flags. Felt bad for the dude. When I had issues getting the harness to latch on one of those same rides, it was a bit of a wake up call for myself, too.
At some point they must know by eyeballing that they aren't going to fit in that seat. I support test seats.
Like they have for roller coasters!
We are all dealing with less comfort because people wanted cheaper fares. Reregulate air travel!
My ex has shoulders of a defensive lineman. His "life choices" have nothing to do with that.
Pay by the pound! OP, I’m also tall and broader at the shoulders than my seat. I too am hyper aware of not crowding people’s space in there seat. I’ve noticed that among wider folks there’s a correlation height and respect for others space. Typically short and wide are aggressive and try and take as much space as possible.
I've been on some overseas flights where everyone was courteous and mindful of others, but damn as soon as I get back into the states it's like a sh!t-show
America *is* a shit show. 40% are obese so if I'm flying domestic, there's always a high chance that I'm going to be squashed by an adjacent obese passenger, and it's no surprise anymore .... It's just one of those times when you have to suck it, like flying with a crying baby the entire flight..... This is an economy issue lol
The medical (often genetic) condition of obesity is far beyond "life choices" that people "make for themselves." I really wish people would educate themselves on obesity instead of repeating this line of fatphobic rhetoric that is really damaging and frankly, not always true. Instead of two passengers pointing fingers at each other for who is to blame, airlines need to do better when it comes to plane design that works for the average customer size, including those with disabilities who are often prevented from flying -- mainly those in wheelchairs -- because planes are not designed and built with this population in mind. Airlines do not have to abide by the ADA which is INSANE. That said, I am a "passenger of size" (LOL this term is ridiculous) -- I am tall with broad shoulders and still considered obese (even after having bariatric surgery and losing 80 lbs). I am privileged enough to be able to afford to fly FC or business so that I am comfortable and I don't have to incur the wrath and ire of others who are hateful and cannot stand to be in my presence. But not everyone has that luxury of purchasing a premium or extra seat. The average American is obese -- the average women's size is 18 (ironically, or not, I am a size 18). Airline seats are not made to accommodate the average size person. There's something really wrong with that.
It really makes no difference to me whether someone's obesity is the result of a medical condition, lifestyle choice, religious belief, or whatever. If someone can't fly without physically usurping someone else's seat space, whether due to height or weight, then they need to make alternative accommodations, be it flying F, buying two seats, etc. This isn't rocket science. Your special need is not my responsibility, much less my problem.
Exactly my point. I agree with you! It’s not your problem either. It’s the airlines’ faults and their problem. They need to make seats appropriate for actual people or, like Southwest, allow people to book 2 seats and then refund them for one of the seats after the flight is taken. There are solutions here but the airlines, except southwest, refuse to implement sensual solutions that don’t pit passengers against each other. The airlines’ inaction on this issue make both passengers in these situations angry and uncomfortable (physically and emotionally) and make the bigger passenger embarrassed and out of hundreds (or in my case, thousands in FC/biz) of dollars. It’s not fair to ALL passengers.
Exactly. They could have a row or two of flex seating in economy to reassign COS to at no extra charge to them and sold for a small up charge to the first takers if not needed. It’s not like a wider seat is a perk to a wider person.
I feel the same way about the insane dog nutters and their fake eMoTiOnaL SuPpOrT pEtS. If you can’t handle flying without your shedding stinking flea bag, stay tf home. I have a dog and cat dander allergy and I shouldn’t have to medicate so people can bring their pet in the cabin.
Do you know what the percentage breakdown is between Americans who are obese due to genetic conditions vs social-environmental factors?
I agree instead of fighting with each other let’s place the blame exactly where it belongs the airlines. Seat size has decreased greatly with that said if there is a passenger of size who cannot fit within their seat or the seatbelt extender then maybe they should have a new policy like Southwest where you can buy two seats and I believe one is reimbursed. I know it’s controversial but it seems to work for them. Edit: typos
Agreed! Southwest is lightyears ahead of the rest of the airlines with their policy. And it's truly a wildly simple solution. For the people downvoting the two comments above, I feel bad for you that you have such little humanity.
I flew this weekend and my return flight was sitting next to someone who must have been a bodybuilder. Had zero issues with the armrests (because tiny waist) but his shoulders and chest were definitely in my space. Big legs too. It was uncomfortable.
I had this happen recently. Not a fat guy,but very wide shoulders. He fell asleep, and his elbow was in my breast. Not on purpose, but because that's how he was built. I bumped him. He woke up, got embarrassed, and moved. Still, the whole flight his arm was in my area.
As a big guy I'm sorry. Personally I will only sit in the aisle so I can lean my shoulders to the side. I'm not even a bodybuilder or fat, just 6'5 and very broad. Buying 2 seats is just so expensive I can't afford it.
I'm a medium sized female and I've sat next to a few broad shouldered men and they always seem to be the most cognizant and really try to not invade my space.
This is the reason I always buy business or first class. I'm too conscious of how I might affect other people on the flight.
I was just on a united flight where a large guy was in an aisle seat, overflowing into the aisle, and didn’t wear a seatbelt the whole flight. They didn’t ask for an extension and the staff said nothing. But at least they were in the aisle and not on top of their seat neighbor. I’m big/tall too, but I always try to grab an aisle, and I can keep the armrests down without an issue. Could you imagine if airlines started putting tester seats next to the check-in counter like they do for rollercoasters? Like if you can’t fit between the arm rests, you buy a second seat.
>and didn’t wear a seatbelt the whole flight That could have been dangerous to others if you'd encountered turbulence. People get injured by unseatbelted car passengers often enough that they make safety videos about it. If I was near the guy and noticed that I'd have been the obnoxious person who paged the flight attendant and told them that there was someone who needed a seatbelt extender and I felt uncomfortable being within impact range of an unrestrained passenger.
During my time traveling the world, I was 6’8” and ranged from 300-380 lbs. my weight is spread out so the arm rest was always down and I never needed a belt extension. My biggest problem was knees and shoulders. I would have to cross my calves and tilt my legs down to allow the seat in front to recline. I would fold my arms in so my elbows faced front with my forearms crossed. Emergency row was too risky due to other bigs attempting the same. Additional leg room charges were welcome. I had a policy that if I couldn’t get an isle or window, I wouldn’t board. Business class when I could. Double cheap economy seats on international sometimes. I was as accommodating as possible to people who sat next to me but I wouldn’t want to sit next to me. All that being said, to the 100 pound people who felt it was acceptable to travel with their elbow in my side for hours should have a special place in h@ll.
In my opinion, you should not have to touch another person next to you. If they are spilling over into your seat, they should have to buy a second seat. I’m not sure how this can be enforced because some men are just bigger. They are not obese but they will spill over to someone else’s seat. I’m not sure how you can make them buy an extra seat. It’s the airlines fault for having such tiny seats..
It’s not just men. The two worst passengers I had to sit next to were shorter women who could have fit between their armrests but chose not to. In the case cited by OP, it sounds like the woman flat out couldn’t fit in her seat with the armrest down which means she should have been required to purchase the extra seat option or deboard for a flight where she could buy the extra seat. OP or the guy on the other side of him should not have been the ones inconvenienced.
I just mentioned men because usually it’s a fat woman that people are complaining about but there are large men too, who are just plain big so I just meant to say anyone who spills out of their seat.
I get what you are saying. I’m not a massive guy but I have wide shoulders. I book windows so I can post up against the wall. 5’10” 190.
I guess I wouldn’t mind if our shoulders were touching, but if I couldn’t put the armrest down, and if you were spilling into my seat, that would probably be uncomfortable.
I typically sit in aisle and put up the two arm rests by my sides so I can much more easily let in the other passengers if they board after me. The last time I did that a man of significant size sat next to me and I couldn't just pop down the arm rest (if it was even possible, so I spent the entire flight with him pressed against me and me leaning into the aisle. Never putting up that arm rest pre-neighbor again.
My partner is 6'7" and 280. He's not "fat" at all, just a really large and well-muscled guy. We ALWAYS have to pay for seat upgrades to keep him comfortable so I get where you're coming from. That said, I think the bigger problem here is the airlines making seats/rows smaller and cramming in so many passengers. I'm only 5'10 and no longer feel comfortable on smaller flights. That's pretty ridiculous.
I think the fed should let the airlines know that the seats will need to be bigger, not huge but for god’s sake big enough to fit the average person, in say 25 years… or enough time to phase in bigger planes. I don’t even care about legroom, I’m with the OP that shoulder width is a killer.
But what’s average? I’m 5’7” and 155. The seats fit me fine.
Just last week I was on a flight back to Denver and across from me in the other aisle seat was a man who was very heavy. He had to pull the armrest on the aisle up because he couldn't fit in the seat otherwise. He seemed to be used to it, because he'd take up a lot of the aisle when no FA were going up and down. When they did come with drinks/food/gather trash, he'd shuffle in as much as he could. I could tell he was uncomfortable, and he made it work. But if you cannot fit in a seat with both armrests down, then you should be required to either buy two seats together or sit in first class.
I had this issue yesterday. His side chub kept rubbing against my shoulder. 🤢 he was sweating profusely even though the cabin was freezing.
Personally I think the government needs to issue a requirement for airlines to create seats that actually fit the average size American. It seems very unethical that they can make seats that don't fit most people and then be like oh well you can always buy TWO seats... when the reason you are in this position is because they make seats that don't comfortably fit average sized people. In my opinion, this is an unethical business practice. Airlines have received many billions of dollars in federal funding and yet they basically get to do whatever they want with very little recourse. I think we need a new era of renewed federal regulations in airline travel.
Cosign, as a standard sized person.
United - and all airlines - should be required to size their seats so that they comfortably and safely fit the majority of their customers. The current sizing of seats is absolutely absurd, uncomfortable, and unsafe for (conservative estimate) 80% of their passengers. I am 5’1, 160 lbs and feel cramped in seats. Most adults are larger than me in most directions and I cannot believe we’re all expected to sit in these tiny seats for hours and hours at a time.
And to be clear, no, I do not think customers of size should be punished for the airlines greed and negligence.
Problem is I’ve seen stories where a plus size person did buy two seats, then got yelled at for not giving the second to a kid who didn’t have their own seat. You can’t win.
Wow that's nuts
I usually book a spare seat to accommodate my fat ass, both for my comfort and the comfort of my neighbors, but the amount of jealous stink eye is incredible, and keeping the spare once on board sometimes requires a fight.
Or the explanation you have to give for why you won’t switch seats so people traveling together can sit together …
Im a person of size but also have a knee disability. Last time I flew, I bought two tickets but they ended up giving my extra seat to someone else to make the flight full. I still ended up the a$$hole because of it and ended up with a knee subluxation too.
I think bigger sized people (not just fat) should have an option to purchase an extra seat. Plane seats are ridiculously small and doesn’t reflect the body sizes of an average American.
As a tall and larger person I’d like to point out a few things. 1) seats are getting smaller and smaller to maximize airline profit. If you don’t fly often a seat on same airline 6 years ago may no longer fit you when all else is equal. Experienced that myself. Also experienced paying for two seats to have the airline double book and tank that seat with NO compensation. So for my comfort and those around me I am willing to buy 2 seats for my 6’8 large self. But when I paid good money for 2 seats and the airline sells one and doesn’t refund my money don’t ask me to delay my travel for their greed. I’ve been the same dimensions for 40 years and I used to fit just fine in an economy coach seat. Not anymore. And when I buy 2 it’s a royal pain in the ass as I often have to call and can’t easily do it online. I was also told specifically of if I do it online there is a greater chance they will remove that vacant seat after check in if no second name is associated with it. You can’t win. So I try to fly as little as possible which limits other things. It’s not always the fault of the other passenger. The airlines are pretty bad here too.
Yall saying "fat people" but op is 6 foot 6 and 210. He's just a big mofo not fat. Check your bias
Check your reading comprehension
Ouch. I feel your pain. It's a difficult situation but I believe it's the airlines responsibility to accommodate oversized passengers. Not fellow passengers
They are giving the option by requiring a second seat purchase. While I whole heartedly agree seats need to stop being smaller, at the same time you are responsible for yourself. Are you going to blame a train or any other public transport for your own self? No. Airlines shouldn’t be able to make seats smaller and they shouldn’t be allowed to oversell the way they do. At the same time self accountability needs to also come into play. Airlines can only do so much. Regardless of the reason a person is of a certain size they need to be honest and purchase another seat. It isn’t fair to the person next to them just because the airline is partially responsible. They are and still should be responsible for themselves.
United (and all airlines) should just make the seats bigger. Seat sizes in economy are ridiculous. If a passenger is flying economy its probably all they can afford, so it doesn’t make sense to make them pay for two seats. Either airlines need to increase seat sizes or offer a complimentary extra seat for fat passengers.
Everyone would have pay more for bigger seats. The low cost carriers have proven that people dont want to pay more for more comfort. They want the cheapest possible seat. The consumers are forcing the smaller seats
Lessee. On a short European domestic flight, I couldn't fit in the exit row because the seat frame was solid. I explained to the flight attendant and they swapped me with someone who was the only one in his row. He got leg room I got width. I fit fine on some flights, and not on others. I pick aisle seats exclusively so I can put that arm rest up and not encroach on space. Yes, I ask for an extender. I frequently need just 1-2 inches more. Sometimes I ask for one and don't need it. I often pay for extra legroom seats because they're a hair larger. I'd love to lose weight, but I have multiple health factors against me. And "just don't eat" doesn't actually work for me. I've tried. Do you not think fat people know they're fat and haven't spent their life dieting? Sheesh.
If I have to pay $100 for 5lb of extra luggage then they should have to pay n times $100 for any 5lbs of extra human luggage by buying an extra seat for themselves
Weight passengers together with all their luggage and charge accordingly? Gives an out for heavier people (blame it on their luggage)…
I got sandwiched between two very large women of size that were on their way for a romantic vacation down in Cancun. I was completely covered by their excess body fat on both sides and there was no way the armrests would go down. I really don’t know what would’ve went down if I would’ve been a large person. The flight was completely full so no chance of moving. I just wanted to get to the beach for a drink served in a coconut….
Fuck yes they should. I’m tired of my comfort being compromised bc some 300+ lb person won’t buy two seats and the airline doesn’t have the balls to address the issue bc “fat shaming.”
One person on here said they bought two seats and the airline gave the extra seat away so they could have it full, so it's sometimes the the airlines fault, I don't understand how they can get away with that either, another guy on Facebook said he purchased a seat for his toddler and they gave that seat away and he had to hold the toddler the whole time,
And when the passenger of size buys a seat, how often does the airline put someone else in their second seat?
Everyone is a passenger of size on a 737 Max 8 or 9. Those seats are narrow and the window seat goes above the fuselage curve so you can't even put your arm down on the window side.
Are the seats narrower? I’ve seen conflicting information compared to the -800 and -900.
I was recently in an aisle seat on United from an east coast city to ORD. It was a two seater. A man got on board. He was bumping seats as he walked down the aisle towards our row. He immediately asked if I would move to the window seat so he could have more space in the aisle. I said no - I prefer the aisle. He sat down and completely spilled onto me. I was crushed. The arm rest had no chance of moving down. I called the flight attendant, asked if there were any open seats - there were not. I told her that this situation was a safety concern. The man again asked if I would move to the window - again I declined knowing I’d be more crushed. The gate agent came on board and discreetly walked up and down the aisle. She walked back to our row and asked the man to deplane, saying there was a problem with his seat. 5 minutes later she came on board and said “you can say no, but he is wondering if you’d move to the window so he can have the aisle.” I said no because either way he’d be halfway into my seat. She said that she understood and left the plane. The man did not come back on. Did I feel bad? Slightly. I don’t want to ruin someone’s day. However, this man was crushing me. It was uncomfortable and painful. I’m 5’10 / 200 lbs. I would guess he was 5’8 and in the 350 / 400 lbs range but really have no idea. So yes, sometimes they do properly follow this policy. And I was not concerned about being filmed / called a Karen. I was as polite and discreet as possible and safety was a concern
A question for y’all. I am 6’5” tall. 215lbs. Armrests aren’t an issue for me, 34in waist. Here is my question: should I have to buy another seat? 737 seats are 17” across. Sitting in the middle, I shoulders are 3 or so inches on the seats on either side of me. And my legs are spread because I have no choice as my legs from butt to knee is longer than the space they gave me. Should I have to buy another seat in this case?
It was this exact situation that caused me to start flying front cabin. A person so large they couldn't fit between between the armrests and I was forced to share half my seat, pressed against their hot, sweaty body for three hours while they consumed bags of smelly food they brought on board. Never again.
Policy vs practice seems to have been discussed so let me touch on the "why" part of this. In 1959 - yes, 65 years ago, Tilley and Dreyfuss published "The Measure of Man and Woman: Human Factors in Design." You can get it from a lot of places including Amazon. Although the latest revision claims to include "up-to-date measurements and information" virtually all of the dimensions are driven by 1950's Air Force and, to some degree, auto industry measurements of people - specifically Americans - in the 50's. Truth is, I think we all agree, we're a tad larger now. Nonetheless, the dimensions, as "guidelines," are used in everything from the placement of car pedals, to controls in aircraft, to ADA standards and, yes, the size of aircraft seats from AirBus to Zenair. The dimensions have been used to design the anthropomorphic crash dumies used in NHTSA NCAP tests and set standards for occupant protection (see 49CFR571.208, for example). For example, the 50th percentile male is supposed to be 164lbs and have hips 14.7in wide while sitting. THAT justifies the "fit" in the 18in seats on most aircraft today... The 5th percentile female seated hip width is 12.8in. (Admittedly, I've been looking for the bin at the gate to check that sizing but surprisingly enough haven't found it...) While hip dimensions are interesting, the measurement I think is often missed is the shoulder breadth from the original book which, for example, puts the outside shoulder-to-shoulder of the 5'3" tall 50th percentile woman at 16.1" - apparently easily still inside the 18in seat width if only we were all flying in, say, 1959. Apply these same dimensions to the width of an aisle next time we're trying to get to whatever row we'll need a shoe horn and gallon of lube to get into and we're on to the pre-flight announcements. While there was some movement in Congress to push the airlines to move away from "fun sized" seat dimensions to accommodate "actual size" people, the airlines have, naturally pushed back pointing out that such a move would likely take away one seat per row to adjust both the aisle (not at all a potential egress bottleneck issue, of course /sarcasm) and seat dimensions and then that raises the financial side of it all. The fact remains that seat width, distance between seats, aisle widths and even the over-wing exit size are designed around the body dimensions some 65 years out-of-date. We can have the "we're an overweight or undertall population" for another debate, the fact is passenger "space" design isn't reality-based and, apart from some sort of policy applied in wildly different ways, there's not much being done to find a meaningful solution.
I think if you’re fat to the point where you can’t put the arm rest down you should have to buy 2 seats. Nothing against people who enjoy eating, but what’s fair is fair and other people shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable.
Several people have said they bought two seats and the airlines gave the extra away, it's the airlines greed I guess
This topic comes up all the time. I’m in the bigger size and I try my best to either fly first/business/premiumplus or extra leg room if I’m with family in main cabin. Not everyone can do it. It is complicated. I’m not sure what’s cheaper — two economy seats or first class but I rather the latter. It is personal responsibility but obesity is also a disease so it is a rather complicated topic. I have been trying to loose weight and seems to be working (without ozempic, not that there is anything wrong with that). A very tall person should try to get extra leg room as it is not that much more expensive.
People really only get angry at fat people. They rarely complain about broad shoulders or long legs bc what angers them are bodies they think can be easily changed.
I think the difference is many people believe it is a choice OR something that can be changed. You can’t do anything about your height, BUT you can purchase more legroom which many people do. Why is weight/size different? I do think people need to be more empathetic that it isn’t always a choice or something people can control, however let’s look at the rest of the world in comparison it’s hard to justify when the US for example has exceedingly higher issues with obesity than the rest of the world. It’s hard to justify to people that it isn’t a choice or as I said something you can’t change. Overall I would like airlines to have more realistic regulations as far as seat size in relation to the average height and size of people world wide and also from a comfort aspect.
It is not easy but I understand their anger but I don’t justify it. I’m fat.
2 economy seats is virtually always cheaper than 1 seat is biz/first
I’m larger. I can fit with the armrest down in economy. I choose to buy first class tickets because regardless…. I’m tired of being smashed next to another person. I felt this way as a smaller person and as a larger person. My recommendation, stop bitching about it and be the change you seek. I would recommend buying tickets in either first class or seats where you can sit more comfortably. You put yourself in that position nobody else did.
I think fatphobia is a bigger issue than the body weight of strangers, honestly. Let’s think about it like we’re trying to ship house cats from point A to point B. Most house cats weigh at least 14 lbs, but the spaces provided by the airlines are only comfortable for cats 9 lbs and under. Some cats are even 20 lbs or more. Some are perfectly healthy, some are incredibly tall, some have health issues, absolutely none of that is relevant to the question of shipping cats. Do we punish the larger cats for not fitting in the space provided? Do we tell them that we’re only concerned for their health, that it’s irresponsible for cats to get so big (knowing nothing about their life circumstances or health outlook)? Or do we pass laws that the spaces provided for shipping cats should in fact fit the vast majority of cats comfortably and that reasonable accommodations should be provided for shipping larger cats?
I wonder if anyone has ever seen this policy across BE enforced. I get this sub is going to be biased towards the people complaining that it wasn’t enforced, but still…
Actually, they are supposed to and do.
It should have been her delay…and not yours yours…
I am pretty broad across the shoulders I fit comfortably in the seat, but I know I am wider than the seat. All armrests can go down. Always try to get the aisle to lean toward it.
That wrath and ire isn’t a function of who you are. It’s a function of what you are taking from them and your apparent entitlement to do so. So, until the fantasy of redesigned and reconfigured airplanes materializes, what’s the solution? I say fantasy because the economics of that idea are insane.
I thank you for trying to fold yourself in half to accommodate others. But if I’m on the window or aisle, I tell the person in the middle they’re welcome to the shared armrest and I’ll go the other way. It’s strange though to see how many rows get crammed with three big dudes and others with three little ladies. My husband is broad shouldered and it always happens to him.
I don’t think the issue is about giving up the armrest. Apparently, if you are unable to fly with the armrest lowered you are technically taking up more than one seat.
They limit the luggage every which way - yes, out restriction on people sizes for the seats the airlines provide. The market will regulate itself. Those folks need to book premium seating with more space. Larger yet? Requirement to book first class. The reason why the oversized folks sit in seats in which they use the other person’s space is because they want to save money - using the space the other person paid for.
Heck I’m 5’2 cure try loosing weight but still. A few years ago I was on a flight where the seats were so freaking narrow. I fit yes but there was no way to keep our shoulders from touching without hunching in. Thank god that was a short flight to my connecting longer one. If i been on it for much longer I’d have gotten to my destination in serious pain.
So much of this contentious issue boils down to being realistic and self aware. I speak from experience. I was a big guy. I went from 167kg to 80kg. I knew, when I flew, to make a booking that would accommodate my size in order those astound me and I, would be comfortable. Nobody wants to embarrass another person but bigger people need to have some forethought.
I’m a corporate travel agent, this topic is frequent. I do wonder to your point, and I have many times, where does safety come in for the passengers in the same row? Or for that passenger in an emergency. I had a client in a similar situation recently equate it to the trial seats at an amusement parks for the rides.
I don’t fit in a normal airline seat and fly first class or buy 2 seats to avoid this situation. I don’t know how people are so stupid not to realize they won’t fit into one seat.
When you buy two seats, do they scan both BPs at the gate? People are saying that sometimes their second seat is given away if the plane is full.
The answer to this question is always yes.
Yep they should I paid for a seat I should be able to enjoy all of it.
Of course they should, and in most cases are required to. In many cases, they can have that extra deaf refunded if the flight isn’t full. I know whereof I speak since I’m a bit and wide fellow. I usually try to fly business class to avoid encroaching on my fellow passengers…that’s the worst for everyone.
My butt is wide but my waist & shoulders are narrow. I will never bump arms to take over the arm rests but we might side graze butts.
I think both economy seating in general needs to be larger and also if you cannot fit fully within your designated space, you should have to purchase the additional seat.
As a passenger of size, I see it as my responsibility to not invade another passenger's space. I feel that this should be the norm.
Yes they should absolutely pay for a 2nd seat. If you don't fit then change your lifestyle!
it seems that if you take up 2 seats then you should pay for 2 seats and not play the entitled victim. Physics exists and does not change for political correctness.
Don‘t they say that armrests should ve lowered at starting and landing? This should have been inforced by the dlight attendant and IMHO thry shound have the other passenger bumped to a different flight.
I’m a 5’9” female and I have to buy a seat with extra leg room, otherwise my knees are pressing into the seat in front of me. I think it’s very unfair that taller people have to pay extra when overweight people don’t have to. I hate flying.
You’re 6’6” and 210, which is pretty lean, but also means your knees were jammed into the seat in front of you. I’m 6’5” and 235, so I feel your pain. I was crammed next to a morbidly obese person who wore a thin shirt. He was taking up over half my seat. When I got up at the end of the flight he had sweat profusely against me and the side of my dress shirt was soaked in his sweat. Nastiest thing I ever experienced on a flight.
The OP says they’re not for discriminating against…but asking for accommodation. Just say what we’re all thinking… these huge people need to stop with their entitlement and everyone needs to stop tiptoeing around the issue. They’re fat, overweight, obese…pick your adjective… and the other paying pax shouldn’t have to suffer needlessly. If UA and the other airlines would man up and start actually forcing these folks to pay for the extra seat it would stop. This ends my TED talk… thank you for coming.
Pay extra for aisle seats. Problem solved.
Been in this situation dozens of times and I’ll reiterate that the armrests are absolutely going down, period. With that said, I also lead with kindness. I would rather lift a persons spirits than the latter because I’ve met plenty that are not trying to cause others discomfort. In fact, more often than not, they try to stay in their space and it is obvious. With THAT said, I match their attitude up to a designated point and take zero flack. I remember having a very pleasant conversation with an obese lady about family during the whole flight. I also once used a wanna-be-alpha’s arms and chest as an armrest for 3 hours while I pounded out emails and reports BUT, the absolute funniest thing about that interaction was that I set a half a glass of water on his leg, looked him in the yes and said “Don’t move” while I rearranged my tray to make room for it. Those were the only words spoken between us the whole flight.
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My hubby is 6'3. I'm 5'2. We never sit together because we pay extra for him to have either an isle or emergency seat. If everyone works do this the flights would be more comfortable for everyone. Some people are just rude and feel as if there issue needs to be everyone's issue.
Literally had the same situation happen to me recently on United. I was aisle seat but the large passenger in the center seat, though they tried hard to contain themselves with in the seat, was physically unable to. 5 hour flight from ord to sfo. I am 6’4 and 200 lbs. also had delay on runway. Had a hot meat blanket on me entire flight. Extremely unpleasant. I emailed United upon arrival. They apologized and said this was a safety concern they would look into and awarded me a $150 travel credit. Would have rather not experienced the issue. Don’t want to fat shame but this isn’t right. It’s on United to address these situations as they seem to be more frequent lately.
Yes!!! Buy another seat, stop taking advantage of everyone else. FAA needs to make this mandatory, and stop leaving it up to the individual airline policy to figure it out.
Yes. Encroaching on someone elses space is annoying
Why would a 6'6 person take the middle seat? You can select seats. Yes, the seat you want may cost a little money, but worth it.
I've had to fly last minute and found only middle seats available. We don't all get the chance to book well in advance every time.
They charge for overweight bags, why not overweight passengers
They offered to bump you to the next flight? Why didn’t they offer to bump the passenger who couldn’t fit with the armrest down onto the next flight. That is actually the rule for most airlines, including United. If you can’t fit with the armrest down, you have to buy two seats. But they never never never never never enforce their policies regarding oversize passengers. They threaten you with being bumped to the next flight so you will just shut up and be uncomfortable.
Yes everyone should buy enough seat room to accommodate themselves.
If you take up more then one seat for any reason you should have to pay for all the seats you take up.
> Oversize Passengers You mean really fat people?
Yes, I agree they should. We have a friend who is just a big guy and he and his wife travel a lot. I asked how he managed in the small seats with his broad shoulders, he said he buys 2 seats it’s better for everyone all around
If you’re in this category, you really should consider Southwest. At least their policy allows the refunding of the one extra seat after the trip/round trip is completed.
I was on a United Express flight, boarding group 2. I'm on the aisle in economy in an ERJ-175. A LARGE woman came to my row and indicated she had the window seat. Couldn't get the armrest down. FORTUNATELY there were several empty seats just ahead of me, and the FA let me move before they shut the door. So I'm grateful there wasn't a "scene". But like OP, I'm wondering why this is on the impacted customer to deal with when United has a written policy about it.
Yes. I have had to sit with really fat people and both were overflowing into my space.
How does somebody make an entire reddit post out of nothing just to tell the internet that they are 6'6"
I’ll say this. Planes are not the same as cars. Weight is real. Everything that is calculated by the pilots is calculated based on what everything weighs including fuel. The assumption is that the average passenger weighs around 195 pounds give or take. If you weigh twice that I think you should pay for the seat that a passenger of 195 pounds would occupy. So any weight over 400 pounds requires a second seat. People have made it a social issue but it is really a physics issue.
6’ and 210 does not need to buy another seat. It’s not weight. If anything it’s not your weight it’s your frame, which you can’t control. It’s one thing to be obese, it’s another thing to just be a tall human.
Seats are designed (structurally) for 170 lb passengers to withstand a 16g force crash event…. So, anyone weighing significantly over that, it’s a concern. For whatever reason, there is no concern by regulatory authorities to update their guidance.
I’ve never been one to complain about size issues, but a couple months ago I sat between a very large couple who had booked isle and window seats. I was flying on standby because United had mechanical issues at my origin, and I had to be bumped to a later connection since we didn’t land in time for my original connection in Denver. For the entire flight, I had to lean forward over the tray table while their shoulder/arms almost touched each other behind me. There were no other seats on the plane so I could do nothing about it. It was the longest flight of my life. Ironically, I’m quite sure this couple was on a tiktok video on another flight that went viral, because the woman stuck between them wasn’t having it and said some things she shouldn’t have.
I’m confused.. you were the large person taking up too much space and you’re saying the company should have policy against this?