AIRLINE PASSENGERS too big to fit into their seats may soon have to reach deeper into their pockets after a US airline announced it may boot obese fliers off full planes and charge them for two tickets on the next departure.
Under United Airlines’ new rules, passengers too big for a seat will be moved to two adjacent empty seats at no charge, the airline said. But if none is available – a likelihood, because most US aircraft now take off at or near full capacity – overweight passengers may have to upgrade to a larger business-class seat, or buy two seats on the next flight.
The Chicago-based carrier said it adopted the policy after receiving more than 700 complaints last year from passengers who felt cramped by supersized seatmates. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and more than a third are obese, according to the US Centre for Disease Control. – (Guardian service)