Too Fat To Travel?
Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by Stenberg-Tendys W.L. in Travel
The United Telegraph reported that of the people surveyed three quarters believed that airlines should have a ‘fat tax, for passengers who are overweight. The same group of people however disapproved of forcing obese customers to purchase a second seat.
Air France has a policy whereby obese passengers are given 25% discount off their second seat. However, new legislation next month will entitle obese customers a full refund if the flight is not fully booked.
In 2008 Air France was ordered to pay $10,000 in damages to a 27 stone passenger who had his waist measured at check-in, before being told he would have to purchase two seats.
Not everyone agrees with Barry Smith, Skyscanner co-founder and director, who said, “On one hand, it’s not unreasonable for airlines to charge passengers extra if they occupy more than one seat. On the other, many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers.”
Nearly 64% of all Britains are classed as overweight. The Pacific island nation of Nauru is classified as the world’s fattest nation, with 94.5% of its population overweight.
Airlines may also be facing difficulties on another front. British Airways is being sued by an Australian businessman over a very ‘humiliating’ policy, which forbids male passengers from sitting next to children they do not know.
Mirko Fischer claims that all males are classed as potential sex offenders and publicly shamed because of the airlines policy.
It is the task of the airline crew to patrol the aisles of the aircraft, prior to take off, to ensure that no man is sitting beside a young passenger who is travelling on their own, or separated from their parents.
Any offending person is asked to move and informed that the aircraft will not take off until the passenger has complied with the request.
33 year old hedge fund manager, Mirko Fischer, was placed in the middle seat between his pregnant wife and a 12 year old boy. A male steward asked Fischer to change his seat with his wife.
Fischer refused, at which point the steward raised his voice, creating a focal point for the surrounding passengers.
Fischer eventually moved, as he was so humiliated by the incident. He is now suing British Airways in the Slough County Court, on the grounds of sexual discrimination.
“This policy is branding all men as perverts for no reason,” said Fischer.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] Air France has a policy whereby obese passengers are given 25% discount off their second seat. However, new legislation next month will entitle obese customers a full refund if the flight is not fully booked. However, read how airlines are facing another problem with classing all men as perverts… [...]