doesn't suck that much money wise. the fat clearly already show they can afford double portions.

if you can afford to feed yourself with two peoples worth of food you can afford the second seat.

its not a disease, you shovel mountains of food into your gob, thats just a bad habit.

Put down the twinky and get on the treadmill

@urbanturban666: And the cycle continues...

on the plus side they get 2 meals if they buy 2 seats...

I am not sure what is more offensive, that the airline would come up with this policy or all the comments posted that "fatties" somehow disserve this. I am a big guy, not obese, just big, ten years of weight training big, and I barely fit in a coach seat. To add insult to injury I can barely afford the first plane ticket, being a grad student doesn't pay all that well. So what does the college linebacker do when he wants to fly home for Christmas?
I know that there are many people who have not had good flight experiences but to take your anger and hatred out on people because they are on the large side is ugly and offensive. The consumerist is about customer fairness and this is the first time that I've seen comments posted that instead of attacking bad customer service attack the customer as undeserving of sympathy.
Maybe instead of charging some people extra, they make the whole flight more comfortable for everybody and make the coach seats a little wider. Dollars to doughnuts I would bet that with this new policy the airline industry would take the opportunity to make coach seats even smaller just to get more people to buy a second tickets.

No, they're actually taking up part of my seat and airline seats are small enough! Most flights are full nowadays, and I've had chubbies pour over into my space. Now I don't mind sharing or giving up an armrest, but keep your legs and big arms out of my space.

One aisle seat trick is to put the aisle armrest up for more room. Sometimes it is a fixed armrest but more often than not it can be released to the up postion via a side button or hidden clip on the bottom near the hinge. It works especially well when the seat is not on the path to the bathrooms or some other place people keep walking.

This also helps to deplane more quickly as you don't have to gyrate as much to get to the over head compartment.

Anyway, your point brings up another: will they be standardizing seat sizes now? Not all planes are alike. I'm tall and athletic and have no issues with the larger planes. On commuter planes and some of the smaller commercial planes I notice how narrow those seats are.

I'm fine with this, if I ever got to the point where I couldn't put the arm rest down and my ass spilled into the seat next to me, I'd deserve to have to buy another ticket.

Fine with it as long as there are fair and consistent guidelines that the entire company follows and the decision isn't at the discretion of a gate agent with a 24" waist.

Although I have little problem with this policy on the surface, there is the issue that the seats are uncomfortable for a 150# person flying alone. This is totally under control of the airlines. So United better have some seriously standard rules to be sure this isn't just another scam to extract yet more lucre since we've got used to bending over for bag fees, food fees, etc. Americans are generally larger, but seats in planes are ridiculously uncomfortable for anyone regardless of size.

I was sitting ACROSS the aisle from a woman with a lap baby despite the fact that she couldn't sit in her seat even without a two year old attached, and she managed to invade my space from ACROSS THE AISLE.

I give up. I will share space with my boyfriend who is not fat, just tall. Anyone else...stay out of my 5" of shoulder room, kthx.

I am not terribly claustrophobic but I can't stand physical contact with strangers. Obviously that becomes more of a problem than the claustrophobia in this situation.

I am very broad shouldered and its unclear if this policy covers me. My shoulders, if I align one with the edge of one seat the other will protrude beyond the edge of the other by 4+ inches. So am I a dobule seat?

[www.news.com.au]

BTW, 1 ticket=1 seat is a good rule.

As if fat people don't already feel pretty shitty and get treated like second class citizens. And those fat people who DO act like jerks? It's a defense mechanism. It's a reactive attempt to save face in light of a society that throws constant hate and ridicule their way.

@soloudinhere: I'm the same size you are and have had the exact same problem. On my last flight there was a larger person who was obviously scanning the seats for a fellow flier who "doesn't need the space." Alas, he sat next to me and my fidgeting drove him bananas--but once the claustrophobia sets in....

Seems fair to me. I flew from Dallas to Hartford last Saturday (04/11) and was stuck next to a morbidly obese woman. I was sitting in a three-seat group at the window, she was in the center seat, and some poor guy was sitting at the isle. I'm a fairly decent sized guy (yet far from obese) and I was SCRUNCHED next to the window for a miserable 4 hours. I wish this was in effect then.

The argument that obesity is an expense for anyone except those who suffer from it just isn't true, but it keeps being trotted out by people who need "evidence" to back up a baseless assertion.

vrwght ppl knw thr lmttns. f y r vrwght, y knw whthr y cn ft n st r nt. Y knw f y cn g n tht msmnt prk rd. t's nt lk t's bg shck.

m vrwght. Whl d ft nt n rln st, prfr t hv th rmrst p fr my cmfrt. t's nt lk "spll nt" th st nxt t m. Lckly dn't fly tht ftn, s ths rlly sn't tht bg f dl.

Bt th prncpl s tht ths s dscrmntn ss. Wht's nxt? Whn y bk th tckts thy r gng t sk fr fll bdy pctr?

nd t mk sm n by nthr tckt? D y hv ny d hw mch tht csts? Nt t mntn th fct tht y r nw trtng cstmr s f thy wr 2 ppl nd nt jst n.

S t ll y lttl sknny dchbgs pstng n hr, GFY!

A lot of this will depend on whether the person next to you is a jerk and is going to complain about your massive shoulders. 99% won't.

(It hurts to say that.)

Why wouldn't it apply? Should pregnant people get an exception?

I actually spoke to a pilot (Lufthansa) about whether this would make sense. Of course he knew how weight differences (freight, etc.) actually impacted the flight's operational cost. Bottom line -- it doesn't really make much of difference -- perhaps a dollar or two between "skinny" and "fat" -- but his view was that the difference was almost too little to measure.

[blog.wired.com]

Everyone gets the feeling of more space and less encroachment by their neighbors. Fat people and tall people are accommodated. The airline actually gets to add a few more seats so they can make more money. Everyone is happy.

Bonneville offers:
Big seats with PLENTY of legroom!
All seats are window seats!
Generous baggage allowances!
Non-stop flights to ANYWHERE in the continental US!
Plus, get up to 3 additional adult fares when you buy a single ticket!

The only drawback is the plane needs to be gassed up every 350 miles or so. ;)

Even on regional jets I have at least 2" of clearance on either side of my hip bones, if not more. If I see someone who is clearly tall or whatever I will sometimes offer to trade to give them a little more room, and I'll often take one for the team and sit in that infernal middle seat.

However, I will not sit next to a person who is obese. One too many really awful flights in which my personal space was invaded and now I simply refuse. I won't even do it for family and in fact I think it's presumptuous that family members even ask.

Just buy a second seat if you don't fit. I have to pay for space I don't occupy...that doesn't mean you get to have it for free because I got the genetic short stick (literally).

So if my presence bothers you, I'm sorry. If you've ridden in an airplane and arrived at your destination uninjured, I have little to no sympathy because you've done better than I can ever hope to. Being uncomfortable or inconvenienced is unfortunate but at least you don't have to worry about whether the next bout of turbulence is going to cause the titanium rod in the seatback in front of is going to dislodge your kneecap again.

In other news, Airline seats are now being reduced in size buy 1/2.
This decision was made "for the children" so they could have a better fitting seat.

Airline seats are definetly too small. I've got an arthritic condition and so sitting for long periods with my knees at an acute angle absoultely destroys me with pain. As a result, when I'm on a plane, I frequently have to extend my legs into the aisle (been warned several times by stewardesses not to do that, into other passengers leg space (I mostly fly with family so it's never been an issue), but as a result of the general squashed in feeling I pretty much feel like a caged animal the whole flight. Given that I almost always contort myself into some other passenger's space I'd probably now be forced to buy 2 tickets. But my fundamental issue is that there isn't enough goddamned leg space.

What we need is a social networking site for airline travellers where people would say where they needed to fly from and to and people could chat and "buddy system." That way all the people that want to prattle on about their kids chat away, and business people could network. The seats would still be cramped but at least we'd get to be a bit more comfortable. I would never sign up for it because of security risks (thanks consumerist).

They're larger in the shoulder due to the outward curvature of the fuselage. I have people stare at me in total wonder when I say I prefer window seats but they provide me a decent amount of shoulder room and I don't need the legroom as I'm 5' tall.

A lot of tall people find the extra two or three inches to be as much shoulder room as they need to get by for a few hours.

That's how it'll work. If there are 2 seats available, the charge is waived.

Then again I'm 6'4 do I half to buy the seat in front of me now? Or can I charge the passenger in front of me for the knee massage they have to endure for the entire flight because United refuses to believe that anyone is taller than 5'8.

I mean, unless you weight 400 pounds, I doubt 250-275 guys are going to buy a 2nd seat

I am flying on a Dehavilland Dash 8 next week. It's an all time low for me.

If I ever fly, I'm mainly concerned about the flab land slide, not getting bumped in the shoulder George Atlas.

@veronykah: @HogwartsAlum: Social contract at work.

IME, most moderately broad-shouldered guys don't fit that well in a coach seat. I've had that issue sitting next to plenty of guys that weren't anywhere near overweight or bodybuilder bulky.

I don't think we have any sort of protected legal right to cheap air travel. Heck, if they can charge obese folks, older folks and women more for private health insurance, they can do this.

Good point. If a fat persons needs are to met in such a manner, tall people deserve the same treatment.

Then again, you tall people seem to have no problem standing in front of others at events and concerts, so until you guys learn that you belong in the back, I retract my statement.

Maybe you could make a side deal with a suitably large person to sell them 20% so they didn't have to pay 100%. The airline could work it like when they overbook. They could ask if there are any skinny pasengers that wouldn't mind getting cozy for a discount. Wait.... That didn't quite come out as intended.

I also agree. No offense to those who are larger than I, but this needs to be done everywhere. Not just with airlines.

The NASCAR race in Richmond, Va. runs us $90 a ticket. All we get is a small portion of bench seat. If a large overweight person sits in our row, it takes away from everyone. I pay a lot for that seat, and am not willing to give any of it up. I saw a guy take one and a half spots up, and that is not fair to those who pay that much money for a seat. I hate to be mean, but fat people don't belong at such an event. If you can't fit in a single seat without imposing on others, you should go.

don't like it? Then cut back on the Twinkies and beer.

Illness or not, it's not like the airlines give out free extra seats for disabled people. They may help you board and give you a bit of extra attention and help at no extra charge but you're still sitting in the same seats as everyone else. If you have a wheelchair, it counts as part of your total luggage allowance with most airlines. You don't even get that for free.

If I were you, I'd argue against this decision, not for it.

@sowellfan: What do you think the "metal detectors" are.

@dragonvpm: Yeah, no shit. I'm 6'2" and 255 pounds, big but not huge, problem is that whenever I'm on a plane my thighs, which are actually pretty muscular for my build are always jammed against the edge of the arm rests. I also used to work in a Tux rental place so I know I wear about a 46 long, which is a fairly reasonable size for a guy my height. But if I was any bigger I'd probably have to get two seats, and I know from working in the Tux job there are lots of people bigger than me.

I predict that United will drawback from this policy amid criticism. For example, what about people who do have legitimate reasons (ie. medical, not laziness) for being 400+ pounds. Andre the giant for example was only that size because of a pituitary disorder. Is united really willing to tell people with medical complications that they need two seats? How about pregnant ladies who are just beginning to show but who otherwise would only require one seat?

Is united going to refund fatties who reserve two seats, but lose weight before the flight?

And lastly, instead of getting more fat people to buy two seats, it's probably going to have the effect of every one trying their hardest to cram themselves in the seat, to prove they only need one.

Props to United on this policy. It is very uncomfortable to be seated next to an obese person for several hours who is encroaching on your space because they cannot fit into their seat. I realize that some people have trouble controlling their weight, but we can all control the way we affect other people especially in confined spaces like planes. Being too large for your seat and spilling into another passenger's seat is as inconsiderate as leaning into another passenger's space or kicking their seat. I'm sure some obese people will scream 'discrimination' but obesity is unhealthy and condoning an unhealthy lifestyle in indirect ways will not help anyone struggling with their weight.

Unfortunately, squeezing in more aisles causes major legroom type issues. When I was six months pregnant I flew across the country. Because the seat ahead of me was so close, I couldn't even put my tray down during the snack, since my stomach got in the way. I had to ask the guy in front of me if he wouldn't mind refraining from reclining his seat, as I was afraid it might turn my baby into an accordion.

I think that people will gravitate toward airlines like JetBlue that don't make the experience completely miserable.

BTW, just because you don't possess a handicapped permit doesn't mean you don't need a handicapped spot. There are overweight people who do need a close parking space, whether or not we like the fact that they are overweight or eating foods we don't think they should eat. I don't know if you can get a parking permit for problems related to debilitating weight, however.

Anyway, despite my empathy for the morbidly obese, I do understand the need for airlines to charge for two seats in order not to lose money.

@I'm Sorry, You're Wrong.: But you're not taking up someone else's space, you're taking up an unused seat on the airplane. According to United, if the seat is already occupied you have to find another flight.

@floraposte:

Ding ding ding.

@shockwaver:

There's more legroom, but they're no wider than the non-economy plus seats.

@Michael John Szabo:

Wouldn't really help - cutting width off seats only helps if you cut off enough to add another seat. In a 3x3 configuration, if each seat is 17" wide, that's 102" of seats. To fit 7 seats into that same 102", you'd need to cut 2.5" off each seat, and that people WOULD notice.

@OMG_Kitties:

Sure they do - they care a great deal, but only about customers who are willing to PAY for comfort.

@Wit:

Well, unless you think that there's no correlation between calories ingested and body weight, I think the connection is obvious.

Um, drug use is a choice, and drug addicts can get Social Security Disability, for goodness sake. It's easy to stay away from something that you can completely survive without - not so easy to stay away from food when you need it to survive.

And there are many, many people that are obese because of medications and medical conditions.

That said, I have no issue with this rule. Seems reasonable to me.

@LostTurntable: No one has a comfortable seat on an airplane. I am 5'4" and still leave the plane with aching knees and a sore everything from being folded up for so long.

You are allowed a comfortable seat because you're taller than me...you can buy an extra just like the obese people.

I'd even argue that the passenger should be allowed the extra seat's checked baggage space as well. Because since the obese person is stopping another person (who would normally be checking baggage) from sitting there and-so checking their baggage.

That restriction seems to be BS by the airlines.
Just another way to extort even more money from a passenger who paid for a second seat. You paid for two services, you should get everything that comes with each service.
You should get EVERYTHING you paid for. (including the double frequent flier miles)

It's like if you paid for two haircuts at a barbershop, and having the stylist tell you that you can only sit in the chair the second haircut, you can't actually get anything cut or even a combing. Not even look in the mirror.

By the way, pecanpi, I think I misunderstood your statement--you meant "this space" past the armrest, didn't you, not the armrest itself? Sorry 'bout that.

So when would you need to actually buy another ticket for your flight? If there's an available seat for you to purchase, the United policy as described would give it to you for free. If there's not an available seat for you to purchase, the United policy as described would force you to go on another flight.

Can anyone explain how this makes ANY sense?

They should charge by the pound.

What you seem to be arguing for is not that, but a system whereby you get more than other people do, because you think fault is relevant to what you should get. And my point is that people who are sitting in one seat are no more at fault than you are. If you're arguing based on fault, you're not entitled to more than anybody fitting in a seat. (I can assure you, nobody in coach is given a comfortable seat.)

@edwardso: maybe I should preview my comments. That should be "once I fell asleep..."

@floraposte: On one fell asleep on a stranger, on a flight for about and hour. When I woke up my head was on his shoulder and my arm across his lap. He didn't do anything to wake me. I assume everyone around thought we were dating

This wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for the fact that even my short, slim husband can't fit into most airline seats.

If they're doing it on purpose, they're counting on your being silent. And if they're not, why not work it out civilly with somebody you've got to sit next to for a while?

It's their fault for packing us in like sardines to begin with and now they want is to pay for it. It's offensive, insensitive, embarrassing and intentional. "

Do you have any idea how much money it would cost to reoutfit all the planes with new seats to accommodate obese people? And have you considered that the reason flights are as low as they are is that there are as many seats on the planes as there are? I.e., an airline wants to make $X on a given flight. They parse up the costs of that flight between the possible incomes from those seats. if there are 100 seats on that flight, they can charge less than if there are 10 or 50. Changing the number of seats would also change the complete price structure of the airlines. In other words, not likely to happen.

And yes, they put as many seats on there as they could - for a while, air travel demanded it. And yes, they are a business, so they would in fact appreciate it if we pay for their services, that is, a seat, or two, where appropriate, when we use them.

That's a great idea!

I've actually had one person lift up the armrest once I put it down. I put it down again, and put my arm firmly on it, even though I didn't want to use the armrest. I just did it so he couldn't lift it up again.

I don't object to this policy. However, IMHO, it should only be applied if the flight is otherwise full (or full-1). If there are several extra seats available that would not be utilized otherwise, there is no reason to charge someone because they need 2 seats.

Yes, it's safer to have a kid in an approved air travel seat than in a lap--as you say, if something happens, no parent in the world will be able to hold the infant. However, they're quite likely in more danger driving the same distance, which is the probable alternative.

Yes, the seats are too tiny, and too little for tall people and anyone who has anything attached to them that takes up space (like a pregnant woman, say).

That's a good thing about Southwest refunding the ticket if the flight isn't oversold.

@The Lonely Tourist:

I'm always fortunate enough to sit next to an overweight person on virtually every flight I've been on, and it's extremely annoying. It's like their fat oozes over into my area, and being tall doesn't make it any easier.

All right then, if you're going to put your armrest up so you go into my seat (AND YOU WILL IF YOU PUT UP THE ARMREST, whether you are fat or not), then I get to rest my skinny little head on your nice squishy arm and go to sleep!

Yeah, and since HFCS is in everything, good luck with that.

That's very thoughtful and organized of you. Reading this thread, I thought about people who are maybe not obese but need extra space if they are big, like Chumas mentioned earlier, or have some kind of medical stuff along with them that might take up extra space. It just seems like common sense to do what you do and book the seat ahead of time.

@Shrew2u:

Sure 3 inches at once would be noticed. However how about starting with 1/2 inch? The 'standard' seat width on a plane is 17.2 inches wide. United already runs a large number of planes with lower widths. And to be fair it runs some with a higher width. So when buying a new plane I don't think there would be an outcry notice if they used their already existing narrower seats? Or if they cut off another 1/2 inch?

Up to 2-feet across is by no means tiny, but it is technically less than 28".

@wezelboy:

Yep, sure is.

@Yossarian:

Not if your spouse is as large as you are.

At least large people can cancel their flight without having to may the change fee.

I'm small enough to fit into an airplane seat (except by height, my knees always hurt afterward from being shoved into the seat in front of me, once when I was in high school I flew to Italy and the person in front of me decided to recline their seat into me...), but even though these policies have no effect on me they still bother me greatly.

By the logic used to justify this policy, I should be able to sign a safety waiver and stand for the entire flight for free. Because you're not paying for the trip, you're paying for the seat. Somehow I doubt that'd fly with them.

If Scenario 1 happens that person might go ahead and buy the extra seat to make sure that they don't have to wait for yet another flight.

@AnonymousFinger: How about salt? Where do your taxes end?

@parad0x360: Oh come on, you know that's not true. Hell, there was even that Consumerist post about the guy who needed a liver transplant.

Not to mention the comments to THIS post where people have cited medical issues.

Now if they will start making parents buy tickets for their children too. Sitting in your lap should not be considered a seat.

In fact, you can bring car seats onto a plane, and it's a lot safer. There are children that get hurt/killed every year from sitting in their parents laps when something like turbulence hits, but you never hear it reported. I sat next to a pilot once, and he gave me the skinny on why. The only reason that the airlines don't make parents buy tickets for their children is because they know that a lot of people wouldn't be able to afford it, and therefore would not fly and therefore the airlines would lose money. Since the Department of Transportation doesn't have any sway when it comes to planes, they don't mandate carseats.

So, practically, will the obese ever actually have to buy an extra seat?

Scenario 1: The plane is sold to capacity = the passenger must wait for another flight. No extra charge.

Scenario 2: There are open seats, and surely someone would be willing to move so that the obese person would have two adjacent seats. No charge.

The only way they'd have to pay is if everyone on the plane is spiteful enough to force them to.

Under the law it doesn't really matter. In plain language it's illegal in Michigan to discriminate because someone is fat. Much in the same way it's illegal to discriminate based on a person's religion, ethnic background, or gender.

I personally think the law is BS. Fat people (including me) are different and should be treated accordingly. I'm just wondering how United will get around this law.

@jezebelcsz: Bravo! Victimization is so common these days and personal responsibility so rare, it is heartening to know that there are high caliber people like you amongst us.

You didn't say whether you were actively trying to lose weight, but I wish you luck and a long life. We need more folks like you in this world.

As much as some would hate to hear it..its their fault.

@johnva: I'm 6'6" tall, and let me tell you coach seats are hell.

Lard isn't covered.

The more serious problem with your suggestion is that it messes with the airline's business model. They make a large percentage of their profits from first/business class passengers, since those seats are so much more expensive. If they make seats in coach too large and comfortable, then some of those business class travelers might decide they'd rather downgrade and fly in the "larger" economy section. Then the airlines would lose a lot more money than just 1 economy class seat's value, and they would end up raising prices on all seats as a result. Sucks, but that's the truth.

United does have "economy plus" seats on their large planes which you can get by paying a bit more. But it's only more legroom, not more side-to-side space. I can see that they might do something like you're saying if the demand gets high enough (ie, if the number of morbidly obese people continues to climb).

The policy seems reasonable, and I don't necessarily disagree. However, I think we all need to help each other along. If I get on a flight (usually SWA) & see a large person, I'll sit next to them, or if I spot somebody who's clearly uncomfortable seated next to somebody large, I'll offer to trade with them. At 100 lbs. I don't take up much room.
There are usually just as many skinny people on a flight as there are obese ones. It balances out.

So NO, if you're still reading this, they are NOT, according to this article, going to move people around to help the "larger" person.

@MonkeyButt: Buying a second seat doesn't put the armrest down, when by definition these are people who couldn't put it down ....

That being said, do you want your meal supersized, or are you sticking with the salad?

@arthurborko: Who you spend time with is a personal choice. More often than not, so is being overweight, at least to an extent. Being overweight usually stems from poor lifestyle choices. Being overweight is not a disease, nor a disability. Being overweight isn't something that should qualify anyone for special privlidges.
You note that obesity has been rising in the last 20-30 years. I fail to understand why you think that airlines should cater to an unhealthy lifestyle? As the average weight rises, we need as much incentive as possible to fight it. Is it discrimination? Only inasmuch as Yossarian points out - it is a choice to include or exclude. That doesn't make it illegal or even wrong.
And before you get some incorrect mental image, I personally am formerly obese, and now merely overweight. And I applaud United for taking this step.

I think this is a reasonable policy, but carry-on limits and frequent flier miles need to be doubled. Pay for what is used, but be allowed to receive what you pay for.

can 2 really small people share a seat then? and only have to buy one ticket?

The expense involved to replace all the coach seats in a fleet with seats that are 3" narrower, in an attempt to get more people to buy two seats, would not lead to increased revenue - to the contrary. The seat replacement would be news long before the changeover could be completely implemented, and the airline would be hit with a massive uproar from the general public as soon as the first planes with reconfigured seating rolled out. The resultant bad PR and reduced bookings (because no route is monopolized by any one airline, those airlines with "standard" seats would get far more business) would give the airline a serious cause for pause.

The only way airlines *might* be able to get away with such a scheme is if *all* airlines colluded to replace their existing coach seats with narrower ones. The chance of that happening industry-wide is about the same as a snowball surviving high noon on a Tahitian beach.

I'm a fat @$$ (260 LBS) mand I agree with this too. Luckily I still fit in my seat when fliying. I've seen yabba the huts on airplane seats taking 2.5 of them! nearly the entire friggin' row! (side) charge em'! I say! and this will also stop me from getting to that point too! ;)

As someone who's been elbowed, kicked, sat on, boob-brushed, and squished (5' 95lbs, and yes I can sit cross legged in my coach seat), even normal sized people could use that extra inch they keep taking away and away and away--and United is the worst (or is it best?) at squishing us in.

As a fat guy... I agree with the policy. :)

@impetus: I like that idea

Hopefully you'll never have to sit next to Larry Craig!

I've been crowded out in planes by other passengers before and it's not comfortable for either of us, so I think that for comfort and safety it is a reasonable request. However, I think that it would be nice if they could extend a slightly discounted rate to the people buying these second seats.

I'm actually surprised that they're making adjustments to the baggage rule in light of this. It seems like they're missing another perfect opportunity to nickle-and-dime their passengers to death. Cheers to them for actually making a rule that (in a small way) works for the passengers for a change.

A far better policy, though, would be to offer larger seats at an additional cost per ticket. What is now a 4-seat inside row might be converted to 3 wider seats, with the total fare for the three being higher than that of the 4 (but not nearly as expensive per passenger as the cost of two seats). This is cheaper and less embarrassing for larger guests, and can be offered as a roomier luxury option available to anyone, rather than a punishment "for fat people". The smartest thing would be to take a potential HR black eye like this and turn it into a much-needed revenue generating policy that helps everyone. Crisis solved.

Isn't this one of those airline "rules" that had gone uneforced for years? Other examples include checked baggage weight limits, and carry-on size limits.

I am not skinny and I am not morbidly obese and my weight has really never affected anything I have done in my life but if it got to that point where I was making other people miserable because I was morbidly obese I would just feel terrible about it because I am not a jerk who expects the world to bow down to me because I am fat.

@SadSam: The "sitting in a lap" only applies to kids under 2. Anyway, You lost me at "comfort and security." How so? Who's uncomfortable? The parent, that's who. If they chose to fly in this uncomfortable fashion, that's their perogative. I fail to see a security issue regarding this too. As for safety... well, it's a minimal safety risk as the unrestrained child is only at risk in the event of a severe turbulence, which is quite rare, or a crash, in which case, even mommy is probably going to die too.

My biggest problem with this is from the other end. My daughter weighs less than 30 pounds, yet I am charged full fare for her. I realize that a seat is a seat, but the weight difference to me seems worth some sort of discount.

Also, JetBlue offers tremendous leg room, on regular coach seats, and their seats are spacious. I fly that airline whenever I can.

@arthurborko: "Longer/Wider pants require more material." And people who don't fit in their seat require more room and should be charged for it.

"Who you spend time with is a personal choice." It is still "discrimination." Discrimination =/= bad.

"If Obesity on planes is such an issue redesign the seats and make them a bit wider." What you are asking is for the other passengers to subsidize the obese. No thanks. They can pay for what they use or not fly.

@GuinevereRucker: I agree with this but also wish such was the rule for kiddos. I don't understand how and why it is safe and appropriate for another human (even a small one) to sit in the lap of another human for an entire flight. Every human should have to buy a seat both for conformt, security and safety issues.

The airline policy was enacted so there is a clear policy on what to do with an obese customer who cannot fit in the seat and for the safety and comfort of all the passengers.

I don't happen to think that alcohol should be taxed as much as it is.

@ludwigk: I'm about average at 5'6" but my boyfriend is 6'7" at age 21 and still growing. We fly together round-trip twice a year and he dreads those 4 days more than anything. We usually fly in a group of 8-10 people so most of the time someone gets aisle seat and trades but even that is uncomfortable for him.

He loves to travel and I don't think it is at all fair to tell him (or anyone who is tall, or fat for that matter) that he just shouldn't fly.

I agree with this new policy completely, and the idea of adding another version for tall people and exit row seats. I'd be fine with sitting apart from my boyfriend on every flight we take if it means he doesn't start each trip in pain.

They've been stuffing more and more seats into planes for years and now when they've reached a breaking point (obesity has been rising for 20-30 years) where it's finally starting to cause problems they elect to solve the problem by throwing a price tag at it.

It has nothing to do with making anyone more comfortable and everything to do with maximizing profit. They've been making people progressively more uncomfortable for decades. The extra charge is designed to ensure more money in their pocket or outright discourage obese people from buying tickets at all so they don't have to deal with them.

If Obesity on planes is such an issue redesign the seats and make them a bit wider.

It's their fault for packing us in like sardines to begin with and now they want is to pay for it. It's offensive, insensitive, embarrassing and intentional.

@OMG_Kitties: I love how fat people often attempt to derisively describe the non-fat as "Skinny Little ______". Since the morbidly obese are unable to do just about any physical activity, they should be glad all of us "Skinny Little Douchebags" are out there growing their food, delivering their potato chips and replacing all the damaged toilets.

If it were not for us, who would cut the giant hole in the wall of your house to transport you to the hospital when your sofa becomes part of your ass? Who would roll you onto the large animal scale at the zoo? Who would cut your toenails?

For the few cases out there where someone is fat due to reasons out of their control they could give a free seat to someone who could prove via an official statement (from a doctor) that the person is taking medication that is making them fat and there is no other way to treat their disease or that the person has a genuine disability that makes them fat. Provided the disability was declared when purchasing the ticket. In reality they shouldn't run into this enough that it would cause them any profit losses.

However if they did this then the rule would obviously be abused, since everyone would start claiming that fat is automatically a disability and making fake doctors notes and stuff.

I really don't have a problem with this in the extreme cases, but I'm in the same boat with Chumas and I'm going to be curious how this plays out for any of us who are just flat out big. I'm 6'3 and while I can easily buckle my seat belt (w/o an extension) in all the coach seats I've been in, my hips are just about as wide as the average coach seat and my shoulders are several inches wider, and as an added bonus my legs are long enough to bump up against the seat in front of me in all but the emergency exit rows.

So, I'm wondering if that's going to turn into an issue for me when I fly.

ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE. If you are too large to fit into an airline seat, why should the airline give you two seats for the price of one or let you shove into one and ruin the trip for those near you who was smushed.

If you can't fit in an airline seat you have a eating disorder that needs treatment and you need to look in the mirror and seek help, not bash the airline.

(This coming from someone who was very heavy growing up, is thin now and realizes HE was the cause of his being overweight as all obese people should be.)

it wasn't always possible, but i would do my best.

@babyruthless: This happened to me once while in high school on our senior day to a theme park. One of the most embarassing days of my life (also my motivation to lose weight) having to get off of the ride and wait at the exit while watching my friends enjoy the ride. I agree with United on their policy. I think it's reasonable. Airplanes are already uncomfortable enough with "regular" sized people being squeezed into a row of 3 seats. Because I almost always pick the aisle seat to be able to keep my leg extended from a past injury, I usually feel less cramped regardless of who's sitting in the middle, however while on a flight with my friends, our really big guy friend sat in the middle and I was somewhat smothered most of the flight. At least they're being sensitive to customers financial needs and aren't trying to nickel and dime every overweight person who flies United.

This policy seems completely reasonable and well thought out. Bottom line is that either there is room for you or there is not. If there is not you must pay for the room instead of forcing someone else who paid for their ticket to have half of you laying on them.

My only issue with these types of policies is the uncertainties in the booking process. I have no problem booking the extra seat and paying for it, but with this new policy it would appear that people who don't book the extra seat benefit financially if they are willing to risk getting booted from a full flight.

It would be really nice if they would help to encourage proper booking of seats for larger customers like myself by automatically issuing a refund for the second seat if the flight doesn't fill up.

I have hundreds of thousands of frequent flier miles built up by earning rewards from credit cards that I use to run my business. I am in fact a member of AA Million Mile Club, but I haven't been on a plane in over ten years. I've used the rewards I earn to fly family around the world. I've never used these rewards myself for fear of suffering further public humiliation for something I already battle each and every day. If more airlines make the process more transparent and less potentially humiliating maybe one day I can visit places in the world I have been dreaming of visiting.

Whether fat people have contributed to their obesity behaviorally or not, they haven't actually sat at the gate, thought about being thin vs. being fat, and chosen to be fat.

Couple of weeks ago, I was on a United flight seated in an aisle seat when this very large (obese)person came to sit down next to me. I had to get up, of course, to let him in. As he moved past my seat, he flipped my arm rest up before sitting down and taking up half my seat. There was no way in hell that arm rest could have come back down with him seated there. I asked for another seat (fortunately there was one available) and this guy gave me major stink eye as I gathered my things to move.

But does a plus-size shirt cost DOUBLE the price of a regular one?

I feel for people who might have to forgo traveling by air due to the tremendous increase in cost from one seat to two. (Yeah, yeah, I know: they could lose weight.)

[www.dlrp.org]

@Christopher Greer: I'm 6'9" and close to 300 pounds and it seems incredibly unlikely to me that someone 5'7" 160 would be anywhere near "barely" fitting into a seat.

@OMG_Kitties: Some people like to not touch the person in the seat next to them. Y'know, for comfort.
If you cannot put the armrests down and keep them down, it becomes a safety issue. It's not about airlines hating fat people.

I agree 100%. Ive done a lot of traveling - and I really think this rule should be applied to all means of transportation. I used to take the bus to/from Boston from NYC weekly, as well as the Amtrak train from time to time. I cannot count how many times I was shoved up against an obese person and MY personal space limited.
I recall one time on the Acela from NY to Boston, I was sitting at a 4 seater with a average sized man. We were both sitting by the windows. All of the sudden, a group of (off the clock) drag queens plant their asses next to us and at the table across as well. And of course the one that sat next to me was about 300lbs on a good day wearing only a tank top and smelling as ripe as ever on a hot July day. I couldnt even bend down to reach for my laptop plug, I was so smushed up against the wall - and of course he/she had the armrest up and rolled his/her eyes when I asked to let me out so I could find another seat.
Im not a small girl either, 5'7" and 155 (a size 12), but Ive never ever had a problem with fitting in a seat or with a seatbelt. If you choose to let yourself get that big, suffer the consequences.

So does the charge only apply in the second scenario where you have to take the next available flight? If so, they're making you late AND you have to pay for another seat?

And if there is a free seat on the next flight for you to be able to book, shouldn't they just comp you that seat like they were going to do if there was a seat on your original flight?

I'm not saying fatties shouldn't pay for two seats, but I feel like the policy is contradictory, unless I'm missing something...

This is more of a problem on certain planes than others of course, but you know what I mean.

I must say how sad I am by the comments here. While, yeah, it's not fun to sit next to someone who takes up some of your personal space, this is not a problem restricted just to fat people. I've sat next to plenty of skinny men with wide shoulders who didn't fit into the teeny airplane seats.

Worse is that this once again is devolving into "ew, fat people, you should go lose weight, you choose to be fat" nonsense, which of course the moderators let slide right by. People should look at their own prejudices. A fat person with a disabled permit might, hey, actually be disabled.

Being fat is a choice? Gee, that's news to me. I really really chose to be someone ridiculed, made to feel like a 2nd class citizen, have my dinner plate examined and told to "go on a diet" as if that's something I've never thought about before.

The issues are: Plane seats are too tiny, not just for the fat. Yes, if you can't fit in one -- no matter what the cause of your size issue -- you should be in two.
Bigotry has no place in the discussion.

@RecordStoreToughGuy: Smaller person? Good one!

I agree on the extra seat thing though. The airlines make money on number of seats sold. If someone can't fit in one, he should have to buy 2. Otherwise, the airline is losing money on not being able to sell that second seat.

I hate sitting next to large people or people who feel the need to spread their legs really wide while sitting or people who move around a lot bumping into me or annoying kids who kick my seat or kids who scream. I should just get a private jet.

Of course, given OTHER recent United antics I will be staying away from them myself.

@arthurborko: It is discrimination. So is charging more for longer pants. Or not spending time with people you don't like. That doesn't mean that it is, or should be illegal or that there is anything wrong with it. For the love of God, when did "discrimination" become solely pejorative?

@pecan 3.14159265: I love them too. I am a rather busty gal and have found that the armrest helps fend off the "accidental" yet persistent brushing up against my boobs with every turn of a page. I always put the armrest down immediately

Also, a policy like this would avoid even more embarrassing situations on the plane.

This policy makes total sense. You're paying for a certain amount of space on a plane to sit in, and if you take up 1.5 that amount, then you need another seat/unit of space. Same as if you were flying with a cello, which will often take up a second seat.

@pecan 3.14159265: that's not discriminatory based on weight, it's just obeying the laws of physics.

[www.dallasnews.com]

They "squeezed in" two extra rows. So, no, I don't think they're looking to make passengers more comfortable.

But I am good with this decision, and its currenlty not SOP on all airlines, when it should be.

[www.chicagotribune.com]

"Passengers who are too large to fit comfortably in single coach seat will be required to buy a second ticket or upgrade to business class, where seats are larger, if United's flight attendants can't find two open seats for them."

I'm not going to fly any Airline with this policy. This is just crossing the line. It's offensive, its discrimination, and it's exploitation.

seems reasonable, but maybe instead they should do a reduced rate for the second seat. Or fatty could just lose some weight.

@Michael John Szabo: If you use 1/2 an airline seat, you use it all.

Google search:

"The seat width on all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air aircraft(armrest to armrest) is approximately 17 inches and the seatbelt length is 46 inches. Passengers needing extra coverage may ask the flight attendant for a seatbelt extension, which adds 25 inches to the
seatbelt length for a total of 71 inches."

I saw a few other entries indicating seat belt length at 47 inches, but standard seat width was always 17 inches.

And if they do...well...Consumerist knows what to do. :-D

Then what happens if two fat people are on a flight and there is only one extra seat? Who gets kicked off? Will it be based on who is fatter?

Hasn't this been a policy for several years now? I'm sure I remember reading about outraged plus-sizes complaining about this in the past. Maybe just not on United?

So if two slim people could fit into one seat, do you think United would only charge them for one ticket?

@shaken_bake: I would think too that you've got to know at the time you make your flight reservation whether or not you fit into one of those seats (unless maybe you've never flown before, but even then seat widths and seatbelt lengths are widely available via internet or phone call to airline). I can't imagine how embarrassing it would be to get called out by a gate agent or flight attendant for being too large to fit into a seat and being asked to fork over cash for the extra seat in front of other passengers. I would think most people would do what's necessary to avoid that embarrassment.

While I have no problem with this directly, It doesn't seem like a completely black and white issue. The problem I see is that the Airline controls the width of the seat. They want all the seats as small as possible so they can fit more people on. So what if they decide to make the seats 3 inches narrower next year and 40% of the US population now needs to buy extra seats? I do think United should be charging extra for the additional seat that is requried, however charging the full price for that seat seems like it could lead to problems. After all I don't think the large person actually needs a full two seats, 1.5 seats would probably work out just as well.

@haoshufu:
They do allow the extra luggage, but not the extra carryons (I'm assuming for security reasons more than spacial ones). As far as extra drinks and peanuts... well... insert your own joke here.

No kidding! One of my favourite quotes from my future mother-in-law: "If they treated animals the same way humans are treated in airplanes, PETA would be out marching in the streets!"

And I have to disagree that "overweight people know their limitations" when it comes to this. I've been jammed up against fat people on planes before who were taking up a seat and a half. Many fat people may "know" they don't fit, but most don't care enough to actually pay for another seat unless forced to. On my last long trip I was sitting next to a guy who did this AND constantly stuffed his face with smelly food like barbecue chips and mustard-and-mayo sandwidches the whole 5 hour flight (he brought along a whole BAG of food).

The irony was that he had free drink coupons that could have made the flight more pleasant but he couldn't reach his wallet to get them out.

It wasn't that complicated at all. I purchased both seats in my name after calling Delta to confirm that this was okay.

This is the first time I've done it. I'll come back and share if there are any problems at check in.

If being too fat for an airline seat is a disability, then being too tall for an airline seat should be a "disability" too.

I must have had this person on the return flight. I was stuck next to a woman in the middle seat who splayed herself out equally into the seats on both sides. I asked to be moved and she raised a holy ruckus about it.

I finally looked at her and said "we'll both be much more comfortable if I move...especially now".

I travel a lot for work and we always fly united. I can't count the times I've gotten stuck in half a seat because someone next to me doesn't fit. This policy is long overdue.

@WOPDingo: parge = large

@harlock_JDS: It was Southwest, and the show was, in fact, called "Airline" on Biography Channel. But yeah, they did that exact thing with a VERY parge passenger. Southwest is an all around decent airline, assuming you don't mind the quasi-cattle-call boarding process and lack of amenities - though that is becoming more common with ALL American carriers. Plus, they handled the obese passenger issue very well.

@AirIntake:

Took the words out of my mouth. Tallness is a disability in some circumstances.

Obesity is (almost) always a choice!

How can a choice be considered a disability? Oh, but I see this every day at the grocery store... car pulls into Handicapped parking, enormous fat person gets out of car, leans on car, lights up cigarette. Person heads into store, where I run into them later, with a cart full of biscuits, butter, bacon, beer, and . . . well, alliteration over.

I mean maybe their obesity is the result of another disease or disability, but I think I know better.

And now, I'm off to my lunchtime gimp walk so I won't have to worry about this stuff in future. :)

I weigh 210 and am 6'2", not obese, but if you get one of me on each side of you, you are constrained on any airplane. When I have to sit next to a guy my size we are both unhappy. But I fit the rule.

You have to be enormous to exceed the limits. If you are that big, find a provider that caterers to your situation, or breakout your wallet, and eat some carrots.

@jezebelcsz: That's great, and I whole-heartedy applaud you. How did you actually get it to work, and what airline did you fly?

My parents are both larger, though they both fit in seats and wouldn't HAVE to buy another seat, but they've found it's cheaper and much more comfortable to purchase an entire three-seat row in coach for every flight they take instead of upgrading to first each time they fly. They're USAir (I know, I know...they suck) frequent fliers, but have been unable to get ANYONE at USAir to tell them if one of my parents can buy two tickets to incorporate an empty seat between them. More to the point: with airlines consistently overbooking, my parents are afraid that the airline will notice two tickets booked for one person and assume it's a misbooking and give the seat away. And, as I mentioned before, NOBODY and USAir could tell them if this was allowed - after four supervisors and countless reservation specialists.

I mean, thank you for a well thought out response and taking the opportunity to put responsibility where responsibility is due. So rare.

@jezebelcsz:

Friend I am in the same boat as you. Some my fault, and some medical. I have the body scars to prove it. I definitely don't mind being a not so small person myself.

This happend to me once.

Me: Hello, I need to book 2 seats for xxxxxxx

TWA: I see this flight only has 16 people on it, are you sure you want two tickets for this flight

me: ok I am a larger gentlemen, It would probably be more comfortable for me to fly if I bought 2 seats.

TWA: Tell you what, is there also another time that you need to fly as well? like a backup time

me: well my last resort choice was X.

TWA: Tell you what, pay for one ticket, if the second one is needed we can check it at the counter when you check in.

I go to the counter, and I give the guy the paper on what she told me.

He: Yea that flight only has 25 people out of 115 coach. You should be fine.

Me: (pays for my one ticket)

At the counter, I had to check one last time. The person at the gate checked again, and the manifest was only 25, and I told her I didn't have a problem buying another seat.

She: you will be fine and I can assure you we will have the room.

Sure enough they had the room for me, and that was quite a nice flight.

Thanks to you TWA!

I am totally okay with this. I just flew to PR (from Orlando) and I had to sit next to an overweight woman who needed an extender, 1/4 of her body was in my seat, and she could not put the arm rest down. The flight was only 2.5 hours but there was an 1.5 hour delay b/c the pilots for our flight were stuck in Baltimore. I wrote a letter to AirTran asking for a free ticket to any destination in the continetal US. We will see what happens...

@nerdtalker: I recently flew with my signifcant other who had a hard time fitting into the seat. That was uncomfortable on so many levels.

@jezebelcsz: Not that respect from anonymous internet people means anything, but I respect the hell out of your approach on this.

@MoreFunThanToast: Yeah, this is definitely reasonable, especially for not-particularly-large people that are often seated next to those people that have "spillage" into adjacent seats.

HOWEVER, the question remains as to whether or not gate agents ruley. Having a policy is one thing, but actually having a flesh-and-blood person confront another, rather large flesh-and-blood person about their obesity may prove too awkward for a lot of airline employees. End result: status quo but lots of lip-service.

it will never happen... but I can dream though.

lol awesome

@jezebelcsz: Wow, I didn't expect to see a level-headed response like this. Thank you.

*My pet peeve. I'm a lady, I like my personal space, please refrain from feel me up with the backs of your arms.

For the record, I never require a seatbelt extender and I do technically fit into the seat (armrests can come down and I don't hang over them, but it's not very comfortable for me). Still, the issue is my problem and I work very hard to make whomever is next to me comfortable - because they paid for the flight too.

OK the good news for obese people is they can still book their flights in the middle of the day, with no worries. The flights from about 10 a.m. to maybe 4 p.m. are seldom filled up, you can always get an extra seat.

I've flown in the middle of the day on almost-empty planes.

The bad news is, these flights are the most likely to be "cancelled" or "delayed" so the airline can fill up another flight. If that happens, the obese people are screwed because they'll never get a 2nd seat for no charge.

@Yossarian: Volume in the wrong directions, that is.

@GMFish: It's not weight, so much as volume. I'm sure I weigh more than a lot of people who won't fit into an airline seat, I just have it spread over more height.

@jezebelcsz: yes, kudos to you.

...will be REQUIRED to rebook on the next available flight...unless you don't want to, in which case they'll give you your money back. why flag the statement bold if you're going to immediately tell me that it's not a big deal because i can refuse and get a refund. if anythign, bold the second statement, because refunds from airlines are rare as hell compared to rebooking.

I agree with this.

I also think that if smokers and drinkers are to be "sin" taxed, there should also be a "fat" tax on sugar/HFCS. Obesity costs society more than smokers do. BTW, I'm a non-smoker.

Logically, the larger people would continue to always buy just one ticket and hope that they can be given the extra seat for free. It seems like the status quo to me.

Seriously I have been in the position of Sharing part of my seat multiple times. While it is uncomfortable for me I could tell it also wasn't comfortable for the heavy people next to me. This will ensure a more pleasant flying experience for all at the expense of those people that should bear it.

I totally agree with this policy. I would offer a discount on the two seats though. Just as a courtesy. But, in reality tragically obese people can weigh as much as four people. That takes fuel and space.

About damn time.

it's already enforced on other airlines... The tv show about northwest airlines (called airline i think) even had this in an ep (they go on the plane before everyone else and make sure the person can fit in the seat and everything).

I wonder how this policy will survive in Michigan. Is making a fat person pay twice really a reasonable accommodation?

If you are paying for 2 seats, you should get what you paid for that comes with each seat, including 2x the carry on, choice of checking bags on 1st ticket only (1st and 2nd instead of 1st and 1st). Most importantly, you should get 2 drinks and 2 packs of peanuts.

Next to the box where you check to make sure that your carry on will fitt in the overhead compartment there is going to be a chair to see if your ass will fit in the seat. Are they going to start making people disclose their weight when booking a flight so that they can evenly distribute the weight throughout the plane? You do not want all of the fat people sitting in the back of the plane.

I don't see anything that would charge ONLY if someone was seated next to them so i assume they would have to pay even if the seat next to them was unsold.

@BeerManMike: Or im guessing all of the math would be done pre-boarding time and anyone that needs 2 seats would be accounted for and factored into the grade scheme of things as to weather he could be booked for the flight or has to take another one?

I do understand that it can be awkward and embarrassing, though, and do hope that United handles situations that arise with tact and discretion. And I wonder how you know in advance if a person is going to require two seats. Do they guesstimate?

That said, they might also consider widening seats a little in future planes? Is it really necessary to cram everyone in like anchovies?

I am clinically obese. There are a number of reasons for this, many of which are medical, and some of which are my own fault.

I just bought airline tickets on Delta this week for a family trip. We proactively purchased an extra ticket, and I have absolutely no problem doing so. It makes for a more comfortable experience for me, for my family members who might sit with me, and prevents an awkward and potentially embarassing discussion at the check-in counter.

My physical condition is *MY* issue. I need to own it, and not place it on some airline employee, who quite honestly gets enough abuse from frustrated travelers.

Yes, it's embarassing for me. It's also embarassing for the airline employee whose job it might be to point it out. I can minimize the embarassment by taking these steps in advance.

oops that's 2 questions.

1)What if you are flying next to a family member (and only next to that person i.e the fatty has the window seat) that doesn't mind you taking up part of their seat Do you still have to buy the 2'nd seat.

2) what if the flight isn't full?

@Sockatume: Ok but if there are not vacant seats next to each other then that means the plane is full and you would have to take another flight or get a refund right? how can you pay for the seat next to you if its taken?

Or does there have to be a vacant seat somewhere else and make the other person move to accomodate the "larger" gentlemen? Get my question?

@AirIntake:

>>Head explodes<<

So that my wife or daughters don't get subjected to this, I always have to take the grenade and sit next to "I need my space and half of yours"-guy.

Good for United.

So how is this going to be enforced, I wonder? Will a well trained United agent be able to eyeball a person and determine if they need an extra seat? Just the fact that a person can fit into a seat with the arms down and get a seatbelt with extender around their middle does not guaratee that they still won't be spilling over into someone else's space. I'd love to hear of actually cases where this rule is enforced - that's going to be fun!

Just to give you an idea, this is me: [i27.photobucket.com]

@Yossarian: They could have a test seat, like they do to see if you're too big to ride a rollercoaster at theme parks. I spent 3 summers working at Six Flags in high school/college, and man, there was nothing worse than having to tell people that they were too big to ride, after they've been waiting for 3 hours in line.

Good for United (and their customers) for this policy.

@BigPapaCherry: Facebookers Should Need Approval: It is definitely not standard, and while I understand it's probably an awkward conversation to have with a passenger, I've been put in some really horrible/uncomfortable spots. I have actually asked to be reseated when the passenger next to me refused (couldn;t) sit with the arm rest down. She of course became loud and obnoxious when I asked to be moved to a new seat, but really, don't expect to lay your fat all over my side for free.

As a frequent flyer I applaud this move.

"If a customer meeting any of the above-listed criteria decides not to upgrade or purchase a ticket for an additional seat, he or she will not be permitted to board the flight." How do they know for sure before the passenger boards? Are they going to have a test seat somewhere?

I could see an exception if the person who won't fit is sitting next to a friend or family member who agrees to share a little space.

Other than that, this sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

All they need to do now is take a cue from the credit card companies and figure out a way to shrink the seat after you're already sitting in it.

Makes sense anyway, though United should respin it as helping to fight America's obesity epidemic.

Yup. Sounds good, although a bunch of PC cry babies are going to post here soon.

I do think if the plane is not booked fully and there are extra seats (side-by-side) then the person should NOT be charged extra. How the figure out all of that and the rules for it are beyond me.

I agree with this policy. It seems very resonable (as somone who can easily fit in one seat) to me.