A photo of a plus-sized passenger on a plane has sparked a heated debate over whether larger travellers should have to pay for an extra seat.
The man was photographed by a fellow passenger as he tried to settle into his aisle seat during a flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen on Monday.
The photo sparked a heated debate over whether plus-size passengers should pay for an extra seat or whether it was the airlines’ responsibility.
“This guy sat behind me on my flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen yesterday,” the man who took the photo wrote on Facebook.
‘I felt sorry for him and the guy next to him in the middle seat, they must have both been very uncomfortable during the short flight.
“Perhaps it is time for airlines to approach situations like this in a thoughtful and sensitive manner.”
The man said the largest passenger “protruded into the aisle,” forcing other passengers to squeeze around him on their way to the bathroom.
Some said it was the man’s responsibility to pay for an extra seat.
“It doesn’t matter why someone is traveling overweight, if that’s the case, they should buy an extra seat. That’s not discrimination, it’s a safety requirement,” said one.
The plus-size passenger was photographed by a fellow passenger as he struggled to get comfortable in his aisle seat during a flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen on Monday.
“I agree that if you don’t fit in your seat, you have to buy another one. Whether we agree or not on seat size, you are buying a certain amount of space on the plane and it shouldn’t spill over into someone else’s space,” another person wrote.
“Just like with checked baggage, there should be a weight limit for single-seat passengers. And that limit should be based on seat size and class,” suggested a third.
“I’m a fat guy. Probably this guy’s size. It’s his responsibility to make sure he’s comfortable and that no one else feels crushed by him,” a fourth man said.
‘Airlines should make seats bigger and more comfortable. Not for people like me, but for ordinary people. Most people feel uncomfortable in normal seats.
‘I always buy an extra seat or, more recently, opt for business class.’
“My dad’s friend was that big. He always understood that traveling meant one of two things: he had to pay for first class or he had to buy two seats. He never complained about it, he just went with the cheaper option,” wrote a fifth.
“We had wonderful friends who were this big. They always bought three seats,” another commenter shared.
However, others said it was the airline’s responsibility to improve its policies.
The photo sparked a heated debate over whether plus-size passengers should pay for an extra seat or whether it was the airlines’ responsibility (pictured, Sydney Airport)
“Airlines need to be reined in. People are not cattle yet, that’s how airlines see them. Travelling used to be nice (even in economy class) but now only those who can afford business or first class are treated as human beings,” wrote one.
“This happened to me once a few years ago, when a guy like this sat in the middle seat next to me,” another person wrote.
“I’m quite small, but it was very uncomfortable for both of us. I agree that airlines need to address the situation.”
“Unfortunately, airlines are a business. They will try to maximise their profits as much as possible. Companies might tolerate larger seats, but they are not likely to make seats that allow this guy to be comfortable,” said a third.
“In my opinion, Spirit Airlines has mastered this aspect. I’m a big guy and always reserve a big seat in the front. It doesn’t cost much more if you buy it in advance and it’s very comfortable for me and others,” said a fourth passenger.
“Other airlines should do the same.”
Others shared similar uncomfortable experiences they had had on flights.
“Last year I had a woman like that next to me. I had to sit a little to the side so I wouldn’t touch her. My legs and hips hurt for days because I was sitting like that for four hours,” said one man.
“I was on an international flight sitting next to a man of that size. My husband and I took turns standing in the aisle because he took up his seat and most of mine. The flight was full and the crew did nothing about it,” one woman wrote.
“A large gentleman sitting behind me was having trouble getting comfortable and kept pulling at my seat. I did not tilt my seat to prevent him from being more uncomfortable, even though I had back pain myself. I think airlines should consider implementing a seating policy to ensure comfort for all passengers,” said another.
