8 airlines require "obese" to purchase two seats

United Airlines just announced their implementation of this policy, which Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and 3 others already employ.

We had a thread about it last year.

I just thought I'd post this because I just read a better explanation of the policy than I've seen elsewhere.

Under the new policy, obese passengers - defined as unable to lower the arm rest and buckle a seat belt with one extension belt - will still be reaccommodated, at no extra charge, to two empty seats if there is space available.

If, however, the airplane is full, they will be bumped from the flight and may have to purchase a second ticket, at the same price as the original fare, Urbanski said.

If the bumped passenger chooses to cancel the trip, the ticket will be refunded with no additional charge.

if you need more than one extender belt to fasten the seat belt, then you really do need two seats.

so while a person might be obese when they're more than 30 lbs overweight, that's not what the airline policy is referring to

I remember when this first started hearing that some people had to get two seats, but then the seats weren't together, so it was useless - sounds like maybe the airlines are being more realistic and not just using it as an excuse to charge some people more?

Yeah, this is fair. I would understand having to pay more - however, getting bumped would definitely suck - especially if the reason for traveling was an emergency.

They should provide information in advance about the circumference of the extended seat belt to enable people to buy two seats, ahead of time, if needed.

This is definitely reasonable. 

I agree that's fair.  I feel for the obese person who would have to endure the embarrassment of not fitting in the seat even with seat belt extensions.  As a formerly obese person, I understand how bad that must make people feel.  I would probably have simply avoided flying unless absolutely necessary.  There are probably a lot of people who do.  But I digress.  What I meant to say was if a reasonable accomodation is made and a person still can't fit, they should be asked to buy a second seat.

**Another incentive to continue my weight loss**

I think its fair as well.  I remember hearing about this a while ago and the uproar that it caused...  Hearing rumors that the airline would determine you BMI and if you popped the 30 mark you would have to buy an extra ticket.... its amazing how the telephone game works in everday life

This is completely fair.  Have you ever been next to someone who "fit" into one seat but had to sit there with the armrest up, pressed thigh to shoulder against you even when they're sitting there with their arms folded?  It is not a pleasant experience for the normal-sized person, and it's not fair to ask them to subject themselves to that invasion of space when they both paid the same price for the ticket.

this happens here and has for years, it is not so much to do with punishing someone for their weight it's to do with safety first and the comfort of other passengers, they are also always seated in inside seats (window) they are not allowed to sit near emergency exits, this rule applies to anyone who is mobility impaired also.

I think it is fair... 

Fair enough, if you are using more space why shouldn't you pay for it. Also, they can still weigh twice as much as me and get the same baggage allowance...