US budget airline Southwest Airlines says that fat passengers who take up more than one seat should pay for a second ticket.
The airline has had the policy since 1980, but has reminded staff of the rule this week. It follows complaints from passengers about overweight customers taking up more than their fair share of space on flights.
Southwest says it will give passengers a full refund for the second seat if the flight is not full. In addition customers who buy a discounted, advance purchase ticket will be charged the same reduced fare for the second seat.
But pressure groups including the American Obesity Association are not amused. The association’s executive director Morgan Downey has called the policy “discriminatory” and “mean-spirited,” arguing that carriers should make their seats wider to take into account the fact that Americans are getting larger.
