Obese Airline Rights: Canada Court Rules The Obese Have Rights To Two Seats

Reuters:

OTTAWA (Reuters) -- Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.

The high court declined to hear an appeal by Canadian airlines of a decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency that people who are "functionally disabled by obesity" deserve to have two seats for one fare.

The airlines had lost an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in May and had sought to launch a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court. The court's decision not to hear a new appeal means the one-person-one-fare policy stands.

Read the whole story: Reuters

Comments

[AmandaBC]

Smokers get special rooms in hotels that non-smokers would never accept. That means higher costs = higher price for non-smokers. Do we make smokers pay more? And how about special food on airlines. It does raise costs. Do you we make those who eat Kosher, vegetarian, salt-free etc. pay more? Where does this end?

BTW, I'm not fat and I don't smoke.
I am a strong advocate for gay rights as well. Guess what. I'm not gay.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

Does that mean you get two snacks too?

[Chaucea]

Geezus, talk about enabling! >:(

[xansam]

than why should children get reduced fares? they take up a seat, why should they pay less?

[ronin122]

This.

Now I'm not exactly skinny but I think this is absolutely stupid, unless you want to argue that (hypothetically, I haven't flown in years so I don't know) the airline companies are making smaller seats in order to fit more people and charging people more for their own decisions but even that has shaky grounding.

[gwhizz]

I don't think they do pay less. It's been a long time since I flew wtih children, but I'm almost positive there's no longer any such thing as a 'child fare'.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Culturemaven]

What airline gives reduced fares to kids? I'd love to know. I've always paid the same price regardless of the age of the passenger.

[TheInsomniac]

Does this mean the Dutch get extra leg space because they are tall? Does this mean the hungrier guy gets fed more food? Is this enabling obesity, or addressing disability? Who bears the burden of cost for that lost airfare? Should citizens have to pay extra for what may be regarded as the excesses of others? I pay a cost for gym use. I take up my time to stay in shape. I cook my own food so I don't suffer the harms of processed fare. So I get penalized with extra cost for my flight because other people don't take the time to do the same? That doesn't make sense. But then again, neither does providing healthcare for people who smoke or who don't care for themselves in a similar fashion.

[rigormrtis]

you don't get a second steak at a restaurant if you are still hungry.

[falgiano]

that's totally wrong. if you need 2 seats you pay for 2 seats. well it is Canada after all.

[Topsailsman]

Why price by the seat? Why not price by the pound or by the cubic space you take up? A short fat person would pay the same as a tall stocky person. Pricing is totally arbitrary.

[OkieIntellectual]

THIS!!!

[benne]

What does the photograph have to do with the story? She's at a picnic table. And, is anyone else getting sick of these headless fatties that accompany all these stories? It's really quite dehumanizing.

[VikingQuest]

It should be, they should be embarrassed.

[Topsailsman]

What should you be embarrassed about?

[TheInsomniac]

At least that will keep them from flabbing into my personal space.

[VikingQuest]

And you will also be subsidizing them because instead of the ability to sell 100 seats they can only sell 99.

[Omega9111]

This is just unreal ---- totally unreal. How in the holy "h" can someone spill over into another seat thus depriving someone else of sitting there and not have to pay extra? Wrong on so many levels.

[AmandaBC]

Do smokers have to pay extra for hotel rooms? Surely a smoking room will never be acceptable for non-smokers. That means higher costs. Do we make smokers pay more for their accommodation?

[gwhizz]

They do if they want TWO rooms.

[whit4brains]

Geez. They charge up to $80 to fly my dog, that weighs 15 pds and can fit in a carrier under the seat and they are going to GIVE someone a FREE seat because they are overweight. That's BS!

I realize that in some RARE cases people have thyroid problems but face it...the majority of obese people are obese because of the choices they make in regards to diet and exercise. It's not fair for them to get rewarded for that and for others to have to pay to make up the difference of the cost the airlines will be losing. Jet Blue gives you the option to pay more for more leg room...why can't they make larger seats and charge more for more butt room?

[benne]

So in the United States or Canada, you're not free to make choices. Then what does freedom mean? Certainly, we shouldn't only be free to express what we are genetically.

[whit4brains]

Sure people can chose to be obese if they want, but when they need TWO seats they should pay for them.

[Topsailsman]

I know it is fashionable to be judgmental toward overweight people. However, am I the only one who thinks those airline seats were designed for people who lived in the 19th century? Anyone who is taller than 5' 9" and/or weighs more than 170 pounds is going to be very uncomfortable flying in a plane. If cars were sold with seats like that, would you buy one? Want to know why planes are that way? Want to know why EVERYTHING about air travel s ucks and has for a long time? Because airlines don't care about their customers. Never have, never will.

[xansam]

true at 6'5" and 225 I have no room

[OkieIntellectual]

Hmm, well I'm a little taller and heavier than that (though not by much), and I don't have a problem with airline seats, even in coach.

No I really think the responsibility has to rest on the individual here. Everyone KNOWS that coach seats are not particularly roomy. Business class is a little better, but not by much. You know this when you're deciding whether to drive or fly to your destination, you know this when you choose your airline, and when you chose the level of service you want and can afford. You know this when you pack, while you're standing in the security line, and as you board the aircraft. You know going into it that if you're flying coach, its going to be a bit cramped.

And yet, rather than using market forces as they were intended, rather than showing your displeasure with a particular company's product or service by taking your business elsewhere, you piss and moan about lousy service.

By "you" I mean the general sense, not specifically you Top.

Point is, and I see this in every aspect of consumer life, we are apathetic about using the market forces to influence the behavior of market players. Its easier to just complain about a product or service than it is to find something better.

[LaurieLee]

I'm 5' 9" and about 126 pounds and I have trouble sitting in economy. I have to angle my legs sideways and even then if the person in front of me reclines it crushes my legs. The plane seats are too close in economy, so I bite the bullet and usually get business class seats.

[Topsailsman]

I have been told that Southwest runs a better airline, their website says they go to 62 cities. What are the other airlines that people can go to if they want better service? As you know, driving isn't always an option.

[hypnus]

How about those affricated with hemorrhoids? Can they use three seats so they may fly on their stomachs.

[TheInsomniac]

What I would give for that. I can't sleep in a sitting position, at all, and I have hemorrhoids. That's two reasons why I need three seats. Then again, I've thought for a long time that planes should have sleeping compartments. We could fit more sardines in the can if we were packed horizontally instead of being forced to wear the virtually useless seatbelt while we wait for our freaking peanuts. It amazes me that school buses and trains are allowed to function without seatbelt. But when it comes to a plane, in which a crash is not going to give a damn about a strap of nylon, you are forced to keep it on at all times. And, if people were asleep they'd save money on the free Cokes and peanuts, could cut back on attendants, and we'd all arrive at our destinations better rested - including the screaming kids.

[Sarahjan]

I am not fat and I do not need two seats.

[Sarahjan]

Pupadup4oBama

you have these views and you are for Obama! God save America! It needs saving because it is suffering from selfishness and meanness.

[Puzes]

Sarahjan ... are you kidding? please! anyone else who feels the need for 2 (or more) seats has to pay the price! advocating equal treatment for all is not being selfish or mean ...

[Sarahjan]

Thank you Canada for leading the way in human rights, including the rights of gay people and obese people. I am so proud to be a Canadian.

[benne]

Here, here!

[whit4brains]

So it's a human right to get a FREE extra seat because you are obese. Please! If you need TWO seats you need to pay for them!