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Obese People Get Two Airplane Seats in Canada

Posted on Nov 24th 2008 6:00PM by Martha Edwards

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

Remember a while back when I asked you if a implementing a 'Tubby Tax' was appropriate to compensate for the amount of extra cost it takes to transport obese travellers? Sixty-six percent of you were against the idea, and it looks like the Supreme Court of Canada agrees with you -- and has gone a step further. In a recent ruling, officials declared that people 'functionally disabled by obesity' have the right to be given two seats on an airplane for the price of one. Pretty significant, huh?

What do you think of this decision? Is this fair? On one hand, it seems unfair to make people pay double for a flight just because they weigh more. On the other, it's unfair to other passengers to give two seats for the price of one to people who can't control their eating. Does it depend on the situation?

Should obese people be treated to two seats for the price of one?
Yes, absolutely.	41 (17.8%)
No way.	134 (58.3%)
It depends on the situation.	49 (21.3%)
Other -- tell us in the comments.	6 (2.6%)

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7 Comment

Tags: airplane, canada, clinically obese, ClinicallyObese, fat, flight, medically obese, MedicallyObese, obese, obesity, seat, seats, supreme court of Canada, SupremeCourtOfCanada

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tim 11-24-2008 @ 7:15PM

If you're "obese" but able to keep in your own seat I see no issue. But if you're taking up other peoples space then you should pay for it.

anastasia 11-24-2008 @ 7:27PM

this is disgusting and unfair. two seats=two tickets. unless they want to give me a free extra seat b/c i'm people-chlostrophobic

CJ 11-24-2008 @ 7:30PM

I don't agree with 2 for the price of one - I would agree to a cut in price on the second one though. Would that be a happy medium ?!?!?!

I think it's a great thing for truly disabled folks (not sure I agree with obesity being considered a disability). What I got from all this was that a person with a disability (beyond obesity) could have two seats - one of which could be for an attendant for extra help. That would be a good thing.

sandra 11-24-2008 @ 8:00PM

if obese people are allowed 2 seats for the price of one airlines will have to increase ticket prices AGAIN to make up for any money they would lose by giving away a free seat. I agree with CJ that maybe a deal on the second ticket would be appropriate. But how is there any way to tell if someone is obese or not when buying plane tickets on the internet? People could lie just to get cheaper deals.

Em 11-25-2008 @ 12:42AM

I disagree with those obese getting two seats for the fare of one. It almost seems like they are rewarding people for being obese.

andrea 11-26-2008 @ 9:49AM

UNFAIR! Two seats=two tickets= double the price. If you want to give someone a break, take out a row of seats and provide double the leg room for certain passengers! My fiance is 6'8", and airplane travel is nearly unbearable for him. He at least can't help being large! Obese people can. They did that to themselves, and I have no qualms about making them pay for it.

Trevor 1-31-2009 @ 2:27AM

I do not think that they should be given the extra seat. You are paying to rent a seat for however much money. if you only want to pay for one seat, get first class. You aren't paying for a person to get there but for the seat space. The Ferry charges different amounts if you bring a huge truck over a little car. Why should planes be any different?