Poll shows slight majority wanting higher prices for overweight travellers

Airline Industry Information, Sept 12, 2005

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A poll at Airlines.ws, an Internet airline directory, has shown that 55% of respondents think that airlines should charge overweight passengers more for tickets.

The question "Should overweight passengers pay more for their airline tickets?" reportedly had the response "Yes" from 55% and "No" from 45% of the 365 respondents. Airlines.ws however said that although there is a slight majority that feel this way, the directory received far more e-mails from those that feel that charging more for an airline ticket to those with weight problems is discrimination.

Airlines.ws also pointed out that Southwest Airlines has recently announced that it is charging those passengers who cannot fit in one seat with the armrest down the price for two seats.

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