How would you deal with this situation?

[maia200]

Certainly I would have asked the passenger next to me to stay on his side of the armrest....if that could not be resolved the cabin crew would have been asked to find an alternative for the overweight passenger. We each pay for one seat and I expect enjoyment of my whole (little) space. Not nasty just the way it is.

 

[flying_duck]

I had this exact situation recently headed AKL-LA. Economy. A very large broad shouldered man who spoke little english seated in the middle between me and another young lady.

As it was a large plane there was plenty of time for me to get to the galley to ask the CSM if anything could be done. His elbows were protruding into my ribs and I wasn't going to spend 14 hours like that. (not that it matters, but I also suffer from a bad back and the contortion I had to be in to not have my ribs dug into was painful). She promptly looked around and said "just sit here for take off and we will sort it out after". So I sat down in another seat, and was promptly yelled at by another passenger for taking his "sky bed" thing (Air NZ). So I apologised, and went back to the CSM who basically said it was full and to sit down and they'll sort it out after takeoff.

Turns out, the other girls boyfriend got an upgrade, she didn't. Her boyfriend came back to economy and the large middle seat fellow got a free upgrade. The CSM gave us all champagne before take off for the whole situation. All in all, an OK outcome, they did the best they could and luckily for me this girls boyfriend was slight.

I would hope a similar outcome in the future and I would not hesitate to raise the issue on board with staff. An hours flight? Maybe I wont bother. Anything much more and I will - I need to be fit to travel otherwise what's the point!

 

[Pushka]

We had a similar situation in a Billy Connelly concert. An obese person literally sat in half MrP's seat. We didn't want to embarass the person, but it wasn't right either. Then Billy went into tirades about obese people taking up the seat+1 on planes.

It is a problem that is going to get much much worse.

 

[tomo69]

Sounds like the guy in 9B was able to have a cheek on 9A also. Comfy flight for him ðŸ

 

[Mark3000]

Book 2 seats next time, especially with you back issues, then you won't have this issue at all. Not meaning to be nasty. (That's the only guaranteed way of not having anyone next to you!)

That's an unnecessarily harsh reply. I think he has asked a very fair question. He should not have to buy 2 seats, the onus should be on the airlines and the obese passengers to come up with a solution, either the airline or the obese person (the obese person in my opinion) should pay for the second seat if someone is so fat they cannot fit in one.
He wasn't saying he didn't want someone next to him, he just didn't want someone sharing his seat too.
Everyone is entitled to the seat they paid for without an obese person oozing over the armrest.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi there, just keen to get the thoughts of other FF's out there...

So recently I was booked Syd-Mel on a full flight. I was 9A and at time of check in 9b was empty and 9c occupied.

Seated early, about 5 min later an approx 180kg male came and took seat 9b. Unfortunately this left me literally pressed against the wall.

As I have spine issues I knew this was going to result in my arrival to Mel in extreme pain due to the angle I was now seated in.

Fearing this I got up and requested FA for a potential reseat. I was advised flight was full and there was no way I would be moved. I explained my spine and that staying where I was had a very high chance of me getting off the plane in extreme pain.

I was told that was a shame and advised to either sit or get off the plane but I needed to hurry up as they needed to leave asap. "oh and by the way, if you choose not to fly you are going to forfeit your fare and have to buy another ticket".

I explained this was not really good either way and requested further assistence... FA sighed and went back to top of gate.

Brought another person down who FA introduced me by "this is 9a and he doesn't like his seat".

Again expalined my spine issue and again was told that the next 2 flights were also full and that I would have to buy another ticket.

Again explained that I felt my physical health was being put at risk and asked what they could do to help avoid this...

Again told to either sit or get off but to hurry up and make up my mind. I asked to be reseated on another flight but that I would prefer not to have to buy another ticket...

Again sighs and "i'll get the airport manager" but you have to let me know now if you're not flying as we have to pull your bags. I said I'd prefer to not be in pain so I guess I'm not flying.

Thankfully this man arrived he was very nice and he was more than happy to reseat me on next available at no fee.

I have to say I was very grateful to the manager, however the other staff members I dealt with were somewhat passive aggressive and I found it very annoying that I didn't even have a name, well other than 9a...

So just wondering, how would you react if a full plane left you with the option of being pressed against a wall for a flight?

You did the right thing!

I completely understand this is not an issue about a blocked seat beside you, but rather your entitlement to the seat, comfort, and amenity that comes with your ticket.

While I have no doubt the cabin crew are trained for our safety, I'd be surprised if their training extended to being qualified to provide advice on your legal rights. As such, they really should stay out of making legal statements. If the product you purchased is not fit for purpose, you are entitled to a refund (or to have it fixed). Not having a seat is a product that is not fit for purpose.

 

[blackcat20]

I had this exact situation recently headed AKL-LA. Economy. A very large broad shouldered man who spoke little english seated in the middle between me and another young lady.

As it was a large plane there was plenty of time for me to get to the galley to ask the CSM if anything could be done. His elbows were protruding into my ribs and I wasn't going to spend 14 hours like that. (not that it matters, but I also suffer from a bad back and the contortion I had to be in to not have my ribs dug into was painful). She promptly looked around and said "just sit here for take off and we will sort it out after". So I sat down in another seat, and was promptly yelled at by another passenger for taking his "sky bed" thing (Air NZ). So I apologised, and went back to the CSM who basically said it was full and to sit down and they'll sort it out after takeoff.

Turns out, the other girls boyfriend got an upgrade, she didn't. Her boyfriend came back to economy and the large middle seat fellow got a free upgrade. The CSM gave us all champagne before take off for the whole situation. All in all, an OK outcome, they did the best they could and luckily for me this girls boyfriend was slight.

I would hope a similar outcome in the future and I would not hesitate to raise the issue on board with staff. An hours flight? Maybe I wont bother. Anything much more and I will - I need to be fit to travel otherwise what's the point!

Not so lucky for the boyfriend who lost his upgrade?

The problem with upgrading the larger pax into J is they then come to expect it. How do we reinforce that larger people should be buying a comfort seat if they hope/know they will get bumped to J??

 

[eastwest101]

The problem with upgrading the larger pax into J is they then come to expect it. How do we reinforce that larger people should be buying a comfort seat if they hope/know they will get bumped to J??

Very good point.

Possibly the question is "How do airlines reinforce or drive the behaviour that larger people should be buying a comfort seat/be given a shadow or given business seats without breaching anti-discrimination laws and without resorting to prescriptive legistation if possible and without destroying/distorting the economics of air travel."

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Very good point.

Possibly the question is "How do airlines reinforce or drive the behaviour that larger people should be buying a comfort seat/be given a shadow or given business seats without breaching anti-discrimination laws and without resorting to prescriptive legistation if possible and without destroying/distorting the economics of air travel."

I like the Southwest system in the USA (not sure if it's been widely copied by other US carriers?): POS buys comfort seat which is refunded in full if the flight has spare seats.

 

[Pushka]

Not so lucky for the boyfriend who lost his upgrade?

The problem with upgrading the larger pax into J is they then come to expect it. How do we reinforce that larger people should be buying a comfort seat if they hope/know they will get bumped to J??

Had a friend who was obese and she was usually upgraded. She never connected the dots.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

I'd have litigated if I suffered an injury.

You've got to be joking. I fail to see how this is Qantas' fault. They have no idea that someone who buys a seat is too big for it and they are quite entitled to sell every seat on a plane. So if boarding time comes and this problem presents itself its not really the airlines fault.

They should be be noting the details of 9b and some poor sod in the Call centre should ring afterwards and inform them politely that they'll need to purchase a comfort seat in future. The trouble there though is unless they have a FF account linked to the booking there's is no way to trace the next time they book.

if anything they should have unloaded 9b and made him fly later with a purchased comfort seat.

 

[TomVexille]

I like the Southwest system in the USA (not sure if it's been widely copied by other US carriers?): POS buys comfort seat which is refunded in full if the flight has spare seats.

Not aware if it has been copied by others, but it's a fair system IMO. And they enforce it either at check-in or at the gate.

 

[flying_duck]

Not so lucky for the boyfriend who lost his upgrade?

The problem with upgrading the larger pax into J is they then come to expect it. How do we reinforce that larger people should be buying a comfort seat if they hope/know they will get bumped to J??

The boyfriend chose to move, he wanted to sit next to his girlfriend. He wasn't aware of the situation with the larger pax.

 

[24601]

Not so lucky for the boyfriend who lost his upgrade?

it probably was just as well for him.

A very fat friend of mine made a huge (in all senses) scene on TG LHR-BKK once arguing aggressively that he couldn't fit safely into the Y seat they gave him. He got an upgrade. I wasn't impressed.

 

[blackcat20]

Had a friend who was obese and she was usually upgraded. She never connected the dots.

Maybe I need to get fat so I dont have to travel in Y

You've got to be joking. I fail to see how this is Qantas' fault. They have no idea that someone who buys a seat is too big for it and they are quite entitled to sell every seat on a plane. So if boarding time comes and this problem presents itself its not really the airlines fault.

They should be be noting the details of 9b and some poor sod in the Call centre should ring afterwards and inform them politely that they'll need to purchase a comfort seat in future. The trouble there though is unless they have a FF account linked to the booking there's is no way to trace the next time they book.

if anything they should have unloaded 9b and made him fly later with a purchased comfort seat.

They do when they see the pax at check in or at boarding. That's the time to be proactive about it, rather than let the neighbouring passengers suffer for 1, 2, 14+ hours.

A very fat friend of mine made a huge (in all senses) scene on TG LHR-BKK once arguing aggressively that he couldn't fit safely into the Y seat they gave him. He got an upgrade. I wasn't impressed.

If he knew he didnt fit in a Y seat he should have stumped up for a PE or J seat to start with. The airlines really need to make people accountable for their own choice of seat and stop rewarding this behaviour.

 

[mannej]

You've got to be joking. I fail to see how this is Qantas' fault. They have no idea that someone who buys a seat is too big for it and they are quite entitled to sell every seat on a plane. So if boarding time comes and this problem presents itself its not really the airlines fault.

Considering that QF were litigated against by a lady who suffered an injury on board due to the shrieks of a crying baby, anything is possible.

 

[BAM1748]

Considering that QF were litigated against by a lady who suffered an injury on board due to the shrieks of a crying baby, anything is possible.

Geez, I must have missed that one.

What about my trauma from Y and drinking wine from plastic. That must be worth something.

Matt

 

[gefsmith]

What about my trauma from Y and drinking wine from plastic. That must be worth something.

Matt

Pretty sure The Geneva Convention covers that.

 

[get me outta here]

Whilst not wishing to attribute blame for size, I do not think it should be rewarded by upgrades. Obviously, they can't reverse that option and upgrade all the slim people and leave the large people in Y, but there needs to be a better way to deal with this.

Do not upgrade for size, what do we want .... do not upgrade for size, when do we want it...

 

[BAM1748]

Whilst not wishing to attribute blame for size, I do not think it should be rewarded by upgrades. Obviously, they can't reverse that option and upgrade all the slim people and leave the large people in Y, but there needs to be a better way to deal with this.

Do not upgrade for size, what do we want .... do not upgrade for size, when do we want it...

Upgrade the inconvenienced party, but I say that with caution.