[TheBeardKing]

I fly in plenty of middle seats being a government employee. Nearly all of the window and aisle seats are booked by the time we schedule the trip, and we can't pay extra for premium economy. I'm an average size guy, 5'10, 170 lbs, and never have an issue sitting middle next to average weight people. On Southwest, I actually go for them first to get within the first couple rows and get off the plane quicker. I've never had someone fall asleep and rest their head on my shoulder as I've seen on TV. But I do have a small bout of anxiety as I'm walking down the aisle for the chance I have to sit next to an overweight person. You can't help but be touching hips the entire trip, and arm nudges quite often.

This solution poses a whole new set of issues already mentioned, but the real solution in my opinion is to relegate a few rows with only 2 seats for overweight people, priced accordingly. Public perception wouldn't allow requiring overweight people to book those seats, but I think a lot of overweight people would out of courtesy and their own comfort. They would be available to anyone who wanted the extra width as well, but you'd be less motivated to pay extra for it if you didn't need it.

[xur17]

> On Southwest, I actually go for them first to get within the first couple rows and get off the plane quicker. I've never had someone fall asleep and rest their head on my shoulder as I've seen on TV. But I do have a small bout of anxiety as I'm walking down the aisle for the chance I have to sit next to an overweight person.

I tend to do this for Southwest as well - If the plane is already fairly full, I'd prefer to pick my neighbors and take a middle seat rather than risking it further back in the plane.

[GhostVII]

> but the real solution in my opinion is to relegate a few rows with only 2 seats for overweight people, priced accordingly

Don't planes generally already have this? Most planes I have been on have the business class (or whatever it is called) seats at the front, with just two seats beside eachother, and then the rest of the plane being three seats. I guess it is not targeted at people who are overweight, but it is available.

[magduf]

The fat people say it's discrimination that they're expected to pay more for a seat (such as in business class as you suggest) than thinner people.

Also, it doesn't help that in America, fatter people tend to be poorer.

[Loughla]

>This solution poses a whole new set of issues already mentioned, but the real solution in my opinion is to relegate a few rows with only 2 seats for overweight people, priced accordingly.

That would be a barrier to access based on disability, and would open up an entire host of legal liabilities for the airlines. I have to assume that's why they haven't done it yet.

[TheBeardKing]

That's why I said not required; it'd be an optional upgrade. And another comment mentioned it's already implemented on Spirit.

[Bluecobra]

They already have something like this on Spirit called "the big seat". It's basically a domestic/no-frills first class seat in the front of the plane but you still need to pay your peanuts. I think it's a great idea and it makes flying Spirit more bearable.