Joins Other Airlines In 'Pay For Two Seats'
Policy
If you're among the heavier-set members of the world
population, you may soon have to shell out additional cabbage to
fly onboard a United Airlines plane.
WBBM-2 in Chicago reports United plans to implement an
aggressive program, targeting passengers who "are unable to fit
into a single seat in the ticketed cabin; are unable to properly
buckle the seatbelt using a single seatbelt extender; and/or are
unable to put the seat's armrests down when seated."
Under the policy, fliers who fit that description will be forced
to purchase an extra seat... and if no empty seat is available,
they'll be bumped onto a later flight.
"The seat purchase or upgrade must be completed for each leg of
the itinerary," the United policy states. "If a customer meeting
any of the above-listed criteria decides not to upgrade or purchase
a ticket for an additional seat, he or she will not be permitted to
board the flight."
United enacted the policy this week, retroactive to tickets
bought on or after March 4. Wednesday was the first day the new
policy was in effect.
The Chicago-based carrier -- already a perennial bottom-dweller
on customer satisfaction lists -- defended the practice, even as
WBBM reports some of United's own customer service agents
questioned the legality of the decision.
"Please understand that we care a great deal about all of our
customers' well-being, and we have implemented this policy to help
ensure that everyone's travel experiences with United are
comfortable and pleasant," United said on its Web site.
There seems to be conflicting precedents at work. Low-cost
carrier Southwest Airlines has had a similar policy in place since
2000... and while
it has been contested at times, Southwest
still reserves the right to charge for two seats if a single
passenger occupies both. Most other US carriers have adopted
similar policies.
Conversely, a Canadian court ruled in November 2008 airlines
could not discriminate against those "functionally disabled by
obesity" by charging them for two seats... a ruling that could
impact US policies down the line.
In any case, United's policy has given its rival American
Airlines some free, positive publicity. Airline spokesman Tim Smith
told WBBM that, while American technically has a right to charge
for a second ticket... it will only do so when all other options
have been exhausted.
Further, "I don't remember us ever having to impose such a
charge," added spokesperson Mary Frances Fagan.