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Dallas -
Are you too big to fly? An Illinois man says Southwest Airlines left him and his wife stranded in Las Vegas because of his size. It's just the latest in a debate that has airline travelers divided.
"I think they should only have to pay for one seat because it's one person" said passenger Jennifer Mix. But passenger Patrick Mattson said "I would agree an extra seat is needed for bigger people."
Last weekend, Emery and Clara Orto were about to board a flight back home to Chicago when a Southwest employee stopped them at the gate.
"What were we going to do," said Mr. Orto. When he was questioned about his size and the possibility he would need to buy an additional seat, Orto got so mad that the airline told the couple to find their own way home.
Clara Orto said, "it was pretty heartless, the way we were treated."
A Southwest spokesman says if passengers sit in the 17-inch seat and are unable to put both armrests down comfortably, they will be asked to buy an additional seat.
Southwest said 90% of those passengers are refunded for the ticket if the plane is not full.
Most airlines have similar policies, and bigger passengers can buy first-class or business-class seats which are wider but cost more.
"I don't believe the airlines are discriminating against any portion of society," said Dallas aviation attorney Greg Carboy.
He said it can be a safety issue since bigger passengers may have trouble getting out of their seat in the event of an emergency.
In 1999, Southwest was sued over its policy and the courts ruled in the airlines favor.
"I think they should only have to pay for one seat because it's one person" said passenger Jennifer Mix. But passenger Patrick Mattson said "I would agree an extra seat is needed for bigger people."
Last weekend, Emery and Clara Orto were about to board a flight back home to Chicago when a Southwest employee stopped them at the gate.
"What were we going to do," said Mr. Orto. When he was questioned about his size and the possibility he would need to buy an additional seat, Orto got so mad that the airline told the couple to find their own way home.
Clara Orto said, "it was pretty heartless, the way we were treated."
A Southwest spokesman says if passengers sit in the 17-inch seat and are unable to put both armrests down comfortably, they will be asked to buy an additional seat.
Southwest said 90% of those passengers are refunded for the ticket if the plane is not full.
Most airlines have similar policies, and bigger passengers can buy first-class or business-class seats which are wider but cost more.
"I don't believe the airlines are discriminating against any portion of society," said Dallas aviation attorney Greg Carboy.
He said it can be a safety issue since bigger passengers may have trouble getting out of their seat in the event of an emergency.
In 1999, Southwest was sued over its policy and the courts ruled in the airlines favor.
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