From AP via Yahoo! News:
ATLANTA – Heavy suitcases aren’t the only things weighing down airplanes and requiring them to burn more fuel, pushing up the cost of flights. A new government study reveals that airlines increasingly have to worry more about the weight of their passengers.
America’s growing waistlines are hurting the bottom lines of airline companies as the extra pounds on passengers are causing a drag on planes. Heavier fliers have created heftier fuel costs, according to the government study. …
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines requires large people to buy a second seat for passenger safety and comfort.
The SW Airline policy is blatant discrimination. Although it is true that many Americans are overweight, the airline seats are too small, however, for any normal full-grown man. At six foot three, I do not fit in the damn coach seats even when I was 8% body fat. The lack of hip and shoulder room as well as the low headrest height, is ridiculous. And legroom ?that is an oxymoron. Should I be made to pay more because my shoulders are several inches wider than the munchkin sized space allotted?
Perhaps, the airlines could cut costs by getting rid of ludicrously paid CEOs.
I think these aircraft designers have the ?Little People? from Flores in mind.