Should Fat Flyers Pay More Than Skinny Flyers?
Jackie Reddy August 12, 2015
Whether airlines should charge obese flyers more than everybody else is contentious topic, one a British celebrity is speaking out about.
The implementation of a special tax for obese flyers has been debated for years, but according to the British TV personality Katie Hopkins, overweight flyers should absolutely be subject to hefty fines. Hopkins expressed her opinion on larger passengers last week during a preview of her upcoming show, If Katie Hopkins Ruled the World.
“One of the things that is closest to my heart is a fat tax for fat flyers,” Hopkins stated in the opening segment.
“I have to pay for my 20 kilograms of luggage on cheap crappy airlines while some fat chubster just up the aisle from me … doesn’t have to pay anything to get onboard that plane when quite clearly they are carrying more cumulative luggage,” she told the live audience. “I think when you check in, you should weigh in.”
Hopkins joined on the segment by fellow British TV personality Gemma Collins, star of The Only Way Is Essex. Collins admitted that while she herself is “not the skinniest” person, she can comfortably fit into a normal plane seat. She then advised Hopkins to remember that not all weight issues are the result of poor dietary choices, as some people gain weight due to health conditions out of their control.
Unimpressed by Collins’ reasoning, Hopkins reiterated her views, saying: “It seems crazy that I’m charged to check in a bag whereas some [280-pound] idiot next to me with hand luggage isn’t charged anything, even though they’re carrying as much extra weight.”
Hopkins’ remarks sparked controversy on Twitter. While some were supportive of her “fat tax” proposal, others quickly pointed out potential pitfalls.
@KTHopkins love the fat tax idea hopkins! very funny yet fair too! would cost me £900 though so please increase the male allowance!
— thomas reynolds (@tomberg13) August 7, 2015
Worrying that one of the major parties is basing policy on the self-serving anti fat “crusade” of Katie Hopkins. What next? Tax the gingers?
— #BBUKFAN (@BBBother) February 14, 2015
#KatieRules let’s throw this into the mix,most people that weight train have a BMI that is obese! Are we going to charge them fat tax too?
— Linda Hayward (@lindashayward) August 6, 2015
They may be contentious, but Hopkins’ opinions are timely. Just last month, a man sued Etihad over “injuries” he sustained from sitting next to a “grossly obese” flyer.
[Photo: iStock]
If you invade my seat space with your girth, yes a seat tax should be paid to me based on the amount of my seat that I cannot use.I have had too many last minute flights to Europe and the Middle East and had to deal with a fatty.
Why, we have "carry on baggage sizers" sitting around many airport gates, mostly unusued. Rather than all the folderol of weighing pax and bags, why not have a "pax sizer", simply a seat matching those aboard the a/c? If you "lap over" (overlap in a BIG way), you're left behind, or pay more for the discomfort caused those wee puir pax seated beside you. ....and I'm right at 200K, but tall, and don't lap over
As a larger person I fit within a seat, but barely. I always bring my own extender and try to upgrade if possible (often spending upwards of $3000 on international trips). I try not to impose my fat on other people, but it is becoming more difficult to do so because of airlines' greed. I have an uncorrectable hormone issue that will result in me being overweight for the rest of my life (I even had a gastric bypass and it did not help). The military considers my condition to be a disability for enlistment. But Airlines are not subject to the Americans Disability Act. So if this passed I would be discriminated against. My company would likely give me less important assignments or fire me. I feel bad every time I fly. I don't want to impose myself on other people but the airlines keep making seats smaller. It's not fair :(
I do not agree with the Safety argument. Other types of passengers pose just as much safety risk; Old people with walkers, families with babies, people grabbing their overhead items during emergency evacuation (see IB Quito), people with their headphones on, people not wearing shoes. Simply put, it is sanctioned discrimination.
As a tall flyer I already pay extra when I can for a bulkhead or exit row (or Biz/First seat when I can afford it). Why not have wide people pay for two seats? I don't think weight is a completely fair metric however as given my height (6'5") and athletic build, I naturally weigh about 210 lbs with only 14% body fat. Maybe a BMI calculator would be more fair... short, obese people pay for two seats while tall athletic people get first class upgrades for free. I'd vote for that.