Originally Posted by
Calliopeflyer
As much right as you to to complain about it.
It's like being on a crowded bus or subway car -- do you think those people squeezed in a standing position paid less than someone who is sitting down? Or have less rights to space or seating? How much right do they have to "encroach" on your space sitting on a bus while they're standing in the aisle or sitting in the seat next to you, being encroached on by someone else standing in the aisle?
Economy sections of airplanes are now like riding a bus, and in rush hour they are overcrowded. Deal with it - either accept it, or pay more to travel with more space.
Many are not even "big bodied" people - even many average (and healthy-sized) people don't fit in economy sized seats on most airlines today. Airlines have decided to fly cattle cars, and you can either accept it for what it is, or pay more to have a different experience.
I don't think this analogy works very well. Standing up is a valid option on a subway (it isn't on an airplane for large portions of the flight) and unless the subway or bus is totally packed you are unlikely to not have any other options for seating/standing. Plus a subway or bus ride lasts a few minutes (or at least a few minutes until there is a shift in who is on the train/bus and you can move). And apart from all that somebody who doesn't fit into their seat can easily chose an aisle seat and spill out into the aisle or stand. With an airplane it doesn't matter how self aware or apologetic anybody is. If they don't fit they don't fit.
Also, "healthy sized' people can have trouble with their shoulders not fitting in the seat, or can not be totally comfortable in a middle seat. That is very true and airlines are squeezing people in like sardines. But at my biggest I wore size 42 pants and still fit into a seat with the arm rest able to go down just fine, no spilling over. And I was well past "healthy size". If you are spilling over into adjoining seats to the extent that the arm rest won't go down, or you need a seatbelt extender, you are past any definition of being healthy sized.