Originally Posted by
nk15
It doesn't matter, body shape and size is to a significant extend out of people's control and likely complex and multifactorial (genetics, medical, access to right food, SES, rearing, etc.). This is access to basic transportation and should not be conditional and discriminatory. At the same time there has to be better policy to prevent and address the obesity issue more systemically.
If the airline decides to offer oversized seats at a price, you can buy them. If not, and you need the space afforded by two standardly narrow seats, you should buy them. Nothing in American law says airline passengers fatter, or taller, than the cabin's equipment can standardly accommodate, should be given extra space at no charge.
In fact, airline business practice being as it is, seeing the size of the American population in general, it shouldn't surprise anyone if they made the seats yet narrower (16") and demand that two seats be purchased if required. Just another ancillary profit point. AA's stated rule seems like a first move in this direction.