While this is not relevant if the airlines are exempt from ADA standards, here is an exerpt that is interesting:

Obesity Is Generally Not a Disability Covered by the ADA, but Morbid Obesity Is

"The ADA defines “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Even if an obese person has difficulty performing the normal daily functions of living and working, he or she will not be considered disabled under the ADA unless the obesity “substantially limits” a major life activity.12 “Major life activities” can include everything from “caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and [even] working.”13

The allegedly disabling condition must usually be a bona fide medical or psychological condition. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s ADA regulations clearly state that, absent “exceptional” circumstances, obesity does not meet the definition of a disability under the ADA.14 Thus, unless an individual who is just obese can show that his or her obesity is the result of a physiological impairment, being obese will probably not result in ADA protection. This means that obese people who are treated differently based upon their appearance alone will not enjoy the protections of the ADA.

However, the EEOC and courts have consistently included the more serious condition of “morbid obesity” within the definition of “disability” under the ADA. EEOC guidance documents clearly state that “morbid obesity” could be a protected disability as defined by the ADA, and federal courts have included “morbid obesity” within the category of medical conditions that impair major life activities. "

http://www.epexperts.com/modules.php...ticle&sid=1462

Things in perspective.
 

Interesting article I read today. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers for you non-Football fans - American Football, not what we call soccer) is obese. 5'10" 221lbs -- 32 BMI.

I don't think anyone would say he had any form of disability.

Um, yeah, some of us *do* dislike pregnant women. What of it?

-------------
What's his body fat %? 5? I daresay he's a pretty compact 221# and a lot of it is in his legs. Maybe if some of the heavy-set crowd exercised once in awhile and laid off nailing Sara Lee and Betty Crocker....

Javan - a lot of it is probably in his shoulders, and upper arms, thus infringing upon his neighbor :)

honeytoes - well be that way! :)

i'm that size and i've been just about shaking that i won't fit in the seat when i fly to england on continental in a couple of weeks. the plane is a 757 and i'm traveling with my 4yr old in the middle and my husband.

i was on the phone for nearly 30min with the csr at continental who absolutely ASSURED me that it didn't matter i was sitting next to a toddler; that if i wasn't able to put the armrest down i had to purchase an additional seat. at this point i'm about crazy that they would separate me from my child?!! and the website says if there aren't empty seats (there aren't) they can make you get off the flight. i can understand that continental says these are rules to protect passengers next to me. i would never want to infringe on a stranger. but who are they to protect my baby from me? i'll want to put my arm around him anyway.

i was going to order a seatbelt extension although i don't know if i'll need it but i'm so stressed that i can't even enjoy the anticipation of the trip. and we're travelling on memorial day so i think it will come down to the mood of whomever is stuck working that day?

One thing that occurs to me is that you are not guaranteed the seats that you've booked. If there's a cancellation or an equipment change, you very well may not wind up sitting next to each other. The concern may be if that happens.