United Airlines to charge fat people double

No, this isn't the Onion; rather, it's the gist of Susan Carey's April 15, 2009 Wall Street Journal story, which appears below.

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Bulging Fliers May Pay Double

UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, matching the policies of many rival U.S. carriers, said obese fliers who can't fit into airplane seats without infringing on their neighbors may have to buy a second seat.

And if the flight is absolutely packed, the large traveler may have to disembark and wait for another plane that isn't as crowded, United said. The No. 3 U.S. airline by traffic said it was receiving "hundreds" of complaints a year from customers whose personal space was invaded by bulging seatmates. The new policy, effective Wednesday, applies only if the large passenger can't be moved next to an empty seat at no charge.

If the flight is full, United said it will try to find a later flight with open seats or sell the customer a second seat on a later flight at the same fare the traveler originally paid for the first seat.

Southwest Airlines Co. has had a similar policy for 28 years. It requires customers of size to purchase additional seating in advance, but will refund the second seat fee after the trip if the plane had empty seats. Like United, Southwest says if the large passenger can't lower the armrests at his or her seat, that is a sign that additional space must be arranged.

Alaska Air Group Inc.'s Alaska Airlines also requires the second seat to be bought in advance, and will refund the cost of it if the flight had empty seats. Alaska said the second seat earns as many frequent-flier miles as the first, but the extra miles don't count toward elite status in its program.

Continental Airlines Inc. requires that all large fliers buy second seats, and charges high day-of-departure fares if the passenger waits until the last minute to purchase it rather than booking in advance at the lower rates. If the flight is full, Continental will let the passenger rebook without penalty.

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Cartoon up top by John O'Brien.