This Famous Airline Is Putting a Waist-Size Restriction on Passengers

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This Famous Airline Is Putting a Waist-Size Restriction on Passengers ( Business Class Passengers, That Is)
By Chris Matyszczyk, owner, Howard Raucous LLC/ Best-Kept Travel Secrets/ Inc./ inc.com

"Will high-paying passengers be able to stomach this?

Absurdly Driven looks at the world of business with a skeptical eye and a firmly rooted tongue in cheek.

Broadly speaking, airlines are happy to annoy customers if they feel they can make money out of it.

What, though, should one make of a curious decision taken by an airline with a reputation for gentle hospitality?

You see, Thai Airways just announced that it's going to be putting certain restrictions on passengers who travel on its Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 planes.

No, it's not going to make the seats smaller than any in aviation history.

Instead, it's going to measure passengers' waists and, if the resulting number is over a certain limit, it's going to not allow the passenger to fly.

Here's the twist.

We're talking about Business Class passengers.

Is it because some Business Class passengers have complained about the size of their fellow humans?

Thai says it's not. It claims that the seats on these planes enjoy new seatbelt airbags that can only encompass a certain girth.

So if you're over 56 inches around the waist, you'll be declined, as the seatbelt won't fasten, says the Bangkok Post...."

Will you have to be measured before you can sit down?
CREDIT: Getty Images


Richard

 

[DaveNV]

Wasn't it Southwest that decided if a passenger was of a certain size, they had to buy a second seat? Whatever came of that?

Dave

 

[Blues]

Wasn't it Southwest that decided if a passenger was of a certain size, they had to buy a second seat? Whatever came of that?

Dave

From their FAQ on "Customers of Size"
Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel in order to ensure the additional seat(s) is available. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; width between the armrests measures 17 inches. The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification to Southwest of a special seating need, and allows us to adequately plan for the number of seats that will be occupied on the aircraft. In turn, this helps to ensure we can accommodate all Customers on the flight/aircraft for which they purchased a ticket and avoid asking Customers to relinquish their seats for an unplanned accommodation. Most importantly, it ensures that all Customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating. You may contact us for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel. Customers of size who prefer not to purchase an additional seat in advance have the option of purchasing just one seat and then discussing their seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at their departure gate. If it is determined that a second (or third) seat is needed, they will be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat(s).

 

[Blues]

BTW, this is different from what I remember when they first instituted the rule. Back then, IIRC, the "customer of size" was required to buy 2 tickets. If the flight was full, that was that. If the flight wasn't full, they could request a refund.

It sounds like now, they can always get the 2nd fare refunded.

 

[am1]

BTW, this is different from what I remember when they first instituted the rule. Back then, IIRC, the "customer of size" was required to buy 2 tickets. If the flight was full, that was that. If the flight wasn't full, they could request a refund.

It sounds like now, they can always get the 2nd fare refunded.

I am always happy when the seat next to mine is empty. Seems giving a second eat away for free costs us all. What if the flight is oversold, who gets bumped the person of size or two people?

 

[VacationForever]

I am always happy when the seat next to mine is empty. Seems giving a second eat away for free costs us all. What if the flight is oversold, who gets bumped the person of size or two people?

I do not believe airlines dare to involuntarily bump passengers off anymore. It is now about raising the compensation to a level that someone will voluntarily take the offer.

 

[DaveNV]

I do not believe airlines dare to involuntarily bump passengers off anymore. It is now about raising the compensation to a level that someone will voluntarily take the offer.

Did you see this thread I started awhile ago? Your wish is their command.

https://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index...assenger-gets-10-000-for-being-bumped.271667/

Dave

 

[VacationForever]

Did you see this thread I started awhile ago? Your wish is their command.

https://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index...assenger-gets-10-000-for-being-bumped.271667/

Dave

Yes I did.

 

[x3 skier]

“Person of size”??????

Geeze, what is world does that mean?

Sort of like “Person of odor”? “Person of dirt”? “Person of halitosis?” “Person of Flakes on the Shoulder?”

Sorry but this is just stupid terminology to me.

Cheers

 

[artringwald]

I pity the security officers that have to drag the +56" waist person off the plane when they refuse to leave.

 

[Eric B]

I am always happy when the seat next to mine is empty. Seems giving a second eat away for free costs us all. What if the flight is oversold, who gets bumped the person of size or two people?

Maybe the "second eat” is the root cause of the problem over the years....

 

[vacationhopeful]

Southwest does NOT drag .. they BRIBE by "public bidding" upwards 'til they get the number of flyers to volunteers needed. Top dollar is paid to all NEEDED seatholders who agree to leave. (Basicly, your ticket price is refunded PLUS the future flight credit offered Plus you fly on the NEXT AVAILABLE flight PLUS hotel accomodation if the next flight is the next day.)

I used to fly more then than now .. SWA 'est-a-mating' has gotten WAY BETTER .. less bumping ... IMHO.

 

[iwanttoflyaway]

Southwest claims they don't overbooked anymore, and folks on FT back this up - there are very, very few requests for volunteers anymore. It still happens from time to time, usually due to IRROPS (cancelations and such) or crew transport issues.

A COS (as WN terms them) is supposed to buy the extra seat in advance. I would hope that a COS who fails to buy it in advance would be first on the list for a bump if the flight is sold out and somehow has every other passenger show up. In reality, without a company policy of overbooking, it is really rare to have 100% of the passengers show up for any given flight. At least a few standbys are usually able to be accommodated, and the COS would be given their extra seat before the standby folks.

 

[VacationForever]

Does anyone know whether can anyone simply pay for 2 seats so that there is no one next to the passenger? Do they only allow a large person to do so?

 

[am1]

Does anyone know whether can anyone simply pay for 2 seats so that there is no one next to the passenger? Do they only allow a large person to do so?

Seems one should be able to do that. Who is to say where the line is on being a large person. The second seat should costs less.

 

[iwanttoflyaway]

To my knowledge, you can't just buy an extra seat if you aren't a COS. The workaround I've heard is to bring an instrument and buy it it's own seat. We joke that we should bring a harmonica =p