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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

Larger-bodied airline passengers forced to pay for two seats prompts call for clearer anti-discrimination laws

Empty airplane cabin interior
The practice of charging ‘passengers of size’ the price of two airline seats is common across the aviation industry, but laws are unclear as to whether it is unlawful. Photograph: EllenMoran/Getty Images

Larger-bodied passengers are being forced to buy two seats to fly on some airlines, raising discrimination concerns from advocacy groups who argue scientific understanding of obesity has evolved beyond viewing the condition as a lifestyle choice.

Budget international carrier Scoot has added a note about its policy to its website’s booking page, warning that “if you are a guest of size who requires 2 seats … fares and fees for 2 guests apply”. The note says: “Failure to do so may result in you being denied transportation.” But the airline does not state who would be considered a “guest of size”.

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