Airline policies regarding overweight passengers vary from company to company, but they generally focus on comfort and safety of all passengers on board. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect:
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Seating Policies: Many airlines require overweight passengers to book and pay for an extra seat if they cannot sit comfortably in a standard seat. This ensures the space necessary for their comfort and the safety of everyone on board.
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Discreet assessment: When a passenger appears to have special needs due to their weight, most airlines seek to handle the issue in a discreet and respectful manner, avoiding any stigmatization or humiliation.
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Boarding assistance: Airlines usually offer assistance for overweight passengers during boarding, including providing them with early boarding to avoid delays and discomfort for other passengers.
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Safety belts: Overweight passengers must be able to wear their seat belts properly. If this is a problem, the company can provide belt extenders to ensure safety in flight.
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Privacy Policies: Specific policy details vary from airline to airline, so it is essential to review the airline’s information before traveling to understand their requirements and available services.
Affected passengers are recommended to contact the airline directly before their trip to discuss their specific needs and available solutions. While recalling the dimensions of its seats, Air France offers its service called Saphir, dedicated to passengers requiring specific assistance. For overweight passengers, it is possible to reserve a second seat with a 25% discount. Be careful, if “ your build does not allow you to sit in a single seat, you may be refused transport for safety reasons », Warns the French company.
In 2016, Airbus filed a patent application for airplane seats that can be adjusted according to the size of the passengers, capable of accommodating, for example, two obese travelers or two parents and their two young children in the same space. For the moment, the project is apparently still at the study stage.
