Three-quarters of people support tax on large passengers

31/01/2010

By Nick Jones.

Over three-quarters of people believe airlines should charge people who cannot comfortably fit into a single airline seat for an additional seat.

According to a survey carried out by Skyscanner, 76 per cent of respondents approve of the policy, while 22 per cent said they disagree with it.

Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith commented that airlines will have to be careful not to alienate larger passengers with their policies in the future.

"Many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers," Mr Smith said.

"Seats should be suitable for all: tall, short, fat or thin," he added.

Budget airline Ryanair considered introducing a tax on larger passengers last year after some 30,000 passengers out of a total of 100,000 voted in favour of the move.

The carrier, which operates from a number of UK airports such as Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh, was considering an upper weight limit of 20 stone for men and 15 stone for women, after which travellers would be obliged to buy a second seat.

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