Viator

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Air France tells obese fliers to buy second seat, will refund if flight isn't full

Air France promises to reimburse obese fliers it asks to buy doublewide seating if the plane isn't full, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

The company, which has long offered obese passengers the option of buying an adjoining seat at a discount, said that passengers would be fully reimbursed for the second fare in 90% of cases.

A company spokesman couldn't provide figures on the number of passengers concerned by the measure, but said "It's a problem that the company faces."

Obese passengers who don't reserve a second seat may not be allowed to board, at the captain's discretion and if there is not an unoccupied adjoining seat.

"It's a question of security," spokesman Nicolas Petteau said.

The airline denied reports in the French press that it would oblige obese passengers to buy a second seat.

The policy will come into force starting in April.

Three years ago Air France was sued by a 353-pound passenger who the airline obliged to buy a second seat for a full New Delhi-Paris flight. Air France was ordered to pay $11,423 in damages and to reimburse the cost of the second seat.

Other airlines with similar policies on obese passengers include Southwest, JetBlue and American Airlines.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

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