Did you see the program on Channel 5 last night?
Weighing passengers isn't an option.
Surely the best way to solve this, apart from a crash diet, is for airlines to include on the booking form, the dimensions of the seat, and the maximum size of the seat belt;if unable to fit within these comfortably, another seat plus belt extender can be booked.It must be better than asking a passenger to leave the plane, the embarrassment of the walk of shame.
If the passenger does not comply, turns up anyway, then can't fit in the seat, then they will not be able to fly.
The people in the documentary, it was a wake-up call which spurred them on to losing vast amounts of weight, so it was worth doing!

I didn't see the program - why isn't weighing everyone an option?

Seems extremely fair to me.

What would happen if all the "bigger" folk wanted to sit on the same side of the plane?

Passengers do not need to be weighed.

All that needs to be done is to have one of those measuring racks like they do for cabin baggage.

Anyone who does not fit in, must go in the hold.

Cannot remember where I read this story but a man, who was overweight, had to book two seats but on arrival at check-in he found out that one seat was at the rear of the plane and the other at the front. His return flight was better - his seats were separated by the aisle.

To refuse carriage because of one's weight (or indeed insisting on weighing them) is an infringement of human rights.

I can see the queues now, loads of people wanting compensation from the low cost airlines!!!!

Yes but what about my rights that I've paid for my full seat and seat area and get sat next to one of those who thinks they 'are OK' but are overflowing into my space?

Since when ?

First time I flew on a package holiday it was Compulsory !

Myself plus baggage on a set of old Woolworth type scales and a guy standing by with a pen and paper totting up the figures.

Anyway I thought at least one airline in the States was operating that way, but there again they aren't hogtied with nonsensical Eu regulations.

regarding weight-you could have a 18 stone man of 6ft 5", and a woman weighing the same, but 5ft 3". The man would have fitted comfortably in the seat, but the woman would be spilling over into the next seat.
That's why you can't just use weight as the guide.
That's why I suggested every airline displaying the dimensions of the seat on booking, in order to avoid humiliation.
DD-must be along time since you flew on a budget airline?

No No No! I understand what you´re saying but come on, a 6ft 5 person does not sit comfortably in an plane seat!

I agree he would have to get extra legroom, but he would be able to do the seat belt up, whereas the woman would not fit in the seat or do the belt up.

At 6ft 2 I recently flew business class Gib to LHR with BA and my knees didn't fit the seat spacing

We pray the snacks trolley serves the other side first

This is a good example of victim blaming

The fault of having no room on airline seats is that of the airline for providing seats that are too small, not that of people who are bigger than average

They shouldn't have to make them bigger to cope with the obesity crisis!
Have you never had a massive person spilling over into your space on a flight?If so, you would agree that the onus is on with the individual to be a reasonable size!