having to pay for extra leg room

[kittycatz]

people in wheelchairs are allowed seats with ample space on a flight (quite rightly), so why is it that when my husband who is 1inch off of 7ft and myself use the airlines we are constantly told that we have to pay for the seats with extra leg room? people with disabilities are not subject to a fee, so why discriminate against people who are well above the normal height? surely this must come under health and saftey? there is no way that he can do all the foot exercises let along eat a meal, and what about the people infront and beside him? oh and also get into the crash position! we have wrote numerous letters to the airline companies stating these views but it all seems to have fallen on deaf ears!

[Kaz081992]

Well from what I've been told, if when you are seated you show the steward that you physically cannot get into the crash position then they are obliged to move you to a seat with extra leg room (at no extra charge) IF there is one available. Of course, if they are fully booked and there are no spare seats then there is nothing they can do, so either take the chance or book the extra leg room in advance so it's guaranteed. What gets me is when they charge you for pre-booking your seats... What's that about?!?!?!

[jno]

maybe because your husband isn't disabled? Height isn't some kind of illness, after all

[BenDToy]

I am not sure about disabled people getting "ample space". On many planes, the only seats with additional leg room are emergency exit rows, and disabled people are not allowed to sit there (by law).
If it is such an issue for him (and at 6'11" it must be) then pay for the seats.
Anyway, why shouldn't airlines charge for seats which are regarded as "premium"? After all, every passenger would like extra leg room, but how many are prepared to pay for it? The more you want or need it, the more likely you are to pay the price. Cough up and stop moaning!
It's only on budget airlines that this appllies - full service carriers don't usually charge.
And I bet it's your husband that is in front of me at every gig and cinema I've ever been to. ;-)

[BenDToy]

Nice one Kaz btw! Why would anyone pay for that? - especially since most of the flights involved are short haul. My favourite is "priority boarding". What kind of mug pays extra to get on first (and often they don't because they then have to go on a bus to the plane)? And then the same people are desparate to get off first as well. WTF is that about?

[jno]

someone who wants to sit with their family perhaps, Ben...

[alijangra]

Anytime Im flying long haul, I always choose the seat next to the escape (when available) when I choose my seat online. These seats always have extra space. I have never had to pay for choosing my seat, it must vary with different airlines.

[Dassie]

Its basic economics.........The low cost and charter airlines make money from it to compensate for low fares.

The long haul scheduled carriers charge enough for their fares in the first place to not impose extras.

[doirecormac]

my pet hate is fat people - ok, I know it's not nice to even think it but why do I get charged for being a couple of kilos over my luggage allowance when there are people who are at least 10 stone heavier than me on the same flight who don't get charged extra.

airlines should allocate a combined allowance for the person and the luggage and if you are over then it is because your a fat git.....