Air France makes obese pay extra

OBESE passengers travelling with Air France will be made to pay 75% extra from later this year, the airline has announced.

The rule, which comes into effect in April, requires anyone who cannot fit into the 43cm-wide seats on board to pay for the seat next to them as well, minus taxes and surcharges.

Air France said the policy was being introduced for security reasons, as it had a duty to make sure all passengers' seatbelts were safely attached and the aisles left clear.

It said obese travellers would have the second seat refunded if the flight was not full.

More details about how the policy will be enforced should become clear on February 1, when Air France will start issuing the double tickets.

In November 2007, the airline was ordered to pay damages to an obese passenger who had been made to pay for two seats on a flight from New Delhi to Paris.

A court ruled that Air France's terms and conditions were not clear enough. It said the traveller had been "humiliated" when a member of staff measured him in front of his fellow passengers before being allowed to board.

Photo:Flying Blue