Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Canadian Transport Agency bans Canadian-based airlines from charging obese passengers for an extra seat on any flight. Introduced in 2009, this legislation also requires airlines to provide morbidly obese passengers with an additional seat free of charge on all domestic flights. The country's major airlines protested the move, but the Supreme Court of Canada turned down their appeal.
Although the United States government does not prohibit airlines from charging overweight passengers for an additional seat, the Federal Aviation Authority does require all carriers to provide extended seat belts for safety reasons to overweight travelers, or those requesting them from flight attendants.
Southwest Airlines requires all passengers unable to pull down the armrests on both sides of their seat to purchase an extra seat at a special, reduced rate. If the aircraft is not flying at capacity, obese passengers may receive a refund for the second ticket.