A new survey reveals that 76% of people believe that airlines should charge a ‘Fat Tax’ for obese passengers.

A new survey from flight search engine Skyscanner says that 76% of travellers believe that airlines should charge obese people a ‘Fat Tax’ reigniting the debate.

In a poll of more than 550 people, only 22% of people disapproved against such a move.

Ryanair roused mixed feelings in April last year when it said it was considering how to charge a ‘Fat Tax’ after more than 30,000 passengers voted in favour of charging excess weight fees for very large passengers in an online vote.

At the time, Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara defended the vote: “These charges, if introduced might also act as an incentive to some of our very large passengers to lose a little weight and hopefully feel a little lighter and healthier.”

Barry Smith, Co-founder and Director of Skyscanner, commented: “So called ‘Fat Tax’ is a very sensitive issue for airlines; they will have to tread carefully so as not to alienate heavier passengers.

“On one hand, it’s not unreasonable for airlines to charge extra if they occupy more than one seat. On the other, many would argue it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers.”

After receiving unwelcome accusations regarding its policy towards obese passengers, Air France (which includes KLM, its partner airline) has clarified its policy.

In a statement released earlier this month the company said: “Air France has never made it compulsory for obese passengers to purchase a second seat. The airline has merely offered this as an option since 2005, at a 25% discount, to allow passengers to travel in optimum comfort.”

France’s national airline said it is introducing an amendment to its policy from 1 February and said it will refund the cost of the additional seat purchased if the flight is not full.

According to the most recent Health Survey for England in 2008, 1 in 4 adults were classed as obese and Foresight predicts that if we don’t tackle obesity 50% of adults would be obese by 2050.

This debate looks unlikely to ever go away. As budget airlines, and indeed some of the larger national carriers, continue to penalise passengers for carrying checked-in luggage, and reveal an array of additional charges, people will query why they should have to pay extra when their obese fellow travellers pay the same amount for the flight yet clearly weigh heavier themselves.

Having experienced a flight myself where my seat was taken up by an obese passenger and I was forced to move as a consequence – despite specifically choosing the seat – I must say a part of me agrees with the large majority.

Was it fair that I’d paid the same price as this person and specifically selected a lovely window seat at the front of the plane, only to be forced to move because the cabin crew didn’t want to offend them? In this instance this person either needed an additional seat for them to be comfortable or needed what some suggest as an alternative – larger seats that accommodate all shapes and sizes.

If more airlines followed a similar policy to Air France then maybe this may overcome passenger prejudice and at the same time allow those heavier passengers a much more enjoyable flight.

However, is it also fair that I may have to pay as much as £70 to put a checked bag on with Ryanair as they don’t want to carry the extra weight, but a passenger double my size doesn’t have to pay more for carrying their own additional weight? 

A controversial debate this may be, but what do you think? Should obese travellers be charged more for flying? Should they be forced to buy an extra seat if they weigh over a certain size?

Should this debate even be allowed to take place? Are we not being prejudiced towards people just because of their weight? After all, some people have medical problems which mean they are unable to lose weight.