Chapter 11, Problem 1LEC

Legal/Ethical Challenges
Should Airlines Accommodate Oversized People? Traveling on an airplane can be extra difficult for overweight and tall people. Boeing’s 757 standard seat width is 17 inches, while Airbuss 319s is 17.2 inches wide.247 Given individual differences in hip width, this can be a problem, particularly for women. This issue was investigated by the Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource Project (Caesar). The project was funded by a consortium of companies.
The Caesar project measured over 4,000 people from the United States and Europe and uncovered the follolling: “The hip breadth of men in the 95th percentile of the population. i.e., on the very big side, measures 17.6 inches. This means that 95% of all men can fit into a standard Airbus seat. In contrast, females face a different situation. According to Caesar’s report, “the hip breadth of women in the 90th percentile is 19.2 inches, and those in the 95th percentile have hips measuring 22.4 inches. “248 The core skeletal system is the reason for the difference between men and women. Females simply have a larger pelvis than men.
Do you think airlines should accommodate people with larger hips? Although there are not any regulations in the United States to accommodate people, New York senator Charles Sehumer wants the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish minimum seat size standards. Some people believe that forcing airlines to establish bigger, standard seat sizes ultimately increases fares. Industry group Airlines for America opposes the idea. “The group flotes that the FAA should regulate seat size for safety, but should not substitute its judgments for market forces on what people are willing to pay. “249
Seat pitch, the distance between seat backs, also is decreasing. This males for less leg room for all people. The typical seat pitch in Economy class is 29—32 inches, with a range of 29—36.250
The trends are clear. In general, airlines are adding seats while decreasing seat width and pitch. These changes clearly impact taller, wider, and heavier individuals. Somoa Air is resolving this issue by charging fees based on passengers’ weight. Does this seem ethical? The question to consider is whether seat width and pitch should be regulated or determined by market forces.
SOLVING THE CHALLENGE

1. I recommend creating a national standard for seat width based on the average hip size of men and women. I would also standardize seat pitch so that it accommodates the average height of men and women. Once this is done, I would charge passengers a special fee for more space.
2. Let market forces determine the design of airplanes and fares. The government should stay out of this issue. For example, Bombardier’s CS₁₀₀ expanded seat width to 18.5 inches and included 19 inches for the middle seat. The airline maker did this to compete with smaller seats offered in planes made by Airbus and Boeing. 251
3. Because women on average have larger hip breadth than men, it is not fair to base fees on the size of a seat. This would disadvantage women. I would standardize seat width based on the average size of women. People can pay extra fees if they want additional seat width or pitch.
4. Invent other options.