Overweight passengers, a challenge for passengers and airlines

The average seat step, an approximate measure of legroom clearance, increased from 35 inches in the 1970s to about 31 inches today. And the average width has withered from 18 inches to about 16.5 inches.

Airlines are more sensitive than ever to skirmishes in the territories. But air travelers have also developed their own tips. They could save you from being in a hurry on your next trip.

More: President Trump signs bill to regulate airline seat size

What do airlines do with oversized air passengers?

Oversized air passengers fall into two broad categories. Some travelers can not enter the seats because of the size of their hips. Others are too big to turn into an economy class seat with limited legroom. Those who generate the most complaints, perhaps unjustly, are those who spread to the next seat.

That's what happened to Sam Cristol, 73 years old. He found himself sitting next to a passenger 6 meters 7 inches and 500 pounds on a 5.5 hour JetBlue flight between Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco.

"He looked like an NFL lineman," said Cristol, a food broker in Lake Worth, Florida. "He took half of my seat, my other half was in the driveway while I had to hold the seat in front of me."

Cristol complained to JetBlue, who apologized for the inconvenience. I checked with JetBlue about his flight and this one offered a $ 100 voucher to him and the sideline, which was an interesting solution.

JetBlue offers seatbelt extensions for the passengers of major airlines on its site, but also makes no comment on its policy of reducing the number of passengers. Other airlines require frequent travelers to buy two seats.

Crew members are trying to resolve these clashes before takeoff. For example, a flight attendant would have attempted to reassemble a passenger such as Cristol. But unfortunately, it was a completely complete flight. He might have also asked to exchange seats with a smaller passenger, but that was not an option either.

What passengers are doing about oversized air passengers

Beyond the usual tips – changing seats, trying to persuade a smaller passenger to take your place, ask for an upgrade – what are you doing?

A little kindness would probably take you far, says Casey Gardonio-Foat, a St. Louis small business owner.

"Have empathy for the bigger person," she says. "Do not forget that they are probably more uncomfortable than you do.This is explained by the reduced number of airline seats, as well as by prejudice and generally treatment. horrible infliction on larger people in American society. "

Suzanne Dixon, a dietician from Portland, Oregon, agrees that being pleasant can make the trip more survivable.

"When I sit next to a large passenger, I greet him with a smile," she said. "Regardless of the degree of pressure, a positive, non-critical attitude is important."

A polite request can also help. On the last flight of Stacy Caprio, her seat mate took over her armrest and entered her personal space. "I asked him," Can we please keep our arms in our seats? "Said Caprio, who works for a Canadian coupon website." He grunted but mostly obeyed, which made the flight much more enjoyable for me. "

Ken Friedlander was so concerned about passengers flowing into the space of someone else that he invented something to fix it. This is a score called Create-A-Space (createaspace.net, $ 39) that lands against your armrest, clearly delineating your personal room.

"I found that coming prepared with something to help share the armrest really makes a difference," he says. "Airlines have made it a part of good trip planning."

Jen Lowe shared one of the smarter techniques I've heard, although this is not necessarily a technique I would approve. She told me the story of a "super intrusive" siege companion during a recent flight that refused to budge.

"She was rude and little excuse to physically take my personal space in my seat," says Lowe, a swimwear designer from San Diego.

Halfway through the uncomfortable flight, the cabin became cold. And she had an idea.

"I just snuggled up against her and put my head on her caressing shoulder," she says. "It's amazing how fast she could suddenly retract into her own seat – like, absolutely."

What are your rights with an invader from the space?

• Fly later. If you are sitting next to someone who can not occupy a seat and your schedule is flexible, ask a flight attendant if you can take the next flight. If there is room in the next plane, you'd better travel later.

• Know your legal rights. Unfortunately, you do not have many of them. The contract of carriage, the legal contract between you and the airline, does not say that you are entitled to a full seat. In general, the crew think that if you can sit down and use your seatbelt, you're ready to go.

• Know what to expect when you complain. In practice, airlines will apologize and perhaps offer a voucher for your discomfort. Take discreet photos of the raid and send them with your complaint. If the airline does not respond appropriately, consider using a third party, such as a consumer rights advocate, or post your photos on social media.