Passenger size a safety issue?
Travelling home on a long-haul charter flight recently I was astonished by the size of one passenger who was so grossly obese he was completely wedged into his seat, his stomach almost touching the seat in front. He had to use an extension seatbelt and as he was in the aisle seat, it occurred to me that the people trapped inside him would not have a hope in getting out if there was an emergency evacuation. Also if he had managed to extract himself he would have completely blocked the aisle.
I believe that this is a serious safety issue and I wonder why the airlines do not limit the size of passenger, or alternatively insist that they purchase a seat in Business class. Looking around the departure lounge I saw several people of this huge stature and the problem will only get worse. Will the airlines start to configure the aircraft for these bigger people? It must be so uncomfortable for them as well as the passenger next to them. One is reminded of the story about the small lady who was squeezed in beside a 24 stone woman and suffered crush injuries.
Any views?