Feeton Terrafirma - an interesting post: For arguments sake, let's take some of your points to their logical conclusions?
If I understand you correctly, it is the responsibility of every airline to ensure that an appropriate seat is provided for somebody of your size. Since you have the freedom to travel when and where you want, all world airlines must make this facility available to you at all times, and without prior notice.
It therefore must be also the responsibility of all world airlines to provide an appropriate seat for other customers who are
larger than you are, or else this would involve similar discrimination for others. Therefore, for arguments sake, seats must
always be available, on all flights, without prior notice to enable the comfort and safety of a hypothetical customer of, say, 6ft 11" and 200kgs?
Since, at these sizes/weights, it is possible that an Exit Row seat is inappropriate, seat pitch on at least a part of the cabin must be increased to enable appropriate seating to be provided. The cost for this must presumably be absorbed by your fellow passengers, or by the airline, or both? As an alternative, you have the right to a Business/First class seat without being required to pay the price paid for by others. To ensure that you achieve this desirable end, you avoid mentioning the problem until the last moment when the crew are provided with the choice of delaying the flight to offload you, or to upgrade you: This means that you have made it not only the airlines problem, but also the problem of your fellow passengers, and your crew. You do not mention the suggested course of action should the flight, or even just the upgrade cabins be full: Presumably, the airline would be expected to offload somebody else less important, to enable your seating requirement.
It is unclear which "discrimination card" you wish to be played. Presumably not the reverse discrimination applied to those other passengers, shorter than you, who are required to pay normal prices for their upgraded seating?
I imagine that you may read this and detect a distinct lack of sympathy. I have every sympathy with your predicament, and as a Crew Member, would seek to help you in any way possible, provided your behaviour is reasonable and considerate towards all involved: This would exclude manipulative or confrontational behaviour.
Out of curiosity, what would be best practise when travelling on a mid-haul coach, crowded train or metro or smaller sized taxi (all of which have, on average, higher seat/mile costs than aircraft): Likewise, many cinema seats, some restaurants or even hotel toilet/shower cubicles - the list can go on. The point is that any number of businesses will base their costs upon an average figure, whether physical, mental or social. Do
all businesses receive treatment from you that is in all ways equal, or do airlines get just a little bit more stick - or at least those that have a spare seat in C Class?
