Fully agree with the sentiments, I say make it total weight (weight + baggage) per pax (adult). I think some of the Yank carriers have the right idea, charge the large pax for 2 seats but refund them the extra seat if the flight isn't full.
Baggage allowances aren't the worst of it though, having to sit next to one of these weight challenged pax is very unpleasant on one of the 4 to 5 hour transcontinental flights, spilling into your already somewhat limited seating area. :ooh:

I had the joys of that on my last return from the US, LHS.

To be fair to him, although he needed a seatbelt extender he wasn't a problem at all as far as "overspill" goes.

Unlike the mammoth I had the misfortune of being stuck beside on an overnight Amtrak train once, who took up a third of my seat too. One decided crashing out in the observation car was a better idea then (train staff asked why I was sleeping there so I told them to go and look at where I was supposed to be sitting. They came back with a blanket for me.)

I remember years ago suspecting that US Airways check-in staff noted the seat numbers of slim people like myself as I seemed all too frequently to have some whale sitting next to me between Gatwick and Philadelphia or Charlotte. Can anyone confirm/deny that airlines do this? I'm intrigued.

Can your wife lift 25kg? Maybe we should be restricted to a suitcase we can easily lift. And how on earth can anyone need 25kg of luggage going on a 2-week holiday?

Going out, no, one bag each, probably about 15kg each. Coming back, two bags each, close to max allowed weight, full of stuff we can only get in the US, or that is much cheaper there.

It's called "business class", "premium economy" or "first class".

malc4d
 

You have hit the nail smack bang on the head.

Take a healthy normal male with say a 38" chest and measure the dimension across upper arms and you will get at least 23".

The width of economy seats are usually 16", 17" or occasionally 18". Add 2" each side for arm rests which gives an available space 20", 21" or 22".

Any 'average' male allocated a centre seat is bound to occupy both arm rests ad possibly more. This is not something new, it has been a fact for decades.

I firmly believe the lack of shoulder space is the main reason why economy travel can be so uncomfortable. But hey, when has economy passenger comfort ever been a consideration with any airline.

Hmmm
 

I do love analogies.... here's one for you.

As a Silver Qantas and Velocity FF, I travel a lot. I check in at Virgin, using the average passenger weight of say 80kg. I paid for 2 seats, so there is my 160kgs covered. I am only allowed to check in 20kg of luggage because the extra seat purchased does not allow for an increased baggage allowance. So by the way some of you have worked things out, I, the big fatty, should be due a refund for the 20kgs of baggage allowance I am not using.

Get real. Weights are all averaged. The world is getting fatter. And all humans have feelings.

Know this, I pay for 2 seats everytime I fly (unless it's in J). No Oz airline will refund the 2nd seat if the flight isn't full. Qantas will remove taxes on the second seat though. I can't check in online. I can't book online (except Virgin). I get dirty looks when sat in A with B empty and another Pax in C, him thinking that I am using HIS shared middle seat for the tray table or magazines. I only get points and status credits for 1 seat AND I am still amazed that I comply with the carry on restrictions whilst some of those 80kg business men board with their rollaboard (probably WAY over 7kg seeing as they weigh 4kg empty), laptop bag and laptop and messenger bag or duty free.

Agggr!