Neither obese people or people with dis/abilities flying with an attendant can be charged twice
I just read this article on a Supreme Court of Canada ruling today on airline seat sale and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside; I had to share it. This is the link to the CBC article on it as well.
A quote form the CBC article:
The court's decision means airlines must offer a "one person, one fare" policy to disabled people who require room for an attendant during the flight or require extra room for a wheelchair, or for people who are clinically obese and take up more than one seat.
[...]
The case has wound its way through various agencies and courts for years. It was originally brought forward in 2002 by three parties:
Calgary law Prof. Linda McKay-Panos, who was later granted intervener status, has been arguing for the rights of obese travellers since she was charged for 1½ seats on a 1997 Air Canada flight.
I don't however, encourage reading the comment section beneath either articles it is rampant with fatphobia but I am thrilled by this decision. I'm a tad confused by the fact that the ruling was issued without comment, I'm not sure how to read that (if it can be definitely read either way). I am assuming it only pertains to flights by the 3 Canadian companies and not flights by other companies coming into Canada. Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, I wonder if one way they can get around this ruling (should they want to, I'm not saying they are or aren't) would be to have more intra-Canadian flights operated by other Star Alliance members. One presumes that if any of the companies try to go down that route, the regulators will find a way to counter that practice.
A quote form the CBC article:
The court's decision means airlines must offer a "one person, one fare" policy to disabled people who require room for an attendant during the flight or require extra room for a wheelchair, or for people who are clinically obese and take up more than one seat.
[...]
The case has wound its way through various agencies and courts for years. It was originally brought forward in 2002 by three parties:
- Victoria resident Joanne Neubauer, who has rheumatoid arthritis and requires a personal attendant, wheelchair and crutches.
- Eric Norman, a man from Gander, N.L., who had a rare disease that impaired his motor skills. He has since died.
- The Council of Canadians with Disabilities.
Calgary law Prof. Linda McKay-Panos, who was later granted intervener status, has been arguing for the rights of obese travellers since she was charged for 1½ seats on a 1997 Air Canada flight.
I don't however, encourage reading the comment section beneath either articles it is rampant with fatphobia but I am thrilled by this decision. I'm a tad confused by the fact that the ruling was issued without comment, I'm not sure how to read that (if it can be definitely read either way). I am assuming it only pertains to flights by the 3 Canadian companies and not flights by other companies coming into Canada. Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, I wonder if one way they can get around this ruling (should they want to, I'm not saying they are or aren't) would be to have more intra-Canadian flights operated by other Star Alliance members. One presumes that if any of the companies try to go down that route, the regulators will find a way to counter that practice.