Canadian Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Disabled, Obese Air Passengers

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Air Canada and WestJet lost their petition filed with the Supreme Court not to make the provision of an extra plane seat to obese or disabled passenger mandatory.

In a decision released Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected the two air carriers' request to overturn the order issued by the Canadian Transportation Agency requiring them to provide more space to air travelers who need more room. The CTA issued the order after it declared Air Canada and WestJet were discriminating against the large and disabled passengers by their insistence on a one person, one fare policy.

With the Supreme Court decision, a wheelchair or an attendant who accompanies the overweight or disabled passenger will not be charged higher fare for the additional seat or space.

Canadian train and shipping companies have long adopted that policy, but airlines argued they would lose much money if they are forced to grant the same privilege.