Times are changing for airlines and airports across the globe. From health and safety restrictions to weather rescheduling, it’s hard to tell what you’re in for when you book a flight nowadays. According to a spokesperson with the United Airlines “Live and Let’s Fly” blog, United Airlines will begin blocking up to six seats on its Boeing 757 fleet. The reason is that passengers’ weight seems to be steadily increasing.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said that the FAA prescribes the changes to cater to the increased weight of customers during winter. They plan on blocking seats to comply with the requirements of B757. The new rule will start from November to April.
This decision was finalized after the FAA revealed that the average weight of female passengers during the winter, including carry-on items, rose from 150 pounds in 2019 to 184 in 2022. The weight of male passengers also increased from 190 pounds to 205 pounds over that same period.
The blocked-off sections on flights will always be the middle seats in rows 16-40. This action ensures that the passengers’ weight will be evenly distributed on each flight, reducing the odds of weight-related emergencies on flights. Another factor for the rule change on United Airlines flights is that people wear heavier coats during the winter, which can impact how much cargo weighs.
The change to United Airlines flights will likely create a more comfortable experience in coach, regardless of how much you weigh. The blocked-out sections on flights will have a laminated sign covering them. Since the change will probably lead to a more comfortable flight, it’ll be interesting to see how people respond should the changes get repealed in April. According to the United Airlines Live and Let’s Fly blog, the same policy was implemented last winter and lifted by the springtime.
