Heavier air passengers could 'blast through' seat belts, warn safety experts

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Questions have been raised over the safety standards of airplane seats and seat belts for obese people - as they are still being designed for regulations written up six decades ago, say American experts.

According to the nytimes.com, seats are still designed for a male passenger weight of 170 pounds, but the average American man now weighs nearly 194 pounds.

Seats are still tested with crash test dummies reflecting this 170-pound rule, leading engineers and scientists question whether they are strong enough for heavier fliers.

Robert Salzar, the principal scientist at the Centre for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia, told the paper: "If a heavier person completely fills a seat, the seat is not likely to behave as intended during a crash.

"The energy absorption that is built into the aircraft seat is likely to be overwhelmed and the occupants will not be protected optimally."

Dr Salzar also explained that seat belts should be tested to ensure they can protect larger individuals, saying: "You'd be amazed at how the large person blasts through that restraint."

He added that potential injuries would not necessarily be confined to the heavier passenger, saying that if seats collapse or belts don't work, "the unrestrained motion of the passenger" could endanger those seated nearby.

The news comes as recent survey suggests that almost half of British men think overweight passengers should pay a 'fat tax' on flights.

The poll by HolidayExtras.com found that 48% of all those questioned thought heavier people should pay for their extra weight, just as other fliers pay for excess baggage.

According to the Telegraph, James Lewis, Head of Online Partnerships at HolidayExtras.com, said: "The world is getting fatter - and this is becoming a big issue. Being an overweight passenger affects your travelling companions, physically and financially. If we have to pay extra for excess baggage, it's only fair that we pay extra for excessive body weight.

"Sitting next to a large person on a plane can sometimes reduce the space that you have to relax, so maybe airlines should offer some of the revenue from the additional ticket cost to the person sitting next to the fat person too."

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