Winston Aldworth: A tall story

The advantages of being tall put taller people in a better position to pay for upgrades. Photo / Thinkstock

Should tall people have to pay extra to get a more comfortable airline seat?

I received an interesting letter this week (see below). In her letter, Jackie Smillie points out how tough it is for her 6ft 4in son to fit into an airline seat; she suggests tall people should not have to pay for aisle seats.

I'm a shade under 6ft and it's tough enough for me to get comfortable, so I feel for the big guy. I also prefer aisle seats and - unless you're pregnant - I'm unlikely to offer my aisle seat to you.

Besides, the advantages of being tall put taller people in a better position to pay for upgrades. Studies have shown that taller men are more likely to succeed in education, sport and work. A recent survey found that while 30 per cent of Fortune 500 CEOs were 6ft 2in or taller, only 3.9 per cent of the general population matched that height.

So, to rephrase the question: Should short passengers be subsidising people who are more likely to be able to afford to pay for an upgrade, so they can get into more comfortable seats?

Letter to the Editor:

Dear Sir,

Re: Gerard Willemsen's Letter to the Travel Editor [Tuesday, February 10].

I couldn't agree more regarding the cramped economy section on the Air New Zealand 777-300 (it's not just this aircraft either). My son recently travelled to the US on this aircraft. He is not the complaining type but, being 6ft 4in (1.95m) in height, found the cramped conditions in economy unbearable.

Pay for an exit-row seat or upgrade to Premium Economy, I hear some people suggest. He shouldn't have to! My annoyance is that people over a certain height are being discriminated against and, because of their genes, are expected to pay more than someone 5ft 6in and fine build.

Realistically, people are growing bigger, not smaller, these days, so the seat width and leg space should be increasing, not decreasing.

I would love to be loyal to Air New Zealand, but we found better deals, price-wise and class-wise, to travel to Europe in April, and will continue to choose other airlines until Air New Zealand can offer better deals.

It seems they only look after their Frequent Flyers - the big money spenders. The rest of us are on our own.

Jackie Smillie