Thai Airways Bans Oversized People and Newborn Babies in Business Class

Thai Airways is bucking with industry standards and banning oversize passengers and parents traveling with newborns from flying in business-class seats. The announcement has enraged the Thai public, while business travelers praised the decision. 

The airline justified the controversial move by saying that it is due to safety concerns aboard their new Boeing 787-9 planes, according to Flight Lieutenant Prathana Patthanasiri. But, this hasn’t stopped activists from fighting back. Thai activist Srisuwan Janya has threatened to take the national carrier to court claiming the policy is both “unconstitutional” and “discriminatory.”

The new business-class seat configuration on Thai Airways Dreamliner cannot fit passengers with waists larger than 56-inch waists. The airline says that seat belts larger than this would impact the deployment and placement of the airbag, according to the Bangkok Post.

Passengers larger than this will have to book an economy-class ticket.