The Australian public has expressed mixed feelings over suggestions that airlines should charge heavier flyers higher airfares, with some saying it is only fair while others question how far some carriers will go to save a buck.

e-Travel Blackboard was inundated with comments and emails yesterday after former Qantas executive Tony Webber said overweight people should pay more for their ticket prices to cover fuel costs.

 30 percent of our readers said they were in favour of the possible charge while 60 percent finding it completely unreasonable.

One reader called the possible policy a violation against anti-discrimination acts and questioned whether taller people would be targeted as well as athletes and the elderly.

Another pointed out that some carriers are already charging some larger passengers for two seats and wonders the extent to which the aviation industry will “continue to discriminate against this group”.

“Why don’t we apply this rational to all forms of travel, taxis, trains and ships, [they] could all use this theory to charge so called over weight people more for travel,” the reader’s comment read.

Meanwhile another e-Travel Blackboard commenter said if airlines were going to down this path, would they eventually start charging flyers drinking alcohol on board more as opposed to those who prefer water.

The same reader noted that perhaps airlines should reconsider their staff benefits and leave those freebie seats for paying customers. 

Also discussed yesterday was the possibility of increasing the luggage weight for ‘smaller’ travellers, with some saying this could be the solution to level out weight differences. 

“Maybe the lighter people should get excess baggage up to the weight of the bigger person,” one reader stated.

On the other side of the spectrum one e-Travel Blackboard said higher airfares for overweight flyers is “the only fair way to go”, finding the current fare system a discrimination against “fit or thin people”.

The same stance was taken by another reader, who said it was a “fair suggestion”, but found complications in the application of the system.

“… it is wrought with complications and opens up a can of worms,” the reader’s comment read.

“Some planes go out half full...others full so how do you calculate cost differences.”

According to one commenter, the ‘hefty’ charge has already been implemented on carriers flying between Samoa and American Samoa, and said the system “works well”.

“Try flying between Samoa and American Samoa, you have to step on the scales,” the comment read.

“Admitted its because they only use small planes and they need to be aware of Gross weight of aircraft, bigger Samoans don't seem to mind.

“I think its a great way for me to save money. Bring it on.”

What side of the spectrum are you on?