Getting the boot from a flight because you’re a tall guy?  Seems to have happened a few weeks ago to a 6-foot, 9-inch tall man on a flight from Portland to Ontario, CA. Tall guys I know go out of they’re way to get a semi-comfortable spot on airplanes – everywhere from arriving 2 hrs early to sweet-talking gate agents. The biggest competitors all the other average-heighted and bathroom-needy types who want the freedom aisle seats afford. (Okay, I’m guilty)

Surprisingly, the ordeal happened on Horizon Airlines, part of the awesomely accommodating Alaska Air group. According to MSNBC, the tall gentleman who tried his best to get a better seat prior to departure was removed from the flight because his legs were blocking the aisle. Those commuter Horizon planes like the Q400 can be small, but it sounds like good common sense wasn’t used to figure out an appropriate, non-demeaning solution.

On the same subject, there was also a 6’7” man who was forced to stand for a two-hour flight on another regional airline in December. Isn’t standing a) illegal and b) unsafe? Remind me not to ever travel Spirit airlines.

There’s a smattering of controversy as to wether tall guys should buy second seats for their long limbs. This is silly. Tall isn’t like being obese – just because you are tall doesn’t mean you’re big plus you can’t stack yourself like a fold-up walking cane. Now if you could pull out the seat in front of you – then tall-framed types would be blessed!  Refer back to some handy tall guy traveling tips here at Stand Tall for work-arounds to travel.

There’s a lot of chatter on comment boards around the world on this article. The UK Daily Mail had 23 posts and counting on the tall bungle. Here’s what people had to say:

The problem with airlines worldwide that no longer do reserve ahead seating is that short trolls who fit in standard seats with ease rush, push and hustle to the largest seats on a plane and refuse to move under any circumstance. I for one can not stand short trolls, get in the baby seats little fella, you don’t belong in the man-sized seats.
- I think in fairness, USA, KCMO, 07/4/2011 16:58

At 6′ 4″ I’m not excessively tall, but have considerable difficulty in airlines with 31″ seat pitch. The very worst in the world is Qatar Airlines; on a recent 8 hour flight I sat in a staff jump-seat because I could not actually sit down in the cramped corner allocated. The staff were quite unconcerned, even though it is contrary to regulations for a passenger to occupy a jump seat at any time during a flight. My answer is simple: I shall never travel on Qatar airways, and will ensure that my experience receives the broadest possible coverage.
- mike, salisbury, uk, 7/4/2011 5:43

The difference between being to tall and to fat is enormous, being fat is generally self inflicted and can be remedied by eating less and getting more exercise, there is no cure for being tall.
- Daisy, France, 7/4/2011 2:04

With 1 in 4 men in the U.S. 6 foot or taller, there’s a lot of attention to the tall condition. While some might call to avoid flying Horizon, the time for tall guys to fly is now. With attentions turned to keeping tall passengers happy, you’re likely to get some good treatment in the upcoming months.