位于芝加哥的美國聯合航空日前推出一項針對肥胖乘客的新政策，在客艙滿員而無法為其提供額外空位時，航空公司要求過于肥胖的乘客放棄本次航班并以同樣價格購買下一航班兩個座位的機票。該政策一經宣布變立即生效。聯合航空表示，無法放下座位扶手，加延長帶后仍然無法將安全帶扣合的乘客均被列入“過于肥胖乘客”范疇。聯合航空發言人表示，此前已有包括大陸、達美、捷藍以及西南航空在內的八家航空公司推出過這項政策。航空公司推出此類政策多是因為每年會接到大量乘客投訴，抱怨被肥胖乘客擠占了座位。

United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corp, will require obese passengers bumped from full flights to purchase two seats on a subsequent flight, matching the policy of some other carriers.

United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corp, will require obese passengers bumped fromfull flights to purchase two seats on a subsequent flight, matching the policy of some other carriers.

The change brings the Chicago-based in line with eight other airlines including Continental, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest, United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said on Wednesday.

"Last year we had 700 complaints from passengers who had to share their seats," she said.

Under the new policy, obese passengers -- defined as unable to lower the arm rest and buckle a seat belt with one extension belt -- will still be reaccommodated, at no extra charge, to two empty seats if there is space available.

If, however, the airplane is full, they will be bumped from the flight and may have to purchase a second ticket, at the same price as the original fare, Urbanski said.

If the bumped passenger chooses to cancel the trip, the ticket will be refunded with no additional charge.

The policy is effective immediately.

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(Agencies)

Vocabulary:

full flight: 滿員航班

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）