Disabled and severely obese travelers to get extra seats for free in Canada

Obese and disabled travelers who have had to buy additional seats on Canadian airlines will soon have to be given those seats free. Last week, Canada's Supreme Court rejected an appeal of Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) rules on the subject. The CTA's "one person, one fare" policy means that people with such severe disabilities that they need to travel with an attendant or with a wheelchair can only be charged a single fare. This same ruling also mandates a single ticket charge for severely obese people who may need to take up more than one seat.

Air Canada and WestJet, the two airlines affected by the ruling, have until early January to comply. The agency estimates that the policy will cost Air Canada about $5.5 million a year and WestJet about $1.2 million a year.

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