ElonComedy: At least it evens out so the plane doesn’t flip forward.
SirJelly: This is just a [proxy for wealth](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/08/genetic-study-shows-mens-height-and-womens-weight-drive-earning-power), with exactly the expected result when averaged over a cabin full of essentially random people!
Tall men earn more than short men (and for similar fitness, will be heavier), and fit women earn more than fat women, and of course this helps them to afford first class seats. There may be an additional effect for men, that a wealthy small man will be less bothered by economy seats even if they could afford first class, while a heavier wealthy man will value that extra space much more.
[http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.i582](http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.i582)
[https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2014/10/21/overweight-women-labor-market/](https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2014/10/21/overweight-women-labor-market/)
[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/08/genetic-study-shows-mens-height-and-womens-weight-drive-earning-power](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/08/genetic-study-shows-mens-height-and-womens-weight-drive-earning-power)
[http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161130-fat-people-earn-less-and-have-a-harder-time-finding-work]
(http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161130-fat-people-earn-less-and-have-a-harder-time-finding-work)
[https://www.forbes.com/sites/freekvermeulen/2011/03/22/the-price-of-obesity-how-your-salary-depends-on-your-weight/#382f78b83d9a](https://www.forbes.com/sites/freekvermeulen/2011/03/22/the-price-of-obesity-how-your-salary-depends-on-your-weight/#382f78b83d9a)
edit: As a man of small stature I have flown first class one time for an overnight international trip, and while I enjoyed being able to lay my seat flat, I felt that all the extra space was mostly wasted on me. I prefer to just fly in a day early on a cheaper ticket and get a full nights rest at a hotel than pay for a very expensive first class ticket to get mediocre rest.
dupontcircle: This is 0% surprising
-rabid-: TIL I should be traveling first class.
Just1morefix: So wealthy, fat guys and their trophy wives?
Poemi: Weight just isn’t a marker of socioeconomic status for men. It is for women.
TooShiftyForYou: *Until now, Finnair has, like most airlines, been using European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) passenger standard weight estimates, which put a male’s weight at 84.6kg (186.5 lbs), and a female passenger at 66.5kg (146.6 lbs)*
Come on Europe, those are rookie numbers.
DesertGoat: As a fat man, I can confirm that I fly first class on any flights over an hour. There are two primary reasons for this:
1. Because I don’t want to feel like a goddamn sardine.
2. Because I don’t want the person next to me to feel like a goddamn sardine.
Other benefits include not having to pay a checked bag fee, getting to cut ahead in most security lines, getting my checked bag out first, and free booze.
yellowromancandle: “Lois, men aren’t fat. Only fat women are fat.”
AnyDogWillSuffice: Hence the phrase “First Class Face, with an Economy Booty.”
figyg: TIL Rich guys like food and hot women
KingOfTheBongos87: It’s worth pointing out that a lot of larger men physically can’t fit comfortably in economy seats.
therealshecky: Whoever wrote that never flew economy out of Wisconsin
ranbrockmar: Tall men tend to make more money; they also weigh more
MetaFlight: This is one of those things you never thought of, but then realize makes sense.
GrampappyJoe: Who needs a six pack when you have six figures
Reformed_Mother: People in general whole travel first class tend to have more money. As far as the men go, the term Fat Cats comes to mind.
Women who travel first class are often high powered business women, and while it is acceptable for high powered business men to be corpulant, the same is not true of high powered business women. In general, wealthier women live their lives more in the public eye are more conscious of their appearance.
Wealthy men tend to care much less what people think and see corpulance as a sign of success.
FoolproofPlague: Direct correlation to average income as well. Thin women and big men get paid. Big women and petite men earn lower tier wages.
MishaMcDash: As a man with a very thin, feminine body, can confirm I am first class.
The_Great_Euripides: I have never seen a fat businesswoman.
slamongo: Maybe the size of the seats play a small role in the outcome?
Zchavago: Poor women eat while rich women diet?
neverseethecrib: You just learned that today? Have you never been on a plane?
Yorkeworshipper: Well, now I know what to do, if I want to maintain my weight, fly economic class.
lepusblanca: Goes to show; it’s easier for fat men to get and maintain high paying jobs than it is for fat women.
SuadiArabia: 100% believe this, even though I’m skeptical how they collect data on this?
cantwaitforthis: There is research I read a few years back that slightly overweight men (think pudgy or beer belly look) are more likely to be successful than the in shape guys. The reverse is true with women.
Sbatio: Nice.
chunky_charlie: “Money makes you fat.” -Muska
sir_whirly: >tfw 6’3′ and 250lbs but can only afford economy
TITANUP91: I fly a lot, I could’ve told you this without a study..
jasper_grunion: They should be able to tease out why this is true with a simple anonymous survey instead of just guessing.
Jackmack65: I flew 145,000 miles this year (howdy from the Denver airport,btw) and I can tell you that people sitting next to me are e-fucking-normous.
vdublub: As a fat guy I can confirm my preference for first class, unless I fly SWA then I get a free extra seat (well a refund after purchasing an extra seat).
andy9775: So to fly first class I should eat more junkfood? Brilliant!
Redbaron67: Trophy wives are a thing.
Joarthus: I would imagine that businessmen flying first class don’t have a ton of time to work out and focus on health.
For women, as much of a double standard as it is, being more attractive can help them sell things better, or make people respect/fear them more in a corporate setting. So this makes sense.
Imrhien: That’s because first class men can afford to be fat, while first class women can afford to be skinny 🤔
the_bass_saxophone: I’m reminded of your typical (stereotypical?) 30ish blue collar couple: hubs is employed in physical work, maybe ex-military, and not (yet) carrying much weight; wifey has had multiple kids early and is employed in office work, and much heavier.
OddAdviceGiver: Women of the upper class tend to smell better. Could be that they aren’t rolling in their own polyester-induced sweat from stressing to be on time, finding a place to park, waiting in line for boarding passes, checking in luggage, going through security, sitting with everyone on those god-awfullest gate, and jockeying to get a good position on the plane for carry-on space.
AND they probably are chillin sipping a mimosa with Prince Xanax if it’s delayed. I’m just sayin’.