The Pacific national airline is creating a wider row on its aircrafts for passengers who weigh more than 286 pounds 130 kilograms. Samoa has one of the worlds highest rates of obesity.

The airline’s head, Chris Langton, said the XL row would be extended by 12 to 14 inches and the changes would be introduced by the end of the week.

“Once youre up around that sort of [weight] … a traditional seat on any airline is going to be uncomfortable,” he told ABC News.

“Quite often the access is difficult, and even the space between the seats is enough that even when youve squeezed into the seats theres no room for your legs. Thats where the XL has come in – we do it with shirts and clothing and other things where we have different standard sizes.”

Passengers on Samoa Air do not pay for a seat but pay a fixed price per kilogram, which varies according to the length of the route. The passengers nominate their weight and are then measured, along with their baggage, on scales at the airport. The rates range from about $1 64p a kilogram on the airlines shortest domestic route to about $4.16 per kilogram for travel from Samoa to the neighbouring nation of American Samoa.

Samoa Air introduces XL class for larger passengers – Telegraph