3rd Seat with Southwest

[Mommb]

Now, see, I just don't get that. If someone is willing to pay for a second seat, it's not like the airlines is losing any money on the sale.

I wonder if Southwest is reluctant to sell extra seats (to people who do not need the seat due to space issues) because their planes don’t have assigned seating. If someone on board during general boarding says “You can’t sit here because I bought this extra seat” it may be difficult for flight attendants to quickly verify whether that is true if there is no apparent reason for the extra seat.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Now, see, I just don't get that. If someone is willing to pay for a second seat, it's not like the airlines is losing any money on the sale.

I could not agree more, but they were consistent with the message over several phone calls, and would not budge from their policy. So we respected their decision and took our business elsewhere - for now.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I wonder if Southwest is reluctant to sell extra seats (to people who do not need the seat due to space issues) because their planes don’t have assigned seating. If someone on board during general boarding says “You can’t sit here because I bought this extra seat” it may be difficult for flight attendants to quickly verify whether that is true if there is no apparent reason for the extra seat.

That's kinda the only reason we could come up with. Although, if a person 'of size' buys 2 seats, they'd have a similar situation. I hypothesize they just don't think it's worth one more hassle for the flight attendants during a time they're dealing with many hassles. When we did it the one time on United, we had an actual assigned seat - so nothing for flight attendants to deal with. I expect your comment is probably correct.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

it may be difficult for flight attendants to quickly verify whether that is true if there is no apparent reason for the extra seat.

How about if you have a ticket for two seats? Including the fact that you checked in for two seats? I suppose that it could be argued that flight attendants don't know all the ticketing formats, but that's fixable.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Now, see, I just don't get that. If someone is willing to pay for a second seat, it's not like the airlines is losing any money on the sale.

That's kinda the only reason we could come up with. Although, if a person 'of size' buys 2 seats, they'd have a similar situation. I hypothesize they just don't think it's worth one more hassle for the flight attendants during a time they're dealing with many hassles. When we did it the one time on United, we had an actual assigned seat - so nothing for flight attendants to deal with. I expect your comment is probably correct.

How about if you have a ticket for two seats? Including the fact that you checked in for two seats? I suppose that it could be argued that flight attendants don't know all the ticketing formats, but that's fixable.

Customers of size who purchase an additional seat will have a "reserved" sign they can place (at least according to online) in the seat next to them.

Understand SWA presently is the airline that does not have assigned seats. Most people who fly SWA enough are completely fine with this. It's not the airline, presently, to fly when you just want the seat next to you to be empty. It's not about willing to purchase it's about the open seating policy, presently that is, being a fundamental part of SWA's policy. No sense in knocking SWA for that

 

[JWelch62]

This might sound stupid, but how do I even do that? I've only been on a flight a handful of times in my life, this is the first time I've had to arrange the flights and prior flights have always been Southwest so I have no clue what I'm doing or how to figure out what other airlines might be leaving Phoenix to go to MCO.

Check on flight.google.com

Just plug in your departure and arrival airports, tell it round trip or one way, and provide your travel dates. It will give a fairly complete list of available flights.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Customers of size who purchase an additional seat will have a "reserved" sign they can place (at least according to online) in the seat next to them.

Understand SWA presently is the airline that does not have assigned seats. Most people who fly SWA enough are completely fine with this. It's not the airline, presently, to fly when you just want the seat next to you to be empty. It's not about willing to purchase it's about the open seating policy, presently that is, being a fundamental part of SWA's policy. No sense in knocking SWA for that

We've flown SW for more years than I care to count and I fully understand and support their open seating policy. But when we called, we didn't see any difference between people of 'size' buying an empty seat or people who were concerned about sitting with a stranger for a 3-hour flight. It seems like something they could have easily done, but chose through their policies to not do it. Since selling an extra seat to people concerned about safety made money for SW (unless it was a completely sold out flight, which didn't happen very often in 2020 or 2021), it was just an interesting decision they made. They probably lost money on it. And I don't think the open seating policy itself is the reason - like you said, a 'reserved' sign works very easy. But they probably just didn't want to deal with the hassle. Maybe they had concerns too many people would do it and it would be chaos! But whatever - not knocking SW, just disagreeing with their approach - and we did all we could do. We asked, they said 'no', and we've flown with someone else since. It was a simple choice for us, too, after we understood their decision.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But when we called, we didn't see any difference between people of 'size' buying an empty seat or people who were concerned about sitting with a stranger for a 3-hour flight. It seems like something they could have easily done, but chose through their policies to not do it.

If you've flown SWA enough times you know their policy. How do you not get, and I say this respectively, that by allowing the general public the ability to reserve a seat next to them it goes completely against the open seating policy? This seems like a no-brainer. Customers of size are considered exceptions (and on a human level I whole-heartedly stand behind) and on this thread we really don't need to debate "if they can why can't I" (at least IMO).

They've chosen not to do it because it go against their open seating policy which would defeat the purpose of it. I have said presently in my prior comments because I do know there is a new fare class that will be introduced this year and the new CEO can make changes to things. But how it works and how it's always worked is they are an open seating airline.

I said knocking the airline because you and another poster discussed it as it should be easy, well yeah, but it's a fundamental part (presently) to the entire airline. 2 checked bags for free and an open seating policy are two of the major components to SWA.

Anywho kinda not really the right thread for this given the OP's initial question.

 

[SnowWhite2]

Just be aware that the first seats on Southwest with the extra leg room have "sides" between the arm and the seat. In a normal seat you can "spill over" into the next seat. On the first row, each seat is contained to the seat cushion width until you get above the arm rest. That may make it uncomforable for you if you buy an extra seat for size. The arm rests for all of the other seats go up so you can have the extra room with a 2nd seat.

 

[cmph]

This might sound stupid, but how do I even do that? I've only been on a flight a handful of times in my life, this is the first time I've had to arrange the flights and prior flights have always been Southwest so I have no clue what I'm doing or how to figure out what other airlines might be leaving Phoenix to go to MCO.

I fly roughly half SW and half American out of Phoenix, skewing toward American in the last few years. There aren't any other airlines that will have as many options out of here. It used to be that SW won for price, schedule, and options far more often than not, but those days are gone. I prefer American and get main cabin extra when possible now. You get a good deal more leg room, and frankly, I'd rather pay for that than the possibility of a high A boarding number on SW. You choose your seats at booking, and main cabin extra costs more (variable amount, even per leg if you book round trip). Of course, flight fares are kind of unpredictable lately, and I'm not sure when you are flying, but I would price check American if I were you. I have actually had pretty good luck with the American customer service reps handling complicated issues - booking with bereavement rates, booking unaccompanied minors, linking what looks like unaccompanied minors to my reservations booked with points, you name it. I am not familiar with their customers of size policies, though. Hope the rest helps.

 

[mousefan73]

Just be aware that the first seats on Southwest with the extra leg room have "sides" between the arm and the seat. In a normal seat you can "spill over" into the next seat. On the first row, each seat is contained to the seat cushion width until you get above the arm rest. That may make it uncomforable for you if you buy an extra seat for size. The arm rests for all of the other seats go up so you can have the extra room with a 2nd seat.

This is true because these seats usually have the table tray in the armrest. And that takes up space. Depending on the body size your sacrificing width For leg space. People need to realize this when they look at Seat maps that even though you’re in bulkhead and have more legroom you lose a fraction of your seat size which for many people who are bottom heavy like myself is very noticeable. If you’re a tall thin guy like basketball player you’re not gonna notice but will noticed additional legroom.

 

[katmigordon]

Actually your timing is digital, I was just looking over the possibility of American First Class.

I fly roughly half SW and half American out of Phoenix, skewing toward American in the last few years. There aren't any other airlines that will have as many options out of here. It used to be that SW won for price, schedule, and options far more often than not, but those days are gone. I prefer American and get main cabin extra when possible now. You get a good deal more leg room, and frankly, I'd rather pay for that than the possibility of a high A boarding number on SW. You choose your seats at booking, and main cabin extra costs more (variable amount, even per leg if you book round trip). Of course, flight fares are kind of unpredictable lately, and I'm not sure when you are flying, but I would price check American if I were you. I have actually had pretty good luck with the American customer service reps handling complicated issues - booking with bereavement rates, booking unaccompanied minors, linking what looks like unaccompanied minors to my reservations booked with points, you name it. I am not familiar with their customers of size policies, though. Hope the rest helps.

 

[SirDuff]

Just be aware that the first seats on Southwest with the extra leg room have "sides" between the arm and the seat. In a normal seat you can "spill over" into the next seat. On the first row, each seat is contained to the seat cushion width until you get above the arm rest. That may make it uncomforable for you if you buy an extra seat for size. The arm rests for all of the other seats go up so you can have the extra room with a 2nd seat.

Right. It wouldn't make sense to say that you need the second seat for size and then take the first row where you cannot "encroach" on the extra seat.

 

[katmigordon]

I mean in the end I get a larger seat not for my comfort, but for the comfort of those around me. But yeah, we're going with American Airlines First Class.

Right. It wouldn't make sense to say that you need the second seat for size and then take the first row where you cannot "encroach" on the extra seat.

 

[auntlynne]

I mean in the end I get a larger seat not for my comfort, but for the comfort of those around me. But yeah, we're going with American Airlines First Class.

Do you know which type of plane you will be flying? I flew on a new plane with the cubicles and found them to be a bit of a squeeze, compared to the traditional wide seats of first class. Hoping you have gotten comfortable accommodations.

 

[katmigordon]

I youtubed the plane we're supposed to be on and happy to report no cubicles! =)

Do you know which type of plane you will be flying? I flew on a new plane with the cubicles and found them to be a bit of a squeeze, compared to the traditional wide seats of first class. Hoping you have gotten comfortable accommodations.

 

[mousefan73]

Right. It wouldn't make sense to say that you need the second seat for size and then take the first row where you cannot "encroach" on the extra seat.

Encroaching is not the right term here, for many people they simply will not FIT in that seat. Those seats are made for normal shaped bottom people. Putting it bluntly, if you have a large butt, it will be painful and you will be stuck if you even get your bottom in there. I have seen people who had to be moved.

 

[MomOTwins]

Just to add from experience, I was on a flight recently as a solo traveler, and I signed in the second 24 hour mark hit and still with my fairly good boarding group number (low “B”group) there were only middle seats available—no two seats together much less an entire row. Reason for this is southwest lets certain preferred status folks board first, plus families with small kids can board between A and B groups. As it was a flight to Orlando, everyone did family boarding, and after the plane was pretty much full. So Southwest can sell you three seats, but if by the time you board there are no 3 seats together you’ll be out if luck. Which is likely why they don’t do it. Now for people who physically need two seats, they likely board first in the “customers needing special assistance” category, but just buying 3 regular tickets doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get a while row of 3 seats.

 

[SirDuff]

Encroaching is not the right term here, for many people they simply will not FIT in that seat. Those seats are made for normal shaped bottom people. Putting it bluntly, if you have a large butt, it will be painful and you will be stuck if you even get your bottom in there. I have seen people who had to be moved.

Yes, that’s why I put it in quotes (I was struggling with a word - maybe « use » would have been better).. I meant, as you explained, that if you need an extra seat due to size, you’re unlikely to fit (at least comfortably) in the seats in the first row.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Reason for this is southwest lets certain preferred status folks board first, plus families with small kids can board between A and B groups.

Not quite.

It's pre-boarders who need assistance (that would include the OP), then A1-A15 which is Business Select and despite the name anyone can purchase these although there are of course only 15 of these per flight. You can however purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate which for a nominal fee that varies per flight (usually $20-40 or so sometimes up to $60) you can purchase a Boarding Position in that A1-A15 should there be any left.

Then you have A16-30, then A31-60. After that it's A-Listers (regular and preferred) who did NOT get an A Boarding group I can only guess that is the preferred status folks you're talking about but even being an A-lister does NOT guarantee A-Boarding group. During the pandemic SWA did enhance the A-List by allowing those booked on the same confirmation number as the A-lister to board with the A-lister (they usually do it now by just assigning consequential Boarding positions like A24 and A25) however if you aren't on the same confirmation number that benefit shouldn't apply (that means those who have a Companion pass will not be boarding with their A-lister unless they are also an A-lister themselves as Companion passes have to be booked separately). That added benefit however can def. add more people boarding the plane earlier on than before.

Then you have active military and Family Boarding (allows for 2 adults with a child 6 and younger). It's been reported that especially to/from Orlando Family Boarding has a higher chance of being suspended because of the sheer amount of kids on that route but it certainly occurs often enough.

Then you have B1-30, then B31-60, then finally C1-30 and C31-C60.

Purchasing Early Bird Check-In (EBCI) automatically assigns a Boarding position at 36 hours in advance but is behind A-Listers who are also assigned at 36 hours in advance. Those who purchase Anytime Fares with EBCI are given priority over those who purchase WGA with EBCI. It's easy and complicated at the same time. EBCI should not be looked at in a preferred status way. It's something someone can do just 1 time or every time, up to them.

You're def. right about trying to locate seats all together and it's usually a question that comes up time and time again about people flying with their children. There is a dedicated SWA thread that has chronicled this over the years.