Airline overweight passenger charges

[letthewookiewin]

I laughed at the comment to have him loose weight by January. If it were only that easy!

Well it's usually people that never had weight problems. If it was that easy, I wouldn't even bother asking a question on a public board where there are bound to be people that don't post to actually answer the question, but to insult people with weight issues b/c they are safe behind a user name and their computers. He even went as far as having lap band, but stop getting the fills b/c getting the fills hurt way too badly. Which is when he stopped losing weight.

 

[Samar]

OP, I would have your husband buy 2 seats. Why chance it?

I feel his pain and yours. Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy. I lost 100 lbs and then right back up after I had my 3rd kid. It. SUCKS.

 

[letthewookiewin]

OP, I would have your husband buy 2 seats. Why chance it?

I feel his pain and yours. Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy. I lost 100 lbs and then right back up after I had my 3rd kid. It. SUCKS.

Which is why I wanted to post the question here. I would rather go ahead and pay for it upfront, when we order the tickets.

Thank you, and it isn't at all. Mine isn't from over eating at all. My mom actually teases me and says that as much as I eat, I should be a little stick figure instead of wearing the size 20 jeans that I wear.

 

[Samar]

Which is why I wanted to post the question here. I would rather go ahead and pay for it upfront, when we order the tickets.

Thank you, and it isn't at all. Mine isn't from over eating at all. My mom actually teases me and says that as much as I eat, I should be a little stick figure instead of wearing the size 20 jeans that I wear.

I hear ya.

Well, good luck

 

[goofy4tink]

Either give helpful answers, or just refrain from posting. Less than helpful comments, bordering on hurtful, will not be tolerated.

 

[NHKristy76]

Either give helpful answers, or just refrain from posting. Less than helpful comments, bordering on hurtful, will not be tolerated.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm growing tired of the DISBOARDS because it seems like all I see is snarky comments on all sorts of topics. I'm so glad to see that you, as a Moderator, are trying to put a stop to at least some of it!

 

[ibob52]

my2cents ...

from what I have seen (TV) and heard (message boards)

you are so right in dealing with a second seat issue ... before hand.

Airlines (seats) are way past uncomfortable.

I dream of an empty/open middle seat ... ah the good old days.

Best of Luck and Hope for the future vacation.

 

[Butterbunkins]

OP, if you are just going to purchase two seats then your problem is solved.

I'm not two seats big, but I'm pooh sized and I'm more comfortable if the seat next to me is open. Though I'm sure people of all sizes feel this way. If the plane is full then there's nothing you can do, but in case it's not we always sit in the back of the plane. Most people sit as close to the front as possible so the seats in back are never as full. Also we will book window and aisle and leave the middle open. People will not sit in the middle unless they have to. If someone does, then we just switch one of our seats with them so we are still together and they are more than happy to do it.

It doesn't work every time, but I'm happy when it does!

 

[disneyfreak71]

I am 6'1, 370 lbs. I wear a 4xlt shirt and have really wide shoulders. I barely fit in between the arm rests. I mean barely. We usually fly SW and I sit on the aisle and if the flight isn't full my wife sits at the window. I lean in towards the middle seat and of course no one wants to sit there so we usually end up with the middle empty. If the plane is full or if we do not fly SW, I sit o the aisle and lean into it most of the flight so i do not go over into the seat next to mine. That being siad, if i was any bigger than I am I would need to buy the second seat.

I hope this helps out.

 

[kerplop]

I'm 5'11" and 370lbs (and losing!), but I'm buying 2 seats for our flight to WDW in November. We're flying Southwest, who has a refund policy if you buy two seats and they don't oversell a flight. I think some airlines are more lax on this policy, but most of them DO have it. So there's no way of knowing in advance if a flight attendant will require him to buy another. The options are to buy 2 and eat the difference (painful with flight prices) or to 1 buy seat and hope they just let him on. Personally the embarrassment isn't worth it to me, so I'm going ahead and buying 2 seats for our trip. I know you said you don't want to fly Southwest, but if money is a real concern I would look into it anyway because like I said they often refund that second seat's cost after the trip. Either way, best of luck and hope you have a great trip!

 

[Lewisc]

Buying a second seat with Southwest makes a lot of sense. Many (most) passengers wind up getting a refund. The OP won't be flying Southwest. Check whatever airline you'll be flying. Don't rely on an internet board or a CSR. Get the policy from the airline's website and print it. I don't think many other airlines refund the cost of the second seat.

Airlines with assigned seats might not care if you "spill over" to the seat occupied by your spouse. Southwest cares. No guarantee you'll be able to sit next to your spouse. Further Southwest says every passenger is entitled to their full seat.

Can you full fit in a standard movie theater seat? If so an airline seat should be OK.

Obviously losing weight is the preferable solution. Equally obvious you wouldn't be asking if you thought that was realistic.

 

[crashbb]

Here's the AA information:

So, if you book ahead of time, you pay for the second seat. It does seem, though, that if you risk it at the airport and there is an extra seat on your flight (that doesn't involve unseating another customer), you can get the extra seat without paying. Of course, if there isn't that extra seat, you'll have to take another flight. Based on their defintions, just sitting beside your child/partner doesn't exempt you, but I'm not sure that they'd enforce that.

For the safety and comfort of all customers, we have aligned our seating accommodation policies with other major airlines regarding customers who may require more than one seat because they are:
Unable to fit into a single seat in their ticketed cabin and/or
Unable to properly buckle their seatbelt using a single seatbelt extender (available upon request from a flight attendant) and/or
Unable to lower both armrests without encroaching upon the adjacent seating space or another customer.

Reservations
We encourage customers to address their seating needs when booking the original reservation. If you meet the above criteria, one of our Reservations representatives will ensure that you receive two adjacent seats at the same rate for each seat.

At the Airport
If you meet any of the above criteria and have not booked an extra seat in advance, please see an airport agent. If seats are available in your ticketed cabin, you may be accommodated in the same cabin next to an empty seat. The additional seating must be available without downgrading or unseating another customer. If time allows, and upon payment of the fare difference, you may be offered a seat in a higher class of service that may provide more space*.

If additional seating is not available, you may purchase a second adjacent seat on a different flight. The fare for the second seat will be the same as the original seat.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/extraSpace.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav

 

[LidoDeck]

Not trying to start an argument, but trying to understand... are you saying that you will only travel if the airline lets him use all of his seat and 1/2 of one another person has paid to sit in, thereby squishing said person in the seat they paid for.

I know someone this happened to ( it was kid and he was squooshed to the far edge of his seat for 5 hours)

how is that fair? why shouldn't someone that needs 2 seats have to pay for 2 seats?

Trying to understand your POV

I feel the same and would raise the devil if forced to sit beside someone who encroached upon my space. I want the armrest down and any neighbor to keep their entire body within their space.

I commend the airlines for enforcing this policy. Refunding the 2nd seat if plane is not full is very fair and reasonable.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I feel the same and would raise the devil if forced to sit beside someone who encroached upon my space. I want the armrest down and any neighbor to keep their entire body within their space.

According to FAA regulations, the arm rest must be down for take-off and landing. This rule does not appear to always be enforced.

 

[talulabelle]

I'm a 5'6" and 190 lbs woman. I just barely squeeze into an airplane seat with the arms down. I am sitting next to my own kids, and they are perfectly used to the fact I'm fat and don't care if I'm squishing them just a little - I would think your hubby definately needs 2 seats.

 

[twinklebug]

I feel the same and would raise the devil if forced to sit beside someone who encroached upon my space. I want the armrest down and any neighbor to keep their entire body within their space.

I commend the airlines for enforcing this policy. Refunding the 2nd seat if plane is not full is very fair and reasonable.

According to FAA regulations, the arm rest must be down for take-off and landing. This rule does not appear to always be enforced.

As long as that armrest lowers and elbows can be comfortably tucked into everyone's own seat I think only 1 seat is needed.

The problems I encounter are typically with men and they don't necessarily need to be overweight. Broad shoulders and big arms will always result in me developing a painful back from constant leaning to the side so that their body is not rubbing my own (adjacent, touching arms I can deal with, it's the inadvertent groping by bicep I don't care for) My 15 yo is 5'9 and only 130 lbs but I can see him needing an additional seat in the future as he grows as he'll have those broad shoulders I'm talking about. Note: some men have a clue and although broad will sit so their hands grasp their opposite elbows the entire trip. It looks so uncomfortable.

OP - call each airline you're interested in purchasing from and ask their policies. No name need be given. Also inquire if the purchase of an additional seat would be refunded if the plan isn't filled. As mentioned by another here: I'd think the earlier in the day the takeoff, the better the chance of empty seats on any flight and getting that refund if offered.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The problems I encounter are typically with men and they don't necessarily need to be overweight. Broad shoulders and big arms will always result in me developing a painful back from constant leaning to the side so that their body is not rubbing my own (adjacent, touching arms I can deal with, it's the inadvertent groping by bicep I don't care for) yo is 5'9 and only 130 lbs but I can see him needing an additional seat in the future as he grows as he'll have those broad shoulders I'm talking about. Note: some men have a clue and although broad will sit ao their hands grasp their opposite elbows the entire trip. It looks so uncomfortable.

OP - call each airline you're interested in purchasing from and ask their policies. No name need be given. Also inquire if the purchase of an additional seat would be refunded if the plan isn't filled. As mentioned by another here: I'd think the earlier in the day the takeoff, the better the chance of empty seats on any flight and getting that refund if offered.

+1 - I hate having a broad shouldered man taking up the upper portion of my seat with his shoulders. These guys almost always seem to hog the armrest too!

You don't need to call the airlines; they all state their customer of size policy on their web sites. I'd trust that more than the word of an often misinformed phone agent.

 

[Hannathy]

I really don't understand why if you are big you don't just buy the second seat when you book.

Why do you want to put some poor gate agent in an uncomfortable position, let alone an innocent stranger who has to either suffer for an entire flight or have to complain in front of you that you are infringing on their seat- a very awkward thing to have to voice in front of the person, and the poor FA who has to be in the uncomfortable position of having to confront you. Plus it can't be fun for you either to have to be confronted over this. And then having to either buy another seat on the spot or having to get off the plane!

And lets not beat around the bush, you know if you are big, just like I know I'm very short. It is what it is and it you didn't get up this morning to the surprise of being that size.

 

[disneychic2]

About the broad shouldered men...I once was squished into the far side of my seat b/c a Dallas football player took the seat next to me at the last minute (he had the super bowl ring to prove it!) He took up half my seat as well as putting his foot/leg under the seat in front of me! It was the longest 2 1/2 hours of my life! My sister is a flight attendant and she said he had been holding out to get an upgrade to first class and didn't get it.

OP, I'm glad you're asking the questions now since this must be a terribly sensitive subject for your DH. Hope you find a solution that fits your budget and you are able to make your trip! Too bad the second seat couldn't be purchased at a discount. Good luck to you!

 

[TavieP]

Which is why I wanted to post the question here. I would rather go ahead and pay for it upfront, when we order the tickets.

Thank you, and it isn't at all. Mine isn't from over eating at all. My mom actually teases me and says that as much as I eat, I should be a little stick figure instead of wearing the size 20 jeans that I wear.

Total sympathy for your husband! I'm an 18/20 jeans myself and just barely ride without pain. My BFF who sat next to me on the flight down here is a 4X and has her own extender she travels with and I'm always worried airlines will give her trouble. Luckily when we fly together there's no chance of a passenger complaining because I always take the seat next to her (and next to the "stranger" if necessary.) I hate contorting myself on flights... ugh.

I would check the flights you're interested in and go to the website for each airline to read their policy before deciding what to purchase. I did that for the flight down here and learned that Delta does NOT require passengers to buy a second seat, but does reserve the right to move them to another seat or even another flight if necessary.