Airline overweight passenger charges

[Hannathy]

I was also wondering what happens if there are no extra seats on the plane and a passenger is asked to buy one after they get on. Are they simply kicked off at that point? And, if there are stand-by passengers in the gate area, do they try to sell that seat to someone else at the last second?

Why wouldn't they let a stand by on if there is an open seat? "you" need 2 there aren't 2 but there is one and if John Doe standby is a party of 1 why wouldn't the let him on? Same as if there were 3 people on the standby list and 1 seat,, they would offer it to the first on the list but if they said "oh me and 2 have to go together" then they would move down the list to the first single that wanted it.

And yes they would be asked to get off the plane, if they need 2 and only 1 is available.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

After reading this thread I felt sympathy for the super sized passengers and for the guest next to larger passenger.

I have been seated next to some of the most fun travelers that were over on my seat. I know I was uncomfortable as much as they were. I have been known to ask to place the arm rest up so they have a bit more room. Yes so they can sit a bit on MY side. LOL I guess tech I did rent a seat to get me from point A to point B but no where did they guarantee me it was going to be the comforts of home. Super sized guests seem to be very kind and most go out of their way to make sure your flight is comfortable and that they are not making the trip unbearable for the person seated next to them.

My husband and I rode 1st class while we placed our daughter and her bf in coach. They are just kids (12) so did not take up much room. When we got their boarding passes we niced there was a seat between them. ( Thought airline did that to keep the seat open so girls would have two of the three seats in that row. Nope airline places the sweetest grannie in middle of girls. Yes it was a super sized grandma that ened up silling her juice, left crumbs, and actually did take her portion of seat out of the middle. Grannie was so nice Daughters BF hardly felt bab about having wet jeans most of flight.

I also need to say that I have had small kids 3-7 as seat mates with mommie and or daddy. I find these to be the travlers that could use a few manners when traveling. Please if you are going to have your child/children take a nap while traveling -- please make sure their feet are clean and not smelly before you gather said feet up and place on my lap while you are placing childs head on your lap. I have to admit I have a greater issue with this happening then with an elbow om "my side".

Take the time to ask the airline staff if you can move to a seat that only has one person in a row of 3 seats. I have never had them say no. One more thing if you are in a row with 3 seats but the air line has you sitting next to each other -go ahead and move to the empty seat on other side leaving an empty seat in middle. I never understand whey people will not do that. I understand if they are traveling together but even then I would just for extra room.

No flames about the child part. I have a daguther that travled from a very early age. I never placed her feet in someone elses lap. Again No flames.

 

[seashoreCM]

[ -- please make sure their feet are clean and not smelly before you gather said feet up and place on my lap while you are placing childs head on your lap. I have to admit I have a greater issue with this happening then with an elbow om "my side". ]

OT: I would rather have his head.

I guess tech I did rent a seat to get me from point A to point B but no where did they guarantee me it was going to be the comforts of home.

I don't expect the comforts of home but someone sitting on my leg or an elbow in my side (ribs) is unacceptable and the airline staff is certainly capable of fixing it. Also, unwanted touching is assault and the airline can be an accomplice.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I really need to go back and catch up on this thread. My DH wouldn't let me touch FB or the DIS for several days b/c he thinks I spend more time on those sites than with him. Since he works so hard, I thought it was a fair request.

To those that truly answered my questions, thank you in advance of me reading your response. My main reason for asking this question was to find out if we would have to pay for a 2nd seat for him when we booked. Honestly, with the new security rules, I didn't think we could have 2 seats in one person's name. I didn't want to wait until we got to the gate to pay for it, in case the flight was booked. Then there would be someone next us that could be made uncomfortable by us not purchasing a 2nd seat for him in advance.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I hope I answer your question -- that you originally asked.

Yes, you will need to purchase an extra seat on some airlines even if there are seats not purchased. Most airlines now have the 3 3 config in the main cabin. Having a passenger seated in the exit row that is extremely overweight can and more then likely would be an issue should there be a need to exit plane quickly. Most over weight passengers like to sit in the isle seats thus giving them technically more room with only need to "touch" one other passenger. Airline crew hate this as it makes getting the beverage cart up and back the isle an issue.

Taking that into consideration when booking flight -- hold your flight for 24 hours before you purchase this will give you time to contact the airline to see how they would handle this. Talk with a supervisior as first person you come into contact with on phone will not have means to give you a final say. Try to get in writting if they will actually not make you purchase a second seat. (Would be nice if say there are two people traveling that need extra seat to seat them together and each pay half).

It is more then likey going to be lots more money to book an extra seat at airport if needed so as you are looking to save I would get rxtra seat at time of original booking. You may think about seating your husband in first class. May even be less money then buying two seats.

So nice of your husband to want to spend time with you. I might have told my husband you are right we need to spend more time together-- get your coat on we are going out for dinner every night the next week. We can talk away while having dinners. No flames Just being me.

 

[vacationclub]

Why wouldn't they let a stand by on if there is an open seat?

I don't know. That's why I asked the person who works seems for the airlines.

"you" need 2 there aren't 2 but there is one and if John Doe standby is a party of 1 why wouldn't the let him on?

I'm not sure why you think "I" need 2; I can assure you I don't. But I still don't know the answer to your hypothetical question.

Same as if there were 3 people on the standby list and 1 seat,, they would offer it to the first on the list but if they said "oh me and 2 have to go together" then they would move down the list to the first single that wanted it.

Thanks, but I wasn't asking about how standby works, I already know that.

My question was more to the nature of how late in the actual boarding process the standby people can get booked. If the flight is full, and everyone has checked in, and they begin boarding, even getting most of the way through boarding, putting everyone on, do they then go back and look for standbys after they kicked someone off off the plane, or does that take too long at that point? My question was aimed at the person who seems to work for the airlines.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm not sure why you think "I" need 2; I can assure you I don't. But I still don't know the answer to your hypothetical question.

That is why I put you in quotes! I was using you as in the hypothetical situation not as you personally.


I don't work for the airlines but in my experience until the door closes they will take standbys. So if the person needing 2 seats leave the plane and a standby is right there at the gate they will put them on.

 

[aubriee]

That is why I put you in quotes! I was using you as in the hypothetical situation not as you personally.


I don't work for the airlines but in my experience until the door closes they will take standbys. So if the person needing 2 seats leave the plane and a standby is right there at the gate they will put them on.

True! Totally different situation, but a couple of years ago I was waiting to board an Air Tran plane home from MCO. It was the last flight of the night, the flight was overbooked and they were begging for people to take compensation in exchange for flying out the next day. The compensation got up to like two free r/t tickets to anywhere Air Tran flies, a night in a hotel, and food vouchers. Being the last flight out that night, only a couple of people took the compensation, but there were still people who had bought tickets that couldn't get on that flight. Once we boarded the pilot came over the speaker saying there was a family of three who had to make a connection for an international flight home and the plane was not leaving until three people gave their seats up. At first everyone started complaining, saying it wasn't fair and was blackmail, but finally three solo travelers (in different parts of the plane got up). What was bad was that when the family finally got on (two adult males and one adult female of Arab descent), one of the men threw a fit and demanded that they be given seats together as his wife must be seated between them, as she could not sit next to another man. Everyone yelled out, "You've got to be kidding. You hold up this entire flight then make a demand like that". Everyone was furious. Even the FAs looked angry and disgusted and told him take their seats immediately or get off the plane, that all of us had been held up long enough and they were sitting wherever someone had been nice enough to give up a seat for them. The man continued to argue that people be moved around so they could all sit together until the pilot finally came over the speaker with the announcement to get them seated quickly or get them off the plane. Anyway, our flight was held up due to late boarders.

 

[vacationclub]

True! Totally different situation, but a couple of years ago I was waiting to board an Air Tran plane home from MCO. It was the last flight of the night, the flight was overbooked and they were begging for people to take compensation in exchange for flying out the next day. The compensation got up to like two free r/t tickets to anywhere Air Tran flies, a night in a hotel, and food vouchers. Being the last flight out that night, only a couple of people took the compensation, but there were still people who had bought tickets that couldn't get on that flight. Once we boarded the pilot came over the speaker saying there was a family of three who had to make a connection for an international flight home and the plane was not leaving until three people gave their seats up. At first everyone started complaining, saying it wasn't fair and was blackmail, but finally three solo travelers (in different parts of the plane got up). What was bad was that when the family finally got on (two adult males and one adult female of Arab descent), one of the men threw a fit and demanded that they be given seats together as his wife must be seated between them, as she could not sit next to another man. Everyone yelled out, "You've got to be kidding. You hold up this entire flight then make a demand like that". Everyone was furious. Even the FAs looked angry and disgusted and told him take their seats immediately or get off the plane, that all of us had been held up long enough and they were sitting wherever someone had been nice enough to give up a seat for them. The man continued to argue that people be moved around so they could all sit together until the pilot finally came over the speaker with the announcement to get them seated quickly or get them off the plane. Anyway, our flight was held up due to late boarders.

You never finished the story. Did the guy and his family give in and sit separated or did the pilot kick them off?

 

[aubriee]

You never finished the story. Did the guy and his family give in and sit separated or did the pilot kick them off?

One of the seats that another passenger gave up was a window seat with a female in the middle seat. After checking out all three seats, the husband told his wife to sit there, but he still wasn't happy about them being separated.

 

[Maleficent53]

I don't know. That's why I asked the person who works seems for the airlines.

My question was more to the nature of how late in the actual boarding process the standby people can get booked. If the flight is full, and everyone has checked in, and they begin boarding, even getting most of the way through boarding, putting everyone on, do they then go back and look for standbys after they kicked someone off off the plane, or does that take too long at that point? My question was aimed at the person who seems to work for the airlines.

I don't work for the airlines but in my experience until the door closes they will take standbys. So if the person needing 2 seats leave the plane and a standby is right there at the gate they will put them on.

I can only speak for Delta - not other airlines - regarding how they handle "standbys". First, let me clarify what a standby is to us.......we are not selling a ticket at the gate to someone who just walked up and wants to get on. That does not happen. A standby at the gate can be one of several situations --
1. a ticketed passenger who missed an earlier flight due to late checkin or late arriving flight
2. a ticketed passenger with frequent flyer elite status (they fly ALOT of miles on our airline) who is booked on a later flight and wants to go out earlier
3. an airline employee using their travel privilege (boarding after all confirmed passengers are seated and only if a seat is still available. Believe me, many times we are left sitting in the airport watching the airplane leave full.)

Standbys can be boarded up until the time the door closes. Many times we are waiting to see if a confirmed passenger is going to show up. We will wait until the last possible time to give that person a chance to board (for us to get flt out on time) - then release that person's confirmed seat and send a standby passenger on to fill that empty seat.

By the way, I just had a flight 2 days ago that a woman (not overweight) had 3 seats purchased for her personal use. She was, of course, given 3 seats together. It was a full flight where standby passengers were waiting to get on, but the flight left with 2 empty seats - because she had paid for them and they were HER seats!

My comment would be - if you need extra space on an airplane - no matter which carrier it is - if you cannot sit comfortably in one seat WITH THE ARMRESTS DOWN - or if you personally cannot abide touching a stranger - then you need to purchase an extra seat. Do it when you buy your original ticket and you will find your travel day to be less stressful. Please don't expect to have an empty seat next to you just because you come up and ask (very nicely, I hope). Also, several posters mentioned you should be put in first class because the seats there are bigger. Not going to happen!

 

[smidgy]

One of the seats that another passenger gave up was a window seat with a female in the middle seat. After checking out all three seats, the husband told his wife to sit there, but he still wasn't happy about them being separated.

wow, just wow. sometime hubby and I switch seats during the flight. (take turns for the aisle seat,window seat, whatever).. I wonder what would have happened if this occurred. if this husband would try to dictate to someone else where they are allowed to switch.

 

[KrazeeK120]

True! Totally different situation, but a couple of years ago I was waiting to board an Air Tran plane home from MCO. It was the last flight of the night, the flight was overbooked and they were begging for people to take compensation in exchange for flying out the next day. The compensation got up to like two free r/t tickets to anywhere Air Tran flies, a night in a hotel, and food vouchers. Being the last flight out that night, only a couple of people took the compensation, but there were still people who had bought tickets that couldn't get on that flight. Once we boarded the pilot came over the speaker saying there was a family of three who had to make a connection for an international flight home and the plane was not leaving until three people gave their seats up. At first everyone started complaining, saying it wasn't fair and was blackmail, but finally three solo travelers (in different parts of the plane got up). What was bad was that when the family finally got on (two adult males and one adult female of Arab descent), one of the men threw a fit and demanded that they be given seats together as his wife must be seated between them, as she could not sit next to another man. Everyone yelled out, "You've got to be kidding. You hold up this entire flight then make a demand like that". Everyone was furious. Even the FAs looked angry and disgusted and told him take their seats immediately or get off the plane, that all of us had been held up long enough and they were sitting wherever someone had been nice enough to give up a seat for them. The man continued to argue that people be moved around so they could all sit together until the pilot finally came over the speaker with the announcement to get them seated quickly or get them off the plane. Anyway, our flight was held up due to late boarders.

I don't fly often (4 times total in my 29 years of life), so please forgive me for sounding like a dummy here!

How does a flight get overbooked? Or maybe the better question is, why would an airline sell more seats on a plane than they actually have? I would have to think that the occurrence of no-shows on flights is rather small (but maybe I'm wrong about that too).

Also, is there any way to guarantee that I will be on a flight for which I have purchased a ticket? I am thinking of traveling alone for the first time in the spring to go see some friends on the east coast and now I'm nervous.

 

[vacationclub]

I don't fly often (4 times total in my 29 years of life), so please forgive me for sounding like a dummy here!

How does a flight get overbooked? Or maybe the better question is, why would an airline sell more seats on a plane than they actually have? I would have to think that the occurrence of no-shows on flights is rather small (but maybe I'm wrong about that too).

Also, is there any way to guarantee that I will be on a flight for which I have purchased a ticket? I am thinking of traveling alone for the first time in the spring to go see some friends on the east coast and now I'm nervous.

They overbook on purpose, to make more money. Imagine that. They play the odds by hoping a certain number of passengers will either not show up, or change to another flight. Instead of them having a plane with a few empty seats (even though they are paid for) or a few extra change fees, or perhaps an empty seat created because they caused it by not getting someone to their connection on time, they try to make even more than simply selling every seat.

They realize they can do this based on statistics. The problem is, every so often everyone decides to show up! Then, they have to figure out a way to bribe people off the plane. These bribes clearly cost the airlines less than the amount they make by "double dipping", or selling the same seat twice.

For example, one time I took a trip to NYC paid for by the client. Client decided to drive back home, so instead of waiting 6 hours for the return flight I rode in the car to get home quicker. I never showed up for the flight (even though I checked in for it). If they oversold the plane....guess what...they kept my (clients) money and the money of the person who got my seat. Double dip.

You can help to ensure you're not bumped from an oversold flight by checking in early and sticking to your guns if they pressure you to get off....which they may do if you are a single traveler. My wife was once called up to the desk because they saw she was travelling alone (to meet me). She declined. I travel solo a lot and have never been asked to re-schedule but often hear the announcements for volunteers, sometimes continuing right into the boarding process. Then it can get ugly. But by that time they've usually sweetened the offer so much that somebody gives in.

Also, if you have a seat assignment you may be safer (not sure about that though). Those with no seat assignment may be easier to deny boarding.

 

[aubriee]

My comment would be - if you need extra space on an airplane - no matter which carrier it is - if you cannot sit comfortably in one seat WITH THE ARMRESTS DOWN - or if you personally cannot abide touching a stranger - then you need to purchase an extra seat. Do it when you buy your original ticket and you will find your travel day to be less stressful. Please don't expect to have an empty seat next to you just because you come up and ask (very nicely, I hope). Also several posters metnioned you should be put in first class because the seats there are bigger. Not going to happen!

Excuse me but I personally saw this happen last fall on an Air Tran flight. In fact, I posted about it here on the DIS when I came back from that trip. I like aisle seats close to the front, so have no problem paying for those $15.00 seats that I need. That particular trip I was in the aisle seat and another lady was in the window seat. Both of us was slightly pooh size, but easily fit in our seats without spilling over. The plane was just about filled, when we looked at each other, laughed and said it looked like we may luck out and have the middle seat free. About that time this really large man (well over 350lbs, and probably closer to 400lbs) came walking sideways up the aisle looking for his seat. Even walking sideways he was having a hard time squeezing up the aisle. As he got to our row, he laughed, said "Oh no this is not going to work, lets just lift these arm rests up where we can all be comfortable". Immediately the other lady and I both grabbed the arm rests and said "No!" The FA saw the situation and came over. The man acted like he was angry, said it was obvious there was no way he was going to fit comfortably in that middle seat, and insisted that she "make" us raise the arm rests. Instead she upgraded him to a seat in first class. Once we got home and were waiting for our checked bags at baggage claim, it just so happened that I was standing next to the lady I had sat next to on the plane. The man came up, laughed, and told us thank you for our knee jerk reaction of grabbing those arm rests. He said that almost every time he flies, people have that same reaction, no one wants to sit next to him, and so he gets a free upgrade to first class. We asked him if he ever had to pay for two seats or was ever kicked off the plane and he said never, by Air Tran. They always pretty much move him to first class or else move him to two seats.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can only speak for Delta - not other airlines - regarding how they handle "standbys". First, let me clarify what a standby is to us.......we are not selling a ticket at the gate to someone who just walked up and wants to get on. That does not happen. A standby at the gate can be one of several situations --
1. a ticketed passenger who missed an earlier flight due to late checkin or late arriving flight
2. a ticketed passenger with frequent flyer elite status (they fly ALOT of miles on our airline) who is booked on a later flight and wants to go out earlier
3. an airline employee using their travel privilege (boarding after all confirmed passengers are seated and only if a seat is still available. Believe me, many times we are left sitting in the airport watching the airplane leave full.)

Standbys can be boarded up until the time the door closes. Many times we are waiting to see if a confirmed passenger is going to show up. We will wait until the last possible time to give that person a chance to board (for us to get flt out on time) - then release that person's confirmed seat and send a standby passenger on to fill that empty seat.

By the way, I just had a flight 2 days ago that a woman (not overweight) had 3 seats purchased for her personal use. She was, of course, given 3 seats together. It was a full flight where standby passengers were waiting to get on, but the flight left with 2 empty seats - because she had paid for them and they were HER seats!

My comment would be - if you need extra space on an airplane - no matter which carrier it is - if you cannot sit comfortably in one seat WITH THE ARMRESTS DOWN - or if you personally cannot abide touching a stranger - then you need to purchase an extra seat. Do it when you buy your original ticket and you will find your travel day to be less stressful. Please don't expect to have an empty seat next to you just because you come up and ask (very nicely, I hope). Also, several posters mentioned you should be put in first class because the seats there are bigger. Not going to happen!

I know that I've been told that people buy more than one seat for themselves...and some here have just not believed me. Thanks for the confirmation!!

Excuse me but I personally saw this happen last fall on an Air Tran flight. In fact, I posted about it here on the DIS when I came back from that trip. I like aisle seats close to the front, so have no problem paying for those $15.00 seats that I need. That particular trip I was in the aisle seat and another lady was in the window seat. Both of us was slightly pooh size, but easily fit in our seats without spilling over. The plane was just about filled, when we looked at each other, laughed and said it looked like we may luck out and have the middle seat free. About that time this really large man (well over 350lbs, and probably closer to 400lbs) came walking sideways up the aisle looking for his seat. Even walking sideways he was having a hard time squeezing up the aisle. As he got to our row, he laughed, said "Oh no this is not going to work, lets just lift these arm rests up where we can all be comfortable". Immediately the other lady and I both grabbed the arm rests and said "No!" The FA saw the situation and came over. The man acted like he was angry, said it was obvious there was no way he was going to fit comfortably in that middles seat, and insisted that she "make" us raise the arm rests. Instead she upgraded him to a seat in first class. Once we got home and were waiting for our checked bags at baggage claim, it just so happened that I was standing next to the lady I had sat next to on the plane. The man came up, laughed, and told us thank you for our knee jerk reaction of grabbing those arm rests. He said that almost every time he flies, people have that same reaction, no one wants to sit next to him, and so he gets a free upgrade to first class. We asked him if he ever had to pay for two seats or was ever kicked off the plane and he said never, by Air Tran. They always pretty much move him to first class or else move him to two seats.

I would think it would have been better to seat the late arrival to a regular seat and then give the moved person a seat in first class. It would seem to me that the airline is now rewarding a large person's late arrival. He probably does this on purpose every time he flies..that way he gets moved to first class!!! Kinda wrong.

 

[seashoreCM]

...this really large man (well over 350lbs, and probably closer to 400lbs) came walking sideways up the aisle looking for his seat. ... He said that almost every time he flies, people have that same reaction, no one wants to sit next to him, and so he gets a free upgrade to first class. We asked him if he ever had to pay for two seats or was ever kicked off the plane and he said never, by Air Tran. They always pretty much move him to first class or else move him to two seats

Sooner or later it will backfire, there might be no extra empty seats, first class or otherwise.

If the airline chooses to ask for volunteers to free up a second seat for a larger person, that is the airline's right (prerogative).

Hmmm. Maybe that person or his company does a lot of business with that airline. Or maybe he checked some baggage that would have to be pulled back out if he were taken off the flight.

 

[vacationclub]

Sooner or later it will backfire, there might be no extra empty seats, first class or otherwise.

Agreed. I think AT is simply doing the easiest thing to get the plane off the ground. If this big person is getting some benefit from that, then I guess he's found a way to work the system a bit, but at some point he'll be bumped. When AT gets gobbled away by SW, there will be no more First Class anyway.

Hmmm. Maybe that person or his company does a lot of business with that airline. Or maybe he checked some baggage that would have to be pulled back out if he were taken off the flight.

I don't think the FA's would have any way of knowing how much business his company does, etc and if they should give him some special treatment, I think they are just doing the easiest thing to get the plane moving. Luggage, yes, they'd have to pull luggage but would have to ask him first if he has any to pull.

 

[Rayvnn]

How big is an airline seat?

I am a 5'6" female. I weigh 325 pounds and have birthing hips. I plan on flying from Houston, TX to MCO next year.

Leslie

 

[kaytieeldr]

See seatguru.com for seat size (and more) information. Width varies by airline, by plane model, sometimes by plane.