AIRLINE Rules and Regulations...?

[momrek06]

I have a question I would like to ask...(inspired by the K.D. Thread)...my entire family from the New England area will be flying to Colorado Springs May 2007 for our nephew's wedding.

I have one sister that has allot of financial issues...(well she is basically poor). She works hard at two jobs and pays the rent, puts gas in her 10 yo car, buys the groceries as well as clothes for her and her DD. DSis is a single Mom.
Because of her situation, she does not travel much, well not at all basically.
She called me the other day, so hopeful about attending DNephew's wedding that she is setting aside so much money weekly to put towards plane tickets for her and DD.

THIS IS THE QUESTION and I have no idea where to get the answer from so I am taking it here to the DIS BOARDS where I am wondering if anyone would have an answer.

DSis weighs approximately 400 pounds. Will DSis need two tickets for herself to fly? My Mom called me today very concerned and asked me if I knew the protocol for flying. I did not. She said DSis does not have the money to buy 2 tickets for her and one for her DD.

Would anyone know how I would find out for sure?

TIA!

 

[Ronda93]

There have been other DIS discussions on this...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1022524&highlight=pooh
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1019859&highlight=pooh
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=929638&highlight=pooh
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=895525&highlight=pooh

The answer is maybe.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is up to the airline, unfortunately.

Perhaps if DSis cannot afford it, that a relative may be able to help her out. (Just as a suggestion, not as a judgement call).

I have heard on some airlines, if they do this, but then the passenger does fit in one seat, they can get a refund.

 

[goofinoff]

I believe that, yes, it is up to the airline. If the passenger cannot fit into one seat comfortably, without disturbing fellow passengers sitting next to him/her and is unable to fasten his/her seatbelt, then the airline would require the passenger to purchase another seat. It would be too bad if your sister would have to miss her nephew's wedding. Especially if she has been saving for so long. I'm sure she would be disappointed. Good luck. Let us know how she makes out.

 

[MushyMushy]

Probably. It's better for her to be proactive about it and buy her own second seat up front than to get on a plane only to find out she needed an extra seat. At that size, I'm willing to bet that she would definitely spill over onto the next seat, and that's totally not fair to the person sitting there. Even if that person is a family member, an airline like SWA could potentially require her to buy the second seat at the last minute, which would be a lot more expensive than going ahead and buying it at a better deal.

 

[JESW]

When my sil was that weight she had to buy 2 seats. This is not a judgement, but I am not sure if someone who is 400 lbs could fit in one airline seat. I am half her weight and I sit between my two kids so I can put the bars up for more room. Do the airlines have weight limits for seats??

Jill

 

[momrek06]

Thank you, thank you!! I read through the Threads Ronda posted for me and have learned that for instance SWA does not ask anyone their weight at all...they tell you the size of the seat 17 x 18 (movie theater size) and that the armrest has to come down very easily next to you. If you cannot get the armrest down you will be required to purchase a second ticket. You will get a refund if there is an empty seat on the plane. SWA suggests that you be "proactive" as MushyMushy exactly said in her post, and buy the second ticket up front. If it is their decision you can actually fit comfortably in one seat and not infringe on someone next to you, they will refund your money.

Despite, DSis' finances, I know for a fact she would be much more comfortable in 2 seats all the way to Colorado Springs from Maine than one seat.

TIA! I will continue to read everyones replies.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thank you, thank you!! I read through the Threads Ronda posted for me and have learned that for instance SWA does not ask anyone their weight at all...they tell you the size of the seat 17 x 18 (movie theater size) and that the armrest has to come down very easily next to you. If you cannot get the armrest down you will be required to purchase a second ticket. You will get a refund if there is an empty seat on the plane. SWA suggests that you be "proactive" as MushyMushy exactly said in her post, and buy the second ticket up front. If it is their decision you can actually fit comfortably in one seat and not infringe on someone next to you, they will refund your money.

Despite, DSis' finances, I know for a fact she would be much more comfortable in 2 seats all the way to Colorado Springs from Maine than one seat.

TIA! I will continue to read everyones replies.

Actually, you will get the refund no matter whether you fit in the seat or not, as long as they haven't sold out that flight. It's best not to count on the refund, as they do frequently sell out their flights.

I hope she has an enjoyable trip!

 

[Pugdog007]

How old and what size is DD? If DD is small, she could probably just leave the arms up between their seats (sharing both) and be ok.

 

[momrek06]

How old and what size is DD? If DD is small, she could probably just leave the arms up between their seats (sharing both) and be ok.

Ahh...Pugdog: DD is 18yo and is 5'4 and about 130 lbs. She is a freshmen in college....sooo I think she would be a tad bit uncomfortable with her mom "infringing" on her seat on that distance of a flight.

 

[Poohnatic]

It really depends.

I flew out to California last Sunday and the gentleman in the middle seat was easily 400 pounds. I was squished into my seat the whole flight (I am not a small person)-but he was only in the one seat and I know he hadn't purchased two (based on the seats sold a week prior to flying).

He was probably about 5'7" or 5'8" and fit into a Delta seat. If she's short and weighs that much, it's going to be harder to fit into the seat.

My suggestion would be for her to sit in a chair and take a measuring tape, and measure as if she was wearing a seatbelt. Then call the airline and see if they have a measurement for the seatbelts.

Good luck.

Suzanne

 

[DAVE2010]

ahh...pugdog: Dd is 18yo and is 5'4 and about 130 lbs. She is a freshmen in college....sooo i think she would be a tad bit uncomfortable with her mom "infringing" on her seat on that distance of a flight.

flying from ri is a 3 hour flight non stop with southwest .. Never would fly them because of the 2 seat rule since i am a big guy 340 or so ... Since i have a 3 year old i have used them and i find them to be very cheap and the crew always does a great job with that said at 340 i do flood over into the next seat for sure since my son is 30 lbs at 3 hes a peanut so i do sit on the isle and lift that bar up and it saves me from having to buy a 2nd seat but if i didnt have him i would fly another airline since sw doesnt assign seats but with a relative 5'4 and only 130 i bet they wouldnt mind sharing some of their seat..... Anyways if it was me i would buy 2 seats and hope the plane wasnt full but sw has been full every time i fly to orlando since your going elsewhere maybe she will get lucky good luck

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just note that Southwest's policy provides EACH ticket with one FULL seat - even a thirty pound toddler.

However, Southwest with two seats will likely be the sister's best option. Other airlines don't make as big a deal of their C0S policies, but at least one will NOT refund anything if the customer has to buy a second seat yet the plane isn't full.

Also, she should purchase two one-way tickets - i.e. two entirely separate purchases. It doesn't affect the price, but may affect whether she can be refunded.

 

[laurie31]

Ummm...her trip was almost 3 years ago.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ummm...her trip was almost 3 years ago.

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

(I was wondering why OP was asking about a long ago trip--dutifuly read the responses and wondered how I responded already.)