best seat in airplane for people at LARGE

[PaintedStuff]

A travel agent friend told me that Delta's SONG airline has the SMALLEST center seat of all carriers. So beware.

I don't know if Spirit flies to Orlando, but here's a neat trick: purchase a coach seat on Spirit and when you get to the airport ask if there are any empty seats in their version of "first class." If there are, they will upgrade you for $40. I've done it back and forth from NY to South Florida - it's great.

 

[sgtdisney]

The width of airlines seats tends to be fairly common by type. So while Southwest, or American may give you more pitch in it's seating, the actual width of the seat remains fairly constant between aircraft types. For example the cabin width in all 737s is the same. 200 through 900 series. Actually the cabin width is almost the same in all the narrow body Boeing Aircraft as they are all based on the cabin width of the 707.

The width of aircraft seats has been fairly consistant for many years now when they went to 6 across seating in the narrow bodies in the late 60s/early 70s.. Basically the 727/737/757 planes have seats that are 17" inches wide. The MD-80/717 family have seats slightly wider at 18 inches... 777 and 747 tend to be closer to 18 inches unless they cram 10 across on a 777 in the charter carriers..

The best thing you can do if the seat is too narrow is sit next to a friend and put up the armrest. The only other option, unfortunately is to buy 2 seats or fly first class..

 

[Ahrizel]

At 5-9 and a size 28, I can fit in the seats reasonably comfortable if the armrests are up. If there down, not so good. You probably want to advoid the bulkhead seats, the trays are in the sides and narrow the seats some, and many of the armrests don't come up. With regards to the exit row, it is much more comfortable. However, if you need a seatbelt extender you can not sit there!!! I got bumped out of the exit row last October because of the extender. If you're considering Southwest I suggest you read the policies they have on buying another seat. Right now we won't fly with them because of it. Good Luck.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Ahrizel
If you're considering Southwest I suggest you read the policies they have on buying another seat. Right now we won't fly with them because of it. Good Luck.

Actually SW policies are better than most carriers, the difference is SW is getting the publicity. If there is a single empty seat on your flight SW will refund the cost of your second seat. If the flight is sold out and you require 2 seats then you have to buy 2 seats. If the flight isn't sold out SW will give you (via refund) the second seat for free. Basically if you can fit in your seat (with the armrest down) they won't make you buy a second seat. SOUNDS FAIR TO ME.

 

[dznyntnh]

The only issue I have with Southwest's policy is the haphazard way in which they enforce it.

They leave it up to the ticket agents when you check in (if you don't go ahead and buy an extra in advance). Some of the horror stories I have heard about people being embarassed by this made me almost not fly them last year when it was really in the news.

We called Southwest ahead of time and asked about the policy and if I should buy another seat. I have never had a problem fitting into one of their seats with or without an armrest, but I have needed the extension belt. They said I would be fine, and luckily nothing was made of it.

I don't think the policy is a bad one, but I do think they need to do some sensativity training if they are going to put this power in the hands of the front line people.

 

[Lewisc]

Actually SW is trying to leave the enforcement to the CUSTOMER to know if he will fit in one seat with the arm rest lowered. If you call SW they will give you the seat sizing information and will basically tell you if you can fit in a movie seat you should be OK. I think the alternative of having people sit in a sample seat/sizing outline would be much worse.

I've read the airlines are getting more complaints from passengers regarding overweight people encroaching on their space than overweight people complaining about the policy.

Although there is no excuse for rudeness I suspect some of the passengers may be so overweight that it's not even close if the person needs a second seat. I can understand the agent at least THINKING (who are you kidding, of course you need a second seat).

Originally posted by dznyntnh
The only issue I have with Southwest's policy is the haphazard way in which they enforce it.

They leave it up to the ticket agents when you check in (if you don't go ahead and buy an extra in advance). Some of the horror stories I have heard about people being embarassed by this made me almost not fly them last year when it was really in the news.

We called Southwest ahead of time and asked about the policy and if I should buy another seat. I have never had a problem fitting into one of their seats with or without an armrest, but I have needed the extension belt. They said I would be fine, and luckily nothing was made of it.

I don't think the policy is a bad one, but I do think they need to do some sensativity training if they are going to put this power in the hands of the front line people.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Ahrizel
At 5-9 and a size 28, I can fit in the seats reasonably comfortable if the armrests are up. If there down, not so good. You probably want to advoid the bulkhead seats, the trays are in the sides and narrow the seats some, and many of the armrests don't come up. With regards to the exit row, it is much more comfortable. However, if you need a seatbelt extender you can not sit there!!! I got bumped out of the exit row last October because of the extender. If you're considering Southwest I suggest you read the policies they have on buying another seat. Right now we won't fly with them because of it. Good Luck.

If you can fit into the seat SWA won't make you purchase an extra seat because of the seat belt extender.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

They leave it up to the ticket agents when you check in (if you don't go ahead and buy an extra in advance). Some of the horror stories I have heard about people being embarassed by this made me almost not fly them last year when it was really in the news.

Well, since SWA cannot see over the phone, who would you leave it up to? I have yet to read much in the line of complaints about this, but, I sure have read complaints about larger people encroaching on smaller people's space.

A lot of airlines have this policy, SWA hit the news because they decided the safety and comfort of ALL pax was important. The media took it and ran. Their policy is fair and IMHO very very easy to understand.

 

[Lewisc]

SWA was sued for making an obese passenger purchase a second seat. SWA won. I think SWA also has more flights that are full than other airlines. Hence SWA is getting more publicity. Their policy is about the same as other airlines.

An objective standard, having a sizing template similar to that used for carry on luggage, would IMHO be much worse. If it's a close call SW let's the passenger go through. Traditional airlines offer first class. The airline can provide a free or reduced price upgrade without making the passenger purchase an extra seat. There really isn't a lot SW can do.

Should I have to give up a part of my seat on a sold out flight if an obese person fails to purchase a second seat? Sorry I really can't see the other side of this issue (other than an occassional rude employee).

 

[NotUrsula]

As for the exit row, please remember that the privilege of sitting there comes with the responsibility to open the door in the event of an emergency.

You not only need to be an adult to handle it, but you need to be in good health and able to physically manage putting your back into lifting the door; depending on the size of the aircraft, that door can weigh anywhere from 60 - 110 lbs. In an emergency, you are supposed to not just open the door, but actually remove it from the opening and throw it clear of the aircraft. I've read reports of situations where wind or debris outside the door meant that several people had to push it open together.

It is my understanding that the rule about the extension belt exists for a rather grim reason, rather like the rule about putting lap babies on the floor. They don't want obese people sitting in the exit row because, in the event of that person being rendered unconscious, it would be extremely difficult for other passengers to shift the person out of the way so that others could access the door.

 

[bearloch]

Well at least our fight isn't overly long, Were still a little concerned but we can put all the armrest up as were all together and just put the 4 yr old in the middle of us. Hopefully everything will be alright. Now lets just hope no motion sickness " happens"

bearloch