Delta Comfort for (bad knees) DH or ?? (HELP!)

[yoopermom]

I thought I had all my plans set for our 25th anniversary "trip of a lifetime" in May. (I have more time off, so will be driving.)

Our original plans were to fly DH on Monday, May 16, MKE-ABQ (later in the day) and then on Thursday, May 26, LAS-MKE (early in the day).

I was all set to buy the tickets, when he has suddenly decided to panic over whether his really arthritic knees will be able to stand being cooped up in a regular airline seat .

We aren't rich, but I REALLY want this trip, so these are the alternatives I've thought of, please correct me, and add any I haven't:
1)Southwest "Customer of Size" (yes, he is a large((r)) guy, but would this buy him any leg room, aka once the seatbelt light went off could he "swing" his legs into the areas under either of his seats?) $221 (plus the cost of the second one up front, refunded later)
2)Delta "Comfort" seats (from what I've researched, approx 4" more?) $269
3)other???

Southwest we could do a nonstop, but would he be better off w/Delta and having two shorter flights with time to walk around and stretch during the layover?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We haven't flown since our 20th anniversary, and upgraded on the flight home, it was lovely .

Terri

 

[maxiesmom]

I would probably go with Delta. Spend the little extra for a comfort seat, but give him the one on the aisle. That way he can get up and walk around a bit to stretch out. If he can't get up because the seat belt sign is on he can always borrow a little of your leg space.

Have you checked how much first class seats are on Delta? Sometimes you can get a great deal on them. Factor in too that you can each check 2 bags for no cost.

 

[strat68]

The newest changes to Southwest plans don't allow me to straighten my legs under the seat in front of me. A customer of size extra seat won't get more leg room but, as you guessed, would allow one to stretch out under the second seat. If you go that route contact Southwest to make sure that you will get to keep the extra seat no matter what.

What are your other airline choices. United's Economy Plus seats have good leg room. Check seatguru.com and you can see the seat configurations if you know the type of aircraft.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you buy the SWA extra seat for person of size, it should allow you to pre-board, then sit in the exit row seats where they have more leg room. Assuming you and your DH are physically able to qualify for the exit row seats. You have to be able to lift a 40 lb(?) emergency exit door in case of an emergency.

 

[yoopermom]

Thank you ALL such wonderful suggestions! I know he's not happy to have to fly without me (but I get an extra week off, and am looking forward to the "road trip" aspect).

I'm going to read these all to him, and let him decide .

Terri

 

[DebbieB]

If you buy the SWA extra seat for person of size, it should allow you to pre-board, then sit in the exit row seats where they have more leg room. Assuming you and your DH are physically able to qualify for the exit row seats. You have to be able to lift a 40 lb(?) emergency exit door in case of an emergency.

Not sure about customer of size, but I know they don't allow seat belt extensions in the exit row.

One thing about Delta's Comfort seats, they are not any wider. I decided to pay extra to get one on a coast to coast flight and a big guy sat next to me and squished me in (I had a window seat).

 

[FCDub]

If you buy the SWA extra seat for person of size, it should allow you to pre-board, then sit in the exit row seats where they have more leg room. Assuming you and your DH are physically able to qualify for the exit row seats. You have to be able to lift a 40 lb(?) emergency exit door in case of an emergency.

Pre-boarders aren't allowed to sit in the exit row.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Pre-boarders aren't allowed to sit in the exit row.

It makes sense for a medical pre-board to stay out of the exit rows. Not sure why they wouldn't allow a seat-belt extender.

 

[Woodview]

Not sure where the Airports are Or where you live

But

If I were you I would take " your Drive option " & forget Flying. Both Drive down in your own car & enjoy a few overnight stays.

See a bit of your own country.

 

[DebbieB]

It makes sense for a medical pre-board to stay out of the exit rows. Not sure why they wouldn't allow a seat-belt extender.

It makes the seat belt long and hang down when unbuckled. People could get caught in it while trying to exit. This is a rule for all airlines, I saw them move someone on a USAirways flight because he needed an extender.

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/inflight-experience/emergency-exit.html

A passenger seated in an exit seat must not:

• Have preboarded
• Use a portable oxygen concentrator
• Require a seat belt extension to fasten his or her seat belt
• Have a condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children or pets, that might prevent them from performing the applicable functions
• Have a condition that might cause the person harm if he or she performs one or more of the applicable functions

 

[jdb in AZ]

It makes the seat belt long and hang down when unbuckled. People could get caught in it while trying to exit. This is a rule for all airlines, I saw them move someone on a USAirways flight because he needed an extender.

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/inflight-experience/emergency-exit.html

Interesting. Who woulda thunk it. (And no, I don't use an extender.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Pre-boarders aren't allowed to sit in the exit row.

But he could sit in the bulkhead row.

Not sure where the Airports are Or where you live

But

If I were you I would take " your Drive option " & forget Flying. Both Drive down in your own car & enjoy a few overnight stays.

See a bit of your own country.

Husband doesn't have enough time off to go along on the drive.

 

[bcarey2k]

I'm in the Econony Confort side. If splurging for business class isn't an option, do EC and an aisle.

Flying is what it is ... I've sat beside larger folks and tiny folks .... For the most part, most are understanding.

Brian

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Southwest's COS policy covers only passengers who encroach over the armrests, not those with long legs or medical issues, so don't expect to get a free seat for other reasons.

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-COS

I would recommend an airline where you can pay a bit more for seats with extra legroom, such as United's Economy Plus or Delta, as previously mentioned.

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks, again, everyone. The prices are shocking to me who would just "tough it out", but it's his trip, too. I spent the past few hours pricing out each leg individually as economy, then seeing what it would give me for a price upgrade.

United for MKE-ABQ Economy Plus will be $300, LAS-MKE Delta Comfort will be $269. Hope he's worth it (JK, I promise!)

If I were flying, also, we'd definitely do SW, get the extra seat (we're both large enough to qualify, I think), and then he could at least spread his legs out to the side, but I'm looking forward to the drive .

Terri

 

[fiveminutes]

I have bad knees from kneecaps not forming correctly, plus I'm tall. I've already had one partial knee replacement at the ripe old age of 32 with number 2 coming up in August. I'm taking my first plane trip on Thursday since my first replacement. What I've done is made sure that I have bulkhead or exit row seats. This will ensure that I can stretch my legs out if I need to if the new one complains while up in the air. I would be a bit cautious on the bulkhead seats that do have a wall right in front. I tend to not find the leg room any better in those seats, and prefer the airplanes that separate first class and economy by a curtain, because then I have the extra legroom, plus I can stretch my legs out under the lest first class seat! i second checking out Seat Guru, I find them accurate most of the time when picking out my seats

 

[SteveMouse]

If you buy the SWA extra seat for person of size, it should allow you to pre-board, then sit in the exit row seats where they have more leg room. Assuming you and your DH are physically able to qualify for the exit row seats. You have to be able to lift a 40 lb(?) emergency exit door in case of an emergency.

Usually, preboards with Southwest are restricted from sitting in the exit rows (but that may be due to medical preboards). If the OP is purchasing a ticket to accommodate a disability, SW may apply that logic.

 

[Starshine]

How are the Business Select fares on Southwest? That would guarantee him an A1-A15 seat, and since he'll be by himself the odds are really high that he could get an emergency row seat.

 

[alaska8]

FYI on some boeing aircraft seatbelt extensions are not allowed in bulk head seats due to the new special "airbelt" seatbelts