Do airlines not let you purchase an empty seat next to you?

[Threehearts]

I debated whether this board or transportation would be the right one. I think that I will have more responses here so this is my question.

I need to have major surgery involving one of my kidneys. After 3 opinions at major medical centers, I have decided that the Dana-Farber surgeon in Boston will be the most skilled. I will have the surgery and then stay in a hotel for up to 2/3 days. I actually hope to be out of the hospital on day 2 and flying back to DC the following day.

My understanding from the surgeon is that I will feel poorly on the way home on the plane, 2 weeks to get back on my feet and 6 weeks before I am back to work. I want to purchase my seat as well as the seat next to me for the extra space near the surgery site and because I will need the armrest up. I just heard that most if not all airlines, will not let you purchase an empty seat. I'm concerned about how I will get home if someone is right up against me.

Does anyone have experience with this? Southwest apparently adheres to this policy. I don't know firsthand about the others.

Thanks very much.

 

[focusondisney]

I know Jetblue absolutely does allow this. My husband & I have done it a few times & are doing it again in a few weeks. You must book & pay for both seats in the same fare class & seating selection. I don’t know JetBlue’s flight patterns between Boston & DC tho.

https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us/booking-extra-seats

Did you actually call SW & you say you need an extra set for medical purpose or are you going by online discussions? Obviously you should request wheelchair assistance, so that might make a difference in them allowing it. You should probably be prepared with a note from the Dr that you need the extra space, just in case anyone questions it at the gate.


Edit… this says people with a disability that need an extra seat are allowed to purchase it. As an RN, I would definitely say a recent surgery qualifies as a temporary disability. You might need the extra space to recline or position yourself to protect the surgery site. Definitely call & speak to customer service.

https://support.southwest.com/helpc...specific-seat-or-an-extra-seat?CLK=SITESEARCH

 

[elvispursley]

So as someone who has flown out of state for surgery (Seattle to Dallas) for leg surgery, twice, I have some words of advice. You will feel like absolute garbage on post-op day 3, the day you are wanting to fly home. The first surgery I had on my left leg, my husband and I flew home the day after surgery. It was the biggest mistake ever. Even though we were seated in the bulkhead on AA, that was the longest 4-hours of my life. I had to turn around and fly back in 2-weeks for the pot-op visit. The next year, I had the same surgery but the other leg. We opted to stay in a hotel for a week before flying home. Still difficult but this time we also opted to fly first class. Definitely made a difference.

If I were you, I would seriously consider staying in a hotel for a few nights before flying home. And I would consider flying first class if at all possible. If you can't swing the price of first class, I would find a window seat with the window on the side that your kidney procedure was performed so that the unaffected side is next to the middle row. Have you tried calling the airlines and explaining why you need to purchase the middle seat?

I wish you luck and a speedy recovery. Hopefully someone else has better advice!

 

[Sykes]

Southwest allows you to purchase an extra seat, but only if you need it as a customer of size or to accommodate a disability. Note that a disability is usually a long-term condition under the ACAA and typically wouldn't cover a short-term need due to surgery, although the ACAA does recognize temporary impairments. I'd expect Southwest to be pretty accommodating here even though you might not properly qualify under the disability criteria, but Southwest is a bit more restrictive than most other airlines because Southwest will refund the extra seat charge after the flight if it doesn't go out full, unlike other airlines that require paying full price.

Most other airlines allow customers to purchase an extra seat for any reason, even just for personal comfort. Here are some policies by airline: Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Spirit.

 

[Threehearts]

Thank you for the detailed responses and links. I contacted SW and I do not qualify for the extra seat because I am not disabled or a person of size. I would qualify for early boarding.

I am trying to get home asap because I have weekly infusions that I really need to not miss. I agree that day 3 is sub-optimal for flying back but I have had major surgeries before and can rally when I need to. I've had a big liver surgery and a large bone cancer excision and got home very quickly to take care of 2 little kids. You can do a lot when you have no one to help out.

I am going to try other airlines to see what their policies are. The first class suggestion might be a good solution.