Flying alone, Pooh-sized?

[Jerusalem Gal]

Does anyone know if the armrest nearest the aisle can be raised?

 

[Firepath]

I have seen on some seat charts some of the aisle seats are noted as handicapped accessible and do have armrests that raise. You should be able to check with your airline. I got one of those seats once and it was really nice. I wondered why all the aisle seats aren't that way.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have seen on some seat charts some of the aisle seats are noted as handicapped accessible and do have armrests that raise. You should be able to check with your airline. I got one of those seats once and it was really nice. I wondered why all the aisle seats aren't that way.

Probably to keep people from taking up aisle space. It needs to be clear for the flight attendants, and for others who need to use the lavatory.

 

[littlebearfan]

I don't think WestJet is alone in blocking the middle seat for their "extra leg room" section, so doing some research may lead to other other airlines that do as well. Some do just have the extra legroom though (may have other perks, too).

Thanks for the information! We will be checking several airlines before we purchase. Hopefully we find something similar!

 

[achang2001]

I was on a 4 HR flight yesterday. One of the last people to board was a very obese gentleman. His tray table could not come down. He lifted both armrests and squished himself in. What I don't understand is why the flight attendant didn't say anything. The gentleman in the aisle seat literally stood the entire 4 HR flight except for takeoff and liftoff. The flight attendants would hand him their drink trays to get out of their little prep space and he would hand it back to them. As the gentleman came down the aisle, it was obvious he could not fit in a seat. It shouldn't be another customer's job to embarrass the guy. I felt bad for everyone in that row. The sad part is that after the aisle guy stood up and remained standing, the obese gentleman just sat in the middle of the two seats. Hope the airline reimbursed him for the flight. I would not be happy if I had to stand for an entire 4hr flight.

 

[Yellowjj]

I was on a 4 HR flight yesterday. One of the last people to board was a very obese gentleman. His tray table could not come down. He lifted both armrests and squished himself in. What I don't understand is why the flight attendant didn't say anything. The gentleman in the aisle seat literally stood the entire 4 HR flight except for takeoff and liftoff. The flight attendants would hand him their drink trays to get out of their little prep space and he would hand it back to them. As the gentleman came down the aisle, it was obvious he could not fit in a seat. It shouldn't be another customer's job to embarrass the guy. I felt bad for everyone in that row. The sad part is that after the aisle guy stood up and remained standing, the obese gentleman just sat in the middle of the two seats. Hope the airline reimbursed him for the flight. I would not be happy if I had to stand for an entire 4hr flight.

I would bet good money he will be re-reimbursed his ticket as well as given some miles.

I had a situation once where the passenger was actually not obese, but his shoulders were massive. He was stuck in the middle seat next to me and the gentleman on the aisle also had broad shoulders. He actually apologized to both of us as he sat down for his broad shoulders. Seeing his discomfort I actually twisted my upper body slightly to utilize every inch of the window space and free up half of my shoulder space for this gentleman. He was extremely grateful and since it was only a 2 hour flight, I didn't mind.

To the OP, I don't know which airline your flying,but the best airlines for people of size are Southwest where they will accommodate you with a extra seat free of charge; or Jet blue who has the widest seats at 18.25" on their Embraer's with 2x2 seating.

 

[seashoreCM]

... down the aisle, it was obvious he could not fit in a seat. It shouldn't be another customer's job to embarrass the guy. I felt bad ...

You mean you would not point it out if a store clerk shortchanged you? You mean you would not complain about shoddy home or car repairs? You mean you would not fill out a police report if someone assaulted you? (Blithely plumping yourself down on top of someone else comes close to assault.)

If you end up moving to another seat, leave a carryon in the overhead bin untouched for now. After the frenzy of boarding and stowing settles down (perhaps after reaching cruising altitude and the captain turns off the seat belt sign) next find a new bin space for your carryon and then go get it and stow it closer to you.

 

[seashoreCM]

... his shoulders were massive. He was stuck in the middle seat next to me and the gentleman on the aisle also had broad shoulders. ... Seeing his discomfort I actually twisted my upper body slightly to utilize every inch of the window space and free up half of my shoulder space for this gentleman. ...

He, too, should have booked a second seat. You, too, should have complained before departure.

... It's a really difficult situation for all involved. ...

The solution is really easy, fly out with fewer heads than headrests, even during peak times. We'll give the airlines the benefit of the doubt by calling it oversight given the many tasks the flight crew has at boarding time. But (sorry, a customer may have to do the kibitzing) once a problem on a given flight becomes known, the airline needs to quickly do the right thing and consider the consequences as a normal cost of doing business which would show up as slightly higher across the board fares and/or slightly lower profits or stock prices.

 

[lylone]

A few weeks ago I had to travel for business and couldn't upgrade. It was on an airline that was not too friendly about larger passengers. I was worried about about having to purchase another seat and being embarrassed in front of my coworkers. It was a long 5 hour flight, but I was able to fit fine in an economy seat. So glad that is over and glad to be scheduled to fly in November to the World in first class. Both husband and I got upgraded for $100 to First class on Delta. Still shocked that we got upgraded so cheaply. I wish other airlines are willing to do cheaper upgrades like them!

 

[seashoreCM]

... travel for business and couldn't upgrade. ... I was worried about about having to purchase another seat and being embarrassed in front of my coworkers. ...!

You are what you are, weightwise, even though it might have looked different to your coworkers yesterday when you are wore a different outfit. If a flight attendant suddenly told you you were deplaned, or had to purchase another seat, say (not stated aloud) to cover the cost of having someone volunteer to make space for you, would not your company pay for that?

 

[lylone]

If a flight attendant suddenly told you you were deplaned, or had to purchase another seat, say (not stated aloud) to cover the cost of having someone volunteer to make space for you, would not your company pay for that?

Would my company pay for that? I have no idea, but I really wouldn't want to have to come back and have a discussion why I needed to be reimbursed for a second ticket.
I don't think the worry is about the cost.. more about the worry about what would happen and the conversations I would have to deal with.

 

[Yellowjj]

He, too, should have booked a second seat. You, too, should have complained before departure.

He probably should have to ensure his comfort but truthfully I didn't mind. He actually was leaning forward in his seat hunched over to allow both me and the aisle passenger our entitled space and I felt bad for him.

Being non-american, my shoulders are relatively small in comparison and I actually love to lean against windows on planes anyway; whether to look out or take a nap. So it wasn't much sacrifice on my part, nor was I in any pain.

 

[Gracie09]

If you don't think you can fit, with the arm rests down, not encroaching on others, buy a second seat. DH is 6'7". We purchased extra leg room seats on Jetblue for him. We then purchased 3 seats a row or two behind him for me and our children. We purchased our seats the day they came out and were among the first people to buy tickets (according to the seat map). When we went to board, two obese people were sitting in the other seats in DH's row. He has maybe a 1/3 of a seat left. Obviously would not work. To top it off, the people in the seats were medical preboards so the airline personnel knew they didn't fit but did nothing until DH got on. There were no extra seats (full flight). The airlines solution was to put DH on the next flight and send me ahead to Newark with two small children, 6 pieces of luggage and a stroller, and no car because we parked off site due to the lack of parking at Newark. Oh and the plane got in at 10:30 pm and the next one at just after midnight. The airline would not ask the person taking up more than their seat to leave because it would embarrass them, but they were perfectly okay with having my DH stand at the front of the plane embarrassed because people coming on thought he did something wrong. Finally, a single traveller offered his seat to DH. He overheard the discussion and said he was a dad himself and had no issues taking the later flight.
Jetblue's response was they don't want to embarrass the obese person so its really up to them to self-select a second seat. And they gave DH a $25 credit even though the seat he ended up in was not the extra leg room he paid for. They also said it would not have been an involuntarily denied boarding situation because there was physically a seat for him even though he couldn't fit in it.

 

[littlebearfan]

There were no extra seats (full flight).

I just grabbed a small piece of your post - didn't want to take up space by making a copy of the entire thing.

I am so glad someone stepped up and let your DH be on the same flight with you. I can't imagine how bad that would have been arriving by yourself - with tired kids and all the luggage! It really stinks that the airline didn't compensate better for the loss of leg room. It's ironic that they noticed he couldn't fit in 1/3 of a seat - but couldn't notice the two others who didn't fit!

One of my main concerns if we were to purchase 1 extra seat to split between the 2 of us would be the airline would put someone into that seat anyway (due to full or oversold flight) - and probably not refund us the extra fare. Not sure it would happen if we actually paid for the seat, but you never know. And you can't throw a conniption fit on a plane in today's world - you will probably get arrested.

Also, if they bump us out of the extra leg room row because they have a group of 3 people who want it and we are only 2 people.

We would rather just pay for the first class seats. We were looking at United for the week prior to our September week, and so far the first class seats seem reasonable.

 

[KrazeeK120]

If you don't think you can fit, with the arm rests down, not encroaching on others, buy a second seat. DH is 6'7". We purchased extra leg room seats on Jetblue for him. We then purchased 3 seats a row or two behind him for me and our children. We purchased our seats the day they came out and were among the first people to buy tickets (according to the seat map). When we went to board, two obese people were sitting in the other seats in DH's row. He has maybe a 1/3 of a seat left. Obviously would not work. To top it off, the people in the seats were medical preboards so the airline personnel knew they didn't fit but did nothing until DH got on. There were no extra seats (full flight). The airlines solution was to put DH on the next flight and send me ahead to Newark with two small children, 6 pieces of luggage and a stroller, and no car because we parked off site due to the lack of parking at Newark. Oh and the plane got in at 10:30 pm and the next one at just after midnight. The airline would not ask the person taking up more than their seat to leave because it would embarrass them, but they were perfectly okay with having my DH stand at the front of the plane embarrassed because people coming on thought he did something wrong. Finally, a single traveller offered his seat to DH. He overheard the discussion and said he was a dad himself and had no issues taking the later flight.
Jetblue's response was they don't want to embarrass the obese person so its really up to them to self-select a second seat. And they gave DH a $25 credit even though the seat he ended up in was not the extra leg room he paid for. They also said it would not have been an involuntarily denied boarding situation because there was physically a seat for him even though he couldn't fit in it.

Ughhhhhh this type of thing really gets on my nerves. Your husband COULD have fit in his seat, if a whole seat was available to him (which it should have been). I feel like people, in general, have the opinion that they can do whatever they want and the consequences are someone else's problem. It is beyond me why people think it's OK to take up more space than that to which they're entitled and not pay for it.

 

[seashoreCM]

deleted ................................

 

[seashoreCM]

Ughhhhhh this type of thing really gets on my nerves. Your husband COULD have fit in his seat, if a whole seat was available to him (which it should have been). I feel like airlines, in general, have the opinion that they can do whatever they want and the consequences are someone else's problem. It is beyond me why airlines think it's OK to deny space that customers are entitled to and not pay compensation for it.[/QUOTE]

 

[Gracie09]

I just grabbed a small piece of your post - didn't want to take up space by making a copy of the entire thing.

I am so glad someone stepped up and let your DH be on the same flight with you. I can't imagine how bad that would have been arriving by yourself - with tired kids and all the luggage! It really stinks that the airline didn't compensate better for the loss of leg room. It's ironic that they noticed he couldn't fit in 1/3 of a seat - but couldn't notice the two others who didn't fit!

One of my main concerns if we were to purchase 1 extra seat to split between the 2 of us would be the airline would put someone into that seat anyway (due to full or oversold flight) - and probably not refund us the extra fare. Not sure it would happen if we actually paid for the seat, but you never know. And you can't throw a conniption fit on a plane in today's world - you will probably get arrested.

Also, if they bump us out of the extra leg room row because they have a group of 3 people who want it and we are only 2 people.

We would rather just pay for the first class seats. We were looking at United for the week prior to our September week, and so far the first class seats seem reasonable.

It doesn't work that way. Dh wasnt bumped because better paying people came along. He was bumped because inconsiderate people opted to not care that they were causing harm to another. During the whole situation they sat there stone faced. They did not apologize did not offer to take the next flight. In fact when dh got to his seat (he boarded a few minutes before us to deal with the stroller etc) one looked at him and then the seat and said you have a problem don't you.

 

[seashoreCM]

... inconsiderate people opted to not care that they were causing harm to another. During the whole situation they sat there stone faced. They did not apologize did not offer to take the next flight. ... one looked at him and then the seat and said you have a problem don't you. ...

That is what complaint resolution officers are for. If the problem cannot be settled in the room shaped like a long tin can on its side (plane cabin), then you can use snail mail and try to have it settled in the company's board room and, that failing, try to have it settled in a courtroom.

... We would rather just pay for the first class seats. We were looking at United for the week prior to our September week, and so far the first class seats seem reasonable. ...

Paid first class is very treacherous. It is not that farfetched to be downgraded and the refund is small enough that you end up paying full fare coach and you do not get first class treatment. "Nobody" pays full fare coach to go on vacation.

 

[littlebearfan]

It doesn't work that way. Dh wasnt bumped because better paying people came along.

I hope not, but I have been bumped out of my assigned row before. A couple of examples that come to mind are when we had the front row aisle seats on Frontier flights. They called us up to the gate and told us they needed one of those seats for a Wheelchair person (which I completely understand - I moved and let my brother keep his leg room seat - they put me in an aisle seat a couple rows back).

The second time, we had selected those 2 seats in advance, but when we checked in at the airport they told us they needed to keep the front row in case they had any Handicapped customers. Then 4 teenagers and 2 very healthy looking adults filled the front row (not sure if the teenagers were being considered as minors flying alone, but they didn't seem to be 'with' the 2 adults). We haven't been bumped out of those 2 seats since they changed their pricing based on what row you select.

In fact when dh got to his seat (he boarded a few minutes before us to deal with the stroller etc) one looked at him and then the seat and said you have a problem don't you.

Wow! I am not sure I would have been able to keep my cool if someone taking up a portion of my seat said such a snide comment! I may have just plopped down my pooh rear right on top of both their thighs - regardless of their medical issues. Although your post didn't really say, I bet their "medical issue" that allowed them to pre-board has a lot to do with their weight. No, I am certainly not suggesting your DH should have done that (and I don't think I really would either), but it's fun to think about doing it!

Paid first class is very treacherous. It is not that farfetched to be downgraded and the refund is small enough that you end up paying full fare coach.

So far, we have never had a problem when we purchase first class seats in advance. Hope we never do! This is something we have just learned is an expense of vacationing. We will be checking the extra leg room rows too, but sometimes First Class isn't that much more.