person of size south west airlines policy question (Nashville TN)

[steph-in-ky]

I know SWA has a person of size policy where you have to purchase a 2nd seat if you cant fit in the seat with the arm rests down. My question is if you've never flown with them before and you are a large person, how do you know if you will fit or not?

How big would you say is too big to fit in the seat? Do you think they are smaller or larger than the seats that the movie theatres used to have where the arms didn't raise up? My husband can sit in those but it is tight so if they are much smaller then I think he would have a problem. Also if we think he will fit and choose not to go ahead and purchase the ticket is there employees who look for overweight people and suggest they buy the extra seat before boarding? If so that would really embarrass him.

Any comments/suggestions welcome. I don't know if anyone has had this issue with this airport but we are flying out of Nashville, TN.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jemiaule]

I did a quick Google search and found an older article on CNN which stated the seat size on SW as 18 3/4 inch cushions.

Maybe next time you go to the theater discretely measure a seat and see if it is the same size?

 

[Edd]

If you are a person of size, more than likely you will be pushing on someone elses privacy if you sit in any airline seat. I don't think there is a standard size seat and where you might get an extra inch in one plane you might lose it in another plane. So you really can't take a measurement as proof whether or not you should buy an extra seat. Some airlines have a first class cabin. Take those seats if available and you won't have to worry about being oversize. I don't think SW has first class.

If you and your husband are going, than get two seats assigned together where he is on an end seat and you are next to him. That way you can share the seat with him no matter. If that isn't reasonable than just go ahead and buy an extra seat and save the embarrassment of being asked. Usually if you think you are oversized than you are oversized and need to do that.

 

[zurgswife]

I think I read somewhere though that if you are over sized and need 2 seats, if you wait and purchase them at the check-in counter and the flight is not full you will be reimbursed. You might want to call SW and ask about it.

 

[pearlieq]

Speaking from experience here (DH and I have flown with Southwest CoS policy at least 10 times).

The seats are pretty small. The are probably a bit smaller than old fashioned theater chairs.

My DH has a 48" waist and can put the arm rest down without issue, so he would technically not need to buy the ticket. To give you a point of reference, for women you start getting close to needing the extra seat if you wear a 24 or 26 on the bottom (of course I know everyone is built differently, but it's just a general idea).

If his waist is larger than 50" you might want to start considering the extra seat as a real possibility. Enforcement/screening for the policy is very loose. It's really impossible to know if they're going to bring it up or not.

If you have the means, I would advice you to just go ahead and buy the extra ticket. It's so much more comfortable to have a row to yourselves instead of being squished in with a stranger. My DH may be able to put the arm rest down, but he still has big, broad linebacker shoulders that crowd in.

With a CoS seat you'll be allowed to preboard, which is awesome, and if the flight isn't full they'll give you your money back. It's a quick and easy procedure to claim the refund and they're always prompt.

 

[kaytieeldr]

pearlieq - just for clarification: Southwest will refund the CoS passenger IF the plane ends up not being full, whether they purchase the second seat in advance or at the airport? Thanks!

 

[pearlieq]

pearlieq - just for clarification: Southwest will refund the CoS passenger IF the plane ends up not being full, whether they purchase the second seat in advance or at the airport? Thanks!

You know, I don't know. I always purchase ours in advance. I would think that it would be refundable regardless. Their website doesn't differentiate where you buy the ticket and the slip they give you with refund information doesn't mention any difference either. Maybe it's worth a phone call to them to find out for sure?

I've honestly not 100% sure it even matters whether the flight was full or not. I've had the crew do the whole "it's a full flight, take any available seat" announcement and still gotten a refund. We've always gotten our money back, so I figure it's worth trying to request the refund once you get home no matter what.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

To answer another question, yes they can force you to buy another ticket once you arrive if they feel your are too "large". It has happened to my cousin and her husband. There have been times when they've prepurchased the extra seat and got it refunded because there were plenty of seats. They say an average airplane seat is the width of your computer keyboard. Use that for an idea. If you're worried, buy it in advance so you get it at the cheaper price!

 

[MushyMushy]

I agree with Pearlieq about the size for a woman being around 24/26. I'm a 22, and fit snugly in the seat.

We bought an extra seat with the CoS policy for our trip last year and I'm glad we did. I did talk to a gate agent and she said that, in her opinion, I wouldn't ever be singled out to buy an extra seat, but there really is no hard and fast rule when they just eyeball you. You really need to make sure the armrest can go down and that's it. Go to seatguru.com and figure out the measurements. Then you can measure a desk chair to see how you'll fit.

Regarding the refund, I purchased mine in advance and was able to get it.

 

[alldiz]

Speaking from experience here (DH and I have flown with Southwest CoS policy at least 10 times).

The seats are pretty small. The are probably a bit smaller than old fashioned theater chairs.

My DH has a 48" waist and can put the arm rest down without issue, so he would technically not need to buy the ticket. To give you a point of reference, for women you start getting close to needing the extra seat if you wear a 24 or 26 on the bottom (of course I know everyone is built differently, but it's just a general idea).

If his waist is larger than 50" you might want to start considering the extra seat as a real possibility. Enforcement/screening for the policy is very loose. It's really impossible to know if they're going to bring it up or not.

If you have the means, I would advice you to just go ahead and buy the extra ticket. It's so much more comfortable to have a row to yourselves instead of being squished in with a stranger. My DH may be able to put the arm rest down, but he still has big, broad linebacker shoulders that crowd in.

With a CoS seat you'll be allowed to preboard, which is awesome, and if the flight isn't full they'll give you your money back. It's a quick and easy procedure to claim the refund and they're always prompt.

I agree....Those seats are small....
My size 22 butt...just fits....I swear everytime I go....I say I will lose
weight.....cause the seatbelt just fits....and once I seal
my butt in that seat...I dont want to get up

If both of your sizes are questionable...buy one extra seat...
you can share the overlap of the middle seat....
And like PP said....you'll get your money back if flight not full...
good luck
kerri