Plus Sized passenges on SWA

[fostrmom2mny]

OK, I have never flown SWA before. I'm VERY afraid of the pay for two seats policy for plussized passengers. My work is sending me on SWA with about 7 others and I am worried that I'll be so embarrased if they (SWA) tells me to go back and buy another ticket. (Which I may not be able to afford).

Have any plussized (need an extender) folks had to deal with this lately?
Thanks,
Gerri

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Gerri,

I have flown SW before and will be flying them again. I definitely qualify as a plus sized passenger. They have an FAQ about their Customer of Size policy on their site. I do purchase the two seats and find that the SW staff is very accomodating and are not the beasts they have been made to seem to be in regards to larger passengers. I do however plan my flights at off times so I can almost be guaranteed the refund of the second seat. I have always received the refund promptly also. On my last trip, just about every SW staff person I encountered made it a point to make sure I knew I could expect a refund because the flight was oversold. At the gate arriving in Orlando, the Flight Attendant even approached me as we were disembarking and said "Make sure you call them to get your refund! I don't think most people do." When you check in you are given a "This Seat is Resevered" pass that you can place on your extra seat, so you do not have to speak with every person who might want to take your seat if you'd rather not explain it to them. I know that they will also issue you a pre-board pass so you can ensure you get two seats together.

I definitely understand your concerns about being flown somewhere by an employer. I struggled with this myself in the past and I found that being upfront and matter of fact with all parties worked out best in the end. Perhaps saying to your supervisor or who ever coordinates travel, "I am not sure if you have seen any of the stories about Southwest's two seats policy. I am not sure if they will require me to get an extra seat but I would much rather have this handled before we get to the airport than when we are trying to leave. I know they will refund the extra seat if the flight is undersold. Here is Southwests customer service number if that helps." That is what i said to one of my supervisor's and she was nice in her reaction. I believe that if you need to be somewhere for work and they are transporting you, you have a right to be flown comfortably and with dignity.

Not sure if that will help at all. If I can try to answer anything more specifically just let me know!

Mike

 

[seashoreCM]

Take and use it if you are offered it but, do you really need a "this seat is reserved" sign? If you are seated and the armrest is up, nobody will try to squeeze in.

If you travel for your job you may tell your employer before the trip booking that you customarily book two seats for yourself owing to your size. If your employer is still skeptical you tell him that the airline may deplane* you if the flight is full and you have not bought two seats. Then it is his call.

This one is my opinion. Larger persons do not have to wait for all smaller persons to go first (but everyone must wait their turn) in case of emergency. This means that larger persons are not forbidden to take exit row seats simply because they need or reserved two seats.

*Being told to go buy another ticket is considered a "deplaning" here. Except, how can they tell you to go buy another ticket if the flight is full?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[brendrek]

Southwest doesn't have seat specifications posted though (none that I could find), or any rough guidelines for that matter. The determining factor seems to be if you can comfortably put the arm rests down. How could you be sure if you haven't flown recently? I agree it would be best to notify your employer rather than take the chance with only one ticket.

 

[elf]

What is typically the size that you might need two seats, size 18, 22, 26? Does anyone have any hints?

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

and I did not have any trouble with the arm rest down. Considering women sizes I would say the limit would be a size 30 or 32. This size would be a strech. If You are under this then I would not worry. For a man I would say someone with a waist larger than 58 or 60 would have trouble. these are just guesses though. I know I fit fine.

 

[Mykelogan]

Take and use it if you are offered it but, do you really need a "this seat is reserved" sign? If you are seated and the armrest is up, nobody will try to squeeze in.

This has happened to me, even though from my perspective there is not enough of the second seat left for the average person to sit comfortably.

Mike

 

[Mykelogan]

and I did not have any trouble with the arm rest down. Considering women sizes I would say the limit would be a size 30 or 32. This size would be a strech. If You are under this then I would not worry. For a man I would say someone with a waist larger than 58 or 60 would have trouble. these are just guesses though. I know I fit fine.

I think your guesses are pretty accurate. In the end it is about weight distribution too. Two people of the exact same weight and height could fit differently also. I think there was link I saw on here that related to seat sizes of all airlines. That could be helpful too. Now where is it... hehe

Mike

 

[johde]

http://www.seatguru.com has seat sizes for several airlines but not South West. I did find information at http://www.vacationidea.com/airlines/southwest_seats.html about South Wests Seats. I had the same concerns before my last trip in September. I actually measured 18" in my computer chair and looked to see how it would be. One thing I noticed is that every other row on the flight I took had an arm rest that went up into the center aisle. I was flying solo on a full flight so I looked for an aisle seat with a child sitting in the middle seat. Her mom had the window seat. I didn't need to raise arm rest but sitting next to a child gave me more shoulder room.

 

[Shasta]

Wow! This is something I haven't thought about. I am a male with a 50' waist. I am flying with my daughter and wife and can put my DD in the middle if need be. So tell me, if something is going to be said, will it be said at the gate or after I sit?

 

[mommic32]

O.K Now I have a guestion... I am pooh sized AND short! as well, probably a 24 in womens, and I am planning on flying with my 2 daughters and husband and my original plan was to split us up in 2's, (Both daughters want a window seat) Now should I keep all 3 of us(Daughters) together and I will take the middle seat, or should we just split up. I am sure that HUbby would not mind sitting by himself for a 2 hour trip.. Thanks for any help..

 

[princess lovers mom]

O.K Now I have a guestion... I am pooh sized AND short! as well, probably a 24 in womens, and I am planning on flying with my 2 daughters and husband and my original plan was to split us up in 2's, (Both daughters want a window seat) Now should I keep all 3 of us(Daughters) together and I will take the middle seat, or should we just split up. I am sure that HUbby would not mind sitting by himself for a 2 hour trip.. Thanks for any help..

I would suggest you sitting on the aisle with the 2 girls next to you and hubby on aisle accross from you...that way you can sit with your armrest up and only "hang" into your own families seats if it comes to that....

that is what we do...

 

[weregoingtodw]

They actually showed this on a recent episode of Airline (yes, I've been known to watch it LOL). I felt that Southwest handled the entire incident very discreetly.

 

[inkkognito]

If you prefer the arm rest to be up and you are traveling solo, I don't think you can necessarily count on cooperation from the person next to you. If you haven't purchased two seats and someone decides to sit next to you and put it down, I think you will be stuck with that.
Barb

 

[Shasta]

My question still stands, if it were to be mentioned, would they tell me at the gate or after I am seated?

Thank you,

 

[NCRedding]

On the episode of Airline where I saw it happen, they noticed at the ticket check-in area. I believe they are trained to notice this in advance and then mention it before boarding.

 

[Mykelogan]

My question still stands, if it were to be mentioned, would they tell me at the gate or after I am seated?

Thank you,

In my experience and from my understanding is that should happen right at the ticket desk when you check your luggage. I would assume if you checked your bags curbside, printed your own boarding pass and headed right to the gate, you may be approached at the gate but I am not sure.

I knew I would be made to buy two if I did not do it in advance, so I made sure to book two seats at the time of my reservation. I found the SW staff was very discreet and helpful. They also made sure I knew how to request the refund of my second seat if my flights were not full. But that was just my experience!

Mike

 

[Shasta]

Ok, last follow up question I promise. Do you know how they determine the price of the second ticket. I bought in at the $39 SALE rate. If I were forced to buy another ticket, would it be normal rate or my $39 rate?

Thanks for all the help, This forum has been very helpful!

 

[DebbieB]

I remember seeing on Airline that they made the person who was disputing it get on the plane early and see if he fit in the seat or not. He fit with the armrest down so he was not required to buy the second seat.

 

[Mykelogan]

Ok, last follow up question I promise. Do you know how they determine the price of the second ticket. I bought in at the $39 SALE rate. If I were forced to buy another ticket, would it be normal rate or my $39 rate?

Thanks for all the help, This forum has been very helpful!

I think it would be that price if purchased in advance but at the gate I am not sure. Think below is to Southwest's policy and from that page you can get an FAQ about the policy too. Hope it helps a little! And ask all the follow up questions you need to, I think discussing this issue helps those who might not be able to ask the questions themselves. Flying with peace of mind and as comfortable as possible is something we all need!

Southwest Customer of Size Policy

Bye!
Mike