Pooh size on Southwest

[hbsprite]

A little more info on this:

I have flown Southwest 5 times and each time purchased an extra seat. Despite 2 of the flights being completely full (not one empty seat on the plane, other than the one I purchased) I still got my money refunded for the extra seat. The last time it happened, i asked how they determine whether I am eligible for a refund. The employee told me that the only way I WOULD NOT get a refund is if the flight was in an oversell situation: where they are asking people at the gate to volunteer to give up their seat. She said that while the flight may have appeared full, a lot of the seats were filled by "Non-rev" passengers (off duty airline employees, people flying for free, etc) and that this did not affect my eligibility for a refund.

I have been nothing but pleased with Southwest's policy. Every time I fly, I buy an extra seat. Because of that, I get priority boarding (you board after business select, but before everyone else), plenty of room to stretch out, and I have yet to actually pay for that extra seat when everything is said and done.

SW has a policy that if you buy a second seat on SW and the flight is not full, then they will refund the cost of the 2nd seat. Pete has mentioned this on the Podcast a couple of times in the past, and I believe John and Kevin have also.

Call SW reservations at 1 800 I FLY SWA ( 1 800 435 9792) and ask them. They are the nicest people of any airline I fly, (50 R/T's a year) on the phone and on the ground and theywill definitely let you know your options. BTW I'm 5'6" and 250+ and have never had an issue.

Here's a copy from there FAQ section on customers of size. Might as well get the info direct from the horse's mouth.

Customers of Size Policy

Guidelines for Customers of Size

Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) should proactively book the needed number of seats prior to travel. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats and measures 17 inches in width. The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification to Southwest of a special seating need. Most importantly, it ensures that all Customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating. You may contact us for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel, provided the flight does not oversell (which means having more confirmed Customers than seats on the aircraft).

Have a great trip whomever you choose.

 

[NotUrsula]

SWA actually has the BEST policy in this regard, it is fair and generous to everyone, including the large, and those who sit next to the large. The extra-cost of the pre-purchased seat ends up being refunded about 95% of the time, and everyone is guaranteed to be comfortable with the space they need.

I'm not a thin person, but I can easily sit in a SWA seat, and unless I'm seated next to someone very broad-shouldered, it doesn't feel at all tight.

By contrast, I was on a Delta regional jet a few months ago when a couple came onboard last-minute. They were both large in both height and weight, and the FA had to shuffle passengers around because the pilot needed to balance the load due to their size. I was seated directly behind them for the flight, and the gentleman was so large that he spent the entire flight with half of his body out in the aisle; he was sitting ON the armrest. (To be clear, this man wasn't weirdly obese, but he was about 6'5" and probably weighed around 375 lbs; he was tall enough that seated ON the armrest his head was about 6 inches from the top bulkhead; the flight attendant was the same height standing up.) His companion was a taller lady but not as large, and she also was having trouble fitting in the seat, so while he sat on the aisle armrest she lifted the second armrest and scooted away from the center toward the aisle. The way that the man was sitting, the aisle was entirely blocked, so the FA had to hand our drinks to us over his shoulder.

For takeoff and landing the FA had to get both of them to sit IN their seats and buckle up, and she was trying desperately to diffuse the anger of the third passenger in their row, who quite honestly looked like he was crushed against the side bulkhead. SWA would not have boarded them under these circumstances, and EVERYONE would have been more comfortable; after all it was neither pleasant nor safe for that man to spend two hours sitting on an armrest.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I have never seen them enforce this rule except for on the aisle.

Yep...it's a real rule. I've been on many, many flights where it's included in the announcements.

My brother is a flight attendant and I texted him to confirm.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yep...it's a real rule. I've been on many, many flights where it's included in the announcements.

My brother is a flight attendant and I texted him to confirm.

You are correct, it is a rule, but there are a couple of exception situations that I know of. One of them is that if a paid Customer of Size is sitting across both seats and the armrest is blocked by the person's back, then it may stay up. Also, if you have a child safety seat that is strapped in that is blocking the armrest in the up position, that's normally OK, too. I think that the situation in those cases is that the armrest is solidly blocked from coming down suddenly.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We travel out of KC on SWA, and our flights to Orlando are usually oversold. I am pooh sized, most of my weight in the hips, and have had qualms about flying with SW since this policy has been enforced. I do have to use a seat extender, but fit in the seat with the arm rest down - never has it been an issue, and I ask the FA for the extender. I will say, I don't think I would want to fly SWA for longer than the 2-1/2 hours it takes us to get to Orlando, as I begin to get very uncomfortable.

I have often thought about buying an extra seat, but it is my understanding that you will likely have your extra seat revoked if the flight is oversold? Since ours nearly always are, I felt it was pointless.

I don't want to sound defensive, or start a debate, but I do want to point out that it is not only us fat people who might encroach on others. My DD and I have flown with many a thin person who took up part of our seat and leg room with simple bad manners, long legs, broad shoulders, large carry on, excess electronics, etc. We grin and bear it, figuring it is the price we pay for getting a discount ticket.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

A little more info on this:

I have flown Southwest 5 times and each time purchased an extra seat. Despite 2 of the flights being completely full (not one empty seat on the plane, other than the one I purchased) I still got my money refunded for the extra seat. The last time it happened, i asked how they determine whether I am eligible for a refund. The employee told me that the only way I WOULD NOT get a refund is if the flight was in an oversell situation: where they are asking people at the gate to volunteer to give up their seat. She said that while the flight may have appeared full, a lot of the seats were filled by "Non-rev" passengers (off duty airline employees, people flying for free, etc) and that this did not affect my eligibility for a refund.

I have been nothing but pleased with Southwest's policy. Every time I fly, I buy an extra seat. Because of that, I get priority boarding (you board after business select, but before everyone else), plenty of room to stretch out, and I have yet to actually pay for that extra seat when everything is said and done.

I totally agree with you... Not aiming at anyone on this thread but it never ceases to amaze me how many times this question comes up. SW almost always has the best rates available, and has an awesome policy for Pooh sized people.

I figure with as much as a WDW vacation costs, I can certainly pony up and pay for an extra seat with the possibility for a full refund. I know most of the time I will get a refund, but if not, at least I, as well as the people around me, were comfortable on the flight.

And for the record, if I wanted, I could reasonably fit in my own seat. I just choose not to for the same reasons you described.

 

[jm-mom]

I am a pretty large woman. I can fit between the armrests as more of my weight is midsection belly rather than hip and rear. I have been asked in the past by SW employees if I am aware of the size policy. I simply tell them I am and that I can fit just fine, not comfortably, but between the armrests with them down. We are going to be flying SWA again soon and as always, I worry about the seating situation. I guess I'm hoping for some reassurance that I shouldn't have a problem. I use a wheelchair at the airport and board with those people as I have trouble walking to the plane. Once onboard I sit in a window seat and my young and very small daughter sits next to me. Her older sits on the aisle and their dad sits across the aisle. I guess my concern is I'll get that one "by the book" employee who insists I buy an extra seat. Money isn't the issue, it's more of what would I do with that extra seat? My girls will be next to me and there's no way they would sit anywhere else because of total fear of flying.

Thanks for your input. I'm a very nervous flyer myself and not having to feel so much stress about the seating would help.

 

[Huff]

I'm one that wishes other airlines would enforce the policies most airlines have that are very similar to SW's. I do not want anyone smashed up against me in my own seat nor would I do that to anyone else. Its a fair policy to enforce.

Overall I have had far better customer service with SW than any other airline. They're friendlier, joke around and just more relaxing to have on board.

On our last flight we had to transfer both directions. So, flew on 4 different planes. Some had far more room than others. SW uses all 737's I believe but there are different versions. Some longer with more seats, others with slightly different seating arrangements.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm one that wishes other airlines would enforce the policies most airlines have that are very similar to SW's. I do not want anyone smashed up against me in my own seat nor would I do that to anyone else. Its a fair policy to enforce..

Some aggrieved passenger has to kibitz them prior to departure.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some aggrieved passenger has to kibitz them prior to departure.

Inappropriate* usage. Such information is neither unwanted advice nor gossip nor informal chat.

It's one thing to adapt the English language to force words to mean what one wants; annoying but tolerable. But please DON'T misuse foreign words. If unsure of the actual meaning, use English.

*not a board violation