Pooh Sized on SW Airlines

[MKCP5]

So I am pooh sized..3X in most things. I am flying SW at the end of the month and am full of anxiety that they are going to make me buy a second seat on the plane and humiliate me in front of everyone. The last time I flew SW I could barely get the belt fastened. I am afraid to ask for an extender because then I think I will be drawing attention to the fact that I am big. Any thoughts?

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am also pooh sized and need an extender, depending on the airplane, some I don't. Let's get real, they can look at you and see you are pooh sized. I really wouldn't worry about it.

I am flying with DD in a few weeks, not on southwest and I am not worried. I haven't had an issues fitting in the airline seats.

 

[ljcraw555]

My sister works for Southwest and has for a long time. She said if you look like you need an extender, they will give it to you. She said they won't make you purchase an extra seat. Per the FAA they are no longer allowed to charge you for an extra seat or extender. She said if you want an extra seat, you can purchase it, but they will not make you.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[mm1971]

So I am pooh sized..3X in most things. I am flying SW at the end of the month and am full of anxiety that they are going to make me buy a second seat on the plane and humiliate me in front of everyone. The last time I flew SW I could barely get the belt fastened. I am afraid to ask for an extender because then I think I will be drawing attention to the fact that I am big. Any thoughts?

I am not a 3X, but certainly no small (2XT). We fly SW all the time and have never had any issues. Depending on your neighbors, it can be tight I supposed. I don't believe that they can charge you for an extra seat. They will give you an extender for the seatbelt if needed.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I fly SWA monthly. I actually purchased a seatbelt extender on eBay that I discreetly kept in my bag last year after experiencing all different sizes of belts. Make sure you search for SWA, because the belts are not all the same.

I have only been questioned one time about whether or not I could comfortably fit in the seat, and that was at my home airport by the same woman who had just checked me in for a flight two weeks earlier.

I had since lost 51.2 lbs, but I still keep my extender in my carry on just in case.

 

[Sandi]

Southwest has a good website and a list of FAQs for customers of size:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=extra_seat_policy

The answer to the question about what to expect at the airport is of particular help:

Customers of size who purchase one or more seats in advance may check in online or through an E-Ticket Check-in kiosk1 to reserve their boarding positions, but they must see a Customer Service Agent at the gate to receive a Seat Reserved Document. Customers of size who prefer not to purchase an additional seat in advance have the option of purchasing just one seat and then discussing their seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at their departure gate. If it is determined that a second (or third) seat is needed, they will be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat(s).​

I think the gate agent would appreciate the customer taking the initiative to ask about this before boarding begins so that things can be addressed.

 

[Gracie09]

My sister works for Southwest and has for a long time. She said if you look like you need an extender, they will give it to you. She said they won't make you purchase an extra seat. Per the FAA they are no longer allowed to charge you for an extra seat or extender. She said if you want an extra seat, you can purchase it, but they will not make you. Have a wonderful time!

I'm sorry but that may be southwests policy but it's not an FAA regulation. You can't use your own extender per FAA regulation but a second seat policy is up to the airlines

 

[buzz2400]

a few years back we were sitting waiting for our plane and I saw a sw employee go up to a pooh size person and I can only guess it was to discretely talk about this. It was very discrete but I am pooh size so I noticed it.

 

[Straitlover]

If you don't want to wait, you can buy the second seat, and you will be refunded the money after your flight. That is their policy now. If you wait but need the second seat and the flight is full, you could get bumped.

 

[cakebakr]

Southwest is the most friendly airline for Pooh size customers! I fly with my FIL often who is Pooh-size. We purchase an extra seat knowing that Southwest will refund it immediately after the flight. When we get to the airport gate we go up and get a preboarding card, which allows us on right after the wheelchair boarders, and gives some privacy to ask the flight attendant right away for a seat belt extender. When the regular passengers start boarding, we are all settled in our seats. The flight attendant knows we have purchased the extra seat, so there will not be a person sitting in the middle.

After flying I call customer service and in about 5 minutes they refund the extra ticket price back to the credit card. It really is easy and painless and I very much prefer it, rather than going through a fearful experience at the airport that somehow he will be 'found out' and humiliated. The only cost is that the money for the second ticket is tied up until its refunded, but its well worth it to us!

Hope this helps.

 

[MKCP5]

Southwest has a good website and a list of FAQs for customers of size:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=extra_seat_policy

The answer to the question about what to expect at the airport is of particular help:

Customers of size who purchase one or more seats in advance may check in online or through an E-Ticket Check-in kiosk1 to reserve their boarding positions, but they must see a Customer Service Agent at the gate to receive a Seat Reserved Document. Customers of size who prefer not to purchase an additional seat in advance have the option of purchasing just one seat and then discussing their seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at their departure gate. If it is determined that a second (or third) seat is needed, they will be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat(s).​

I think the gate agent would appreciate the customer taking the initiative to ask about this before boarding begins so that things can be addressed.

Thanks very much!

 

[MKCP5]

Southwest is the most friendly airline for Pooh size customers! I fly with my FIL often who is Pooh-size. We purchase an extra seat knowing that Southwest will refund it immediately after the flight. When we get to the airport gate we go up and get a preboarding card, which allows us on right after the wheelchair boarders, and gives some privacy to ask the flight attendant right away for a seat belt extender. When the regular passengers start boarding, we are all settled in our seats. The flight attendant knows we have purchased the extra seat, so there will not be a person sitting in the middle.

After flying I call customer service and in about 5 minutes they refund the extra ticket price back to the credit card. It really is easy and painless and I very much prefer it, rather than going through a fearful experience at the airport that somehow he will be 'found out' and humiliated. The only cost is that the money for the second ticket is tied up until its refunded, but its well worth it to us!

Hope this helps.

thanks to you too!!!

 

[poohfriend77]

Southwest is the most friendly airline for Pooh size customers! I fly with my FIL often who is Pooh-size. We purchase an extra seat knowing that Southwest will refund it immediately after the flight. When we get to the airport gate we go up and get a preboarding card, which allows us on right after the wheelchair boarders, and gives some privacy to ask the flight attendant right away for a seat belt extender. When the regular passengers start boarding, we are all settled in our seats. The flight attendant knows we have purchased the extra seat, so there will not be a person sitting in the middle.

After flying I call customer service and in about 5 minutes they refund the extra ticket price back to the credit card. It really is easy and painless and I very much prefer it, rather than going through a fearful experience at the airport that somehow he will be 'found out' and humiliated. The only cost is that the money for the second ticket is tied up until its refunded, but its well worth it to us!

Hope this helps.

Why do they refund the money? I ask that in all seriousness, not being snarky at all. My mother is in a similar situation and doesn't like to fly for fear of being called out on needed a second seat. I guess it never occurred to me that she could book two seats (and board early -- that seems like a big perk!) and still get the money back. What do you say when you call to ask for the refund?

 

[poohfriend77]

Why do they refund the money? I ask that in all seriousness, not being snarky at all. My mother is in a similar situation and doesn't like to fly for fear of being called out on needed a second seat. I guess it never occurred to me that she could book two seats (and board early -- that seems like a big perk!) and still get the money back. What do you say when you call to ask for the refund?

Oh, now I see the above post quoting SW website. I guess they offer "complimentary" extra seats to guests who need them... but you'd have to pay to reserve it in advance, rather than hoping for it at the gate. It sounds like a good policy to me!

 

[SamSam]

Southwest's policy used to be that they would refund the extra seat only if the flight was not full. In other words, if there was one seat empty, you could call and get a refund for your extra seat. It's very nice of them to offer the refund regardless of whether the flight is full or not.

 

[MAJPLO]

Southwest is the most friendly airline for Pooh size customers! I fly with my FIL often who is Pooh-size. We purchase an extra seat knowing that Southwest will refund it immediately after the flight. When we get to the airport gate we go up and get a preboarding card, which allows us on right after the wheelchair boarders, and gives some privacy to ask the flight attendant right away for a seat belt extender. When the regular passengers start boarding, we are all settled in our seats. The flight attendant knows we have purchased the extra seat, so there will not be a person sitting in the middle.

After flying I call customer service and in about 5 minutes they refund the extra ticket price back to the credit card. It really is easy and painless and I very much prefer it, rather than going through a fearful experience at the airport that somehow he will be 'found out' and humiliated. The only cost is that the money for the second ticket is tied up until its refunded, but its well worth it to us!

Hope this helps.

I wonder also what you say when you call to request the refund. My husband isn't pooh sized but has a lot of anxiety about having someone next to him and not having enough room. Does this policy mean we could buy an extra seat and then get our money back? I'm just wondering how they know that your refund request is legitimate and not just wanting extra leg room?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I wonder also what you say when you call to request the refund. My husband isn't pooh sized but has a lot of anxiety about having someone next to him and not having enough room. Does this policy mean we could buy an extra seat and then get our money back? I'm just wondering how they know that your refund request is legitimate and not just wanting extra leg room?

Buying an extra seat on Southwest doesn't give you any extra leg room.

If your husband isn't large enough to have to buy an extra seat, he is not going to get a refund if he buys an extra seat and he doesn't need it.

I suggest flying an airline with a plane with a 2 seat configuration on at least one side, so he won't be sitting by a stranger.

 

[okeydokey]

Buying an extra seat on Southwest doesn't give you any extra leg room.

If your husband isn't large enough to have to buy an extra seat, he is not going to get a refund if he buys an extra seat and he doesn't need it.

I suggest flying an airline with a plane with a 2 seat configuration on at least one side, so he won't be sitting by a stranger.

If you call customer service on the phone, how would they know? Seems like a policy ripe for abuse. Who wouldn't want an empty seat next to them. I figure if you need to have another seat next to you, then you should pay for the extra seat.

 

[wendow]

I wonder also how this doesn't get abused. We currently have no lap babies but when we have, I would have loved to have an empty seat rather than hold a baby the entire flight. How do the flight attendants know you've purchased that seat for being pooh size?

 

[lauti]

You also don't get a refund if the flight is full I don't think, so it's not a sure bet.