Pooh Sized on SW Airlines

[horseshowmom]

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.

I did the same thing after being on a flight where the seatbelt was snug several years ago. Oddly enough, I've never been on another plane where I felt the need to use it, but I like having it just in case.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm a 3x on bottom. I fit in the Airtran seat just fine with no spill over into the seat next to me and didn't need a seat extender.

Since Airtran and SW are often using the same planes now, you'll most likely be fine.

You can look up seat sizes on seatguru.com to compare the space for seats on the type of aircraft you will be flying I believe. It's been awhile since I've checked out that website.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

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?

Read Southwest's policy. The process is explained there:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/

You must personally speak with a customer rep.

 

[wendow]

Read Southwest's policy. The process is explained there:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/

You must personally speak with a customer rep.

Very generous policy on the part of SWA!

Thanks for posting that link. To clarify, I'd never in a million years abuse their policy but I was curious how it isn't being abused. Now I know

 

[MKCP5]

I did the same thing after being on a flight where the seatbelt was snug several years ago. Oddly enough, I've never been on another plane where I felt the need to use it, but I like having it just in case.

That is a huge piece of it for me. Just feeling okay about it, and getting rid of the anxiety. Got my extender in the mail today. Hopefully I wont need it!

 

[MKCP5]

I'm a 3x on bottom. I fit in the Airtran seat just fine with no spill over into the seat next to me and didn't need a seat extender.

Since Airtran and SW are often using the same planes now, you'll most likely be fine.

You can look up seat sizes on seatguru.com to compare the space for seats on the type of aircraft you will be flying I believe. It's been awhile since I've checked out that website.

Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That is a huge piece of it for me. Just feeling okay about it, and getting rid of the anxiety. Got my extender in the mail today. Hopefully I wont need it!

Southwest's Customers of Size policy specifically states only seatbelt extenders provided by them may be used on their flights.

 

[ckpoodge]

I'm glad to see that SW has changed their policy. It used to be mandatory that a 2nd seat would need to be purchased, and then refunded if the plane is not full.

I might have to give SW another chance.

 

[brekin67]

I am pooh sized and do not like the new policy. It is too easy to be abused by people who think they are pooh sized, would like extra space, extra personal space, etc. Now, the flight attendants will have to tell people they are too skinny for a 2nd seat.
My husband would say he is a customer of size to get the 2nd seat. He is 6'4 and 245lbs.
SWA will change the system again for the abuse, then I am worried true people of size will not have what they need.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am pooh sized and do not like then new policy. It is too easy to be abused by people who think they are pooh sized, would like extra space, extra personal space, etc. Now, they flight attendants will have to tell people they are too skinny for a 2nd seat.
My husband would say he is a customer of size to get the 2nd seat. He is 6'4 and 245lbs.
SWA will change the system again for the abuse, then I am worried true people of size will not have what they need.

Did you read the policy? Flight attendants have nothing to do with size determination; this is done by a customer service rep at the gate.

 

[brekin67]

Did you read the policy? Flight attendants have nothing to do with size determination; this is done by a customer service rep at the gate.

Flight attendant or Customer Service Rep. I don't really care who it is, an employee has to gauge now if the person is fat enough or too skinny.

 

[bedogged]

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 3X at the bottom as well and have always been able to fasten the seat belt. I do have bad news for you. Recently SW has been changing the seats in their planes to a smaller size so that they can get more seats in. I flew last month with the old seats going and the new seats coming back. I was still able to fasten the seat belt on both, but the seats coming back were a bit smaller.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Flight attendant or Customer Service Rep. I don't really care who it is, an employee has to gauge now if the person is fat enough or too skinny.

Yes, and they must have a criteria for determining who is eligible to participate in this program. I can assure you Southwest isn't anxious to lose a revenue producing seat for anyone who says they can't fit in one seat. Do you think it would be better for this program to be based only on self-selection? Personally, I don't think too many people are going to identify themselves as obese just to get a free second seat on a plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am 3X at the bottom as well and have always been able to fasten the seat belt. I do have bad news for you. Recently SW has been changing the seats in their planes to a smaller size so that they can get more seats in. I flew last month with the old seats going and the new seats coming back. I was still able to fasten the seat belt on both, but the seats coming back were a bit smaller.

This isn't quite correct; the width of Southwest's seats has not changed. On some planes, the legroom has been reduced. Good discussion here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...-capacity-reduce-fuel-costs-article-1.1486440

 

[jenniy122]

My dad was pooh-sized (4X mens), and has flown SW before. He needs a belt extender on any airline, he just signals to the flight attendant and they bring one, he doesn't even have to say anything or bring obvious attention to people around him about it. I know it's hard, but you need what you need and there's no sense in getting embarrassed about it. As far as second seat, he has never been told he's needed one on any airline. He does like to sit on the aisle to stretch out his legs, but he has bad knees and ankles.

 

[bedogged]

This isn't quite correct; the width of Southwest's seats has not changed. On some planes, the legroom has been reduced. Good discussion here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...-capacity-reduce-fuel-costs-article-1.1486440

I can only say that I noticed a difference both in width, comfort and legroom.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I can only say that I noticed a difference both in width, comfort and legroom.

I think you believe that - because you read somewhere that the seats were smaller - but there simply is not a change in the width.

The 737 did not become a skinnier plane which needed skinnier seats!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I can only say that I noticed a difference both in width, comfort and legroom.

Sorry, but seat width did not change.

 

[bedogged]

I think you believe that - because you read somewhere that the seats were smaller - but there simply is not a change in the width.

The 737 did not become a skinnier plane which needed skinnier seats!

I flew in the new seats BEFORE I ever read anything about the change. Have you or any of my critics actually flown in the new seats?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I flew in the new seats BEFORE I ever read anything about the change. Have you or any of my critics actually flown in the new seats?

Yes!
So I know what I am talking about. I fly SW 2-4 times a month and I can tell you that the width of the seats has not changed.

Had two flights on Monday one with the new seats and one with the old seats. No difference in width.

Why can't you admit you are wrong?