Pooh Sized on SW Airlines

[KimK2006]

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?

Are you not going to drop it until she admits she was wrong? They seemed smaller to her. You have given your point. Drop it!

 

[bedogged]

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?

Because I do not believe that I am. I do not think that you are taking all considerations into account. It may well be that the seats measure exactly the same, but as a result of the change in seats, the arm placement may be different or the belt length may not be the same. I can only report that the seat seemed smaller in width to me. Also, for the first time in my flying SW, I was unable to pull the tray down all the way.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Because I do not believe that I am. I do not think that you are taking all considerations into account. It may well be that the seats measure exactly the same, but as a result of the change in seats, the arm placement may be different or the belt length may not be the same. I can only report that the seat seemed smaller in width to me. Also, for the first time in my flying SW, I was unable to pull the tray down all the way.

Not being able to pull the seat tray down all the way has nothing to do with the width of the seat. Was the tray table broken or were you unable to pull it down because part of your body was blocking it?

Maybe you just ate more than usual on vacation. It's a time when many people gain weight.

 

[LoriKutchey]

I flew to miami last Thursday on delta and flew southwest on Monday to Nashville and couldn't believe seats were so much smaller on southwest maybe the less legroom was claustrophobic but southwest seats SEEMED smaller. I am 5'7" and 130 lb. So not overweight and I was uncomfortable.

 

[bedogged]

Not being able to pull the seat tray down all the way has nothing to do with the width of the seat. Was the tray table broken or were you unable to pull it down because part of your body was blocking it?

Maybe you just ate more than usual on vacation. It's a time when many people gain weight.

I really don't think you need to be offensive or insulting to me just because my viewpoint is different than yours. This is a thread about being "pooh sized." You really seem vested in this question of seat size. If you are not "pooh sized" yourself, how can you possibly tell about the width of the seat in regard to larger passengers?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I really don't think you need to be offensive or insulting to me just because my viewpoint is different than yours. This is a thread about being "pooh sized." You really seem vested in this question of seat size. If you are not "pooh sized" yourself, how can you possibly tell about the width of the seat in regard to larger passengers?

It was not my intent to insult anyone; I simply stated the fact that Southwest's seat width of 17 inches has not changed, despite your personal perception that it has. I don't care about overweight passengers as long as they don't take up part of my seat.

If you want to believe seat width has changed, that's okay. It just isn't true. Enough said.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did the seat in question have an armrest that did not raise and the tray table folded to the side and down into the armrest? That style of seat has a little narrower seating space.

THe airline will have egg on its face if it judged that someone did not really need the two seats he purchased if the person sat down and did not quite fit in one seat.

 

[FergieTCat]

Nothing to add, just an observation.

If the airlines would make the armrest by the window moveable, it would eliminate a lot of issues. It wouldn't bother anyone else and it would create a few more inches if the passenger needed it. No need to charge extra, just sell the window seats on a first-come-first-serve basis as is currently done.

 

[swilshire]

I didn't read the other responses, but I fly a lot and notice that flight attendants on all the airlines are very discrete about providing belt extenders. They usually wait to be ask to avoid offending. Since Southwest is always top notch with their service, I'm sure the situation would be handled in a sensitive manner.

Sheila

 

[MKCP5]

Well I am back. I had mixed results. I am incredibly glad that I brought my own seatbelt extender. I did not come close to being able to fasten belt and had to have the extender. I could get the armrest down, but it was very squished. Two of my three flights were fully sold out with literally not one extra seat on them, so if I had purchased extra seats "just in case" I would have been out an additional $315 (if they gave me the sale price I booked at)

 

[DisneyWisher]

Well I am back. I had mixed results. I am incredibly glad that I brought my own seatbelt extender. I did not come close to being able to fasten belt and had to have the extender. I could get the armrest down, but it was very squished. Two of my three flights were fully sold out with literally not one extra seat on them, so if I had purchased extra seats "just in case" I would have been out an additional $315 (if they gave me the sale price I booked at)

you were mislead. I'll tell my story. I actually live near Disney traveling out of MCO and going to Texas. I had heard and read both stories, that SWA will refund even if flight is full and they will only refund if not fully booked. I had read a blogger's story and the comments. Since someone on that blog provided the number to SWA customer relations dept I called. I originally bought my seat back in June for December travel. The woman I spoke with said many are confused. It is now SWA policy to refund that extra seat even if flight is full or when checking in you can request that second seat. Because you have 2 seats you get to pre-board, on 3 of the flights we sat in first row loved that got to stretch my long legs out. Only problem is your purse has to be in overhead compartment during takeoff and landing. I arrived home on Monday, called today and got my refund. No problem at all. It turned out that I didn't need the extra seat I fit fine, didn't need extender though snug, I used it anyway for a bit of room. My mom and I met my aunt in San Antonio so for that flight I shared row with a stranger. He was happy we had the extra seat. More room. My flight started on a Thursday, I booked the extra seat 2 days before. They honored my original price $220, saying "we are refunding it anyway".

Moral of story if you think you need it book it. I've read comments about possible abuse, realize this system is computerized you are booking because of size or disability. If you lie you risk not being refunded. I'm sure anyone lying will not be refunded.

The blog i spoke of http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/flying-fat-on-southwest-airlines/

 

[DisneyWisher]

Southwest Airlines customer relations number 214-932-0333

 

[ancestry]

I'm overweight and am traveling on SW. Although after reading this thread I'm no longer worried about this.

My question is what exactly is pooh sized? When does one consider him or herself to be pooh sized?

I'm 5'9" and weight about 250 pounds (although I am currently trying to lose weight). I wear a size 20x at the moment. So far I have never needed a seat belt extender on any airline although I usually fly Jet Blue.

Would I be considered pooh sized?

 

[supersnoop]

The seats are 17" across. If that's too small, you need to purchase the extra seat. Buying an extra seats tells Southwest that they need to plan for that many seats to be full. After your flight, they will refund your money, even if the flight was oversold.

To quote their policy:
"Even if the flight experiences an oversale (having more confirmed Customers waiting to board than seats on the aircraft) we will refund the cost of the extra seat(s)."

 

[Calliaz]

You all should really read through their policy online. It has totally changed since their bad press a few years back. You can pre-book an extra seat online (instructions are on the website). You can then get a card to put on the seat to reserve it when you preboard. Even if the flight is oversold, they won't take your seat. When everything is done, they'll refund the money. It is very, very generous. The only time you need to involve a gate agent is to get your "reserved" card. That is all if you do it ahead of time so they can plan to have the seat available. If you wait until the gate, you may have a different experience.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I'm overweight and am traveling on SW. Although after reading this thread I'm no longer worried about this.

My question is what exactly is pooh sized? When does one consider him or herself to be pooh sized?

I'm 5'9" and weight about 250 pounds (although I am currently trying to lose weight). I wear a size 20x at the moment. So far I have never needed a seat belt extender on any airline although I usually fly Jet Blue.

Would I be considered pooh sized?

Part of it depends on how you carry the weight, some are pear shape, some like me weight spread all over. I'm 5'7 300 lbs. I just flew SWA and I fit fine between the arm rests. 1 of the planes I flew on the arm rests didn't move. My mother thought it was in the first row only. These arm rests are solid, the tray table actually pulls out from inside them. I fit fine but we did enjoy the extra room of an empty seat between us. My mom is 5'2, 140 lbs. not pooh size at all. If you think you might feel comfortable with an extra seat you can always talk to counter agent. Everyone was great. Didn't feel judge, the original agent actually gave my extra on the original seat confirmation not on the extra seat confirmation. I got an email day of flight saying I missed my flight. Called CR and it wasn't a problem. If you get 2 seats just make sure the agent gives you a second boarding pass that says seat reserved. You will place that on the empty seat.

FYI I flew home on Monday 12/9 (fun weather!!) the airport we flew out of had cancelled all morning flights due to weather. My second seat was never a problem. After all their bad press regarding customers of size they go above and beyond!! If someone was bumped due to my extra seat my mom would've moved over and we'd give it up, but it was a small airport and there were still seats available even the flight from San Antonio to Orlando was only 1/2 filled. Most rows were only 2 people.

 

[seashoreCM]

Well I am back. I had mixed results. I am incredibly glad that I brought my own seatbelt extender. I did not come close to being able to fasten belt and had to have the extender. I could get the armrest down, but it was very squished. Two of my three flights were fully sold out with literally not one extra seat on them, so if I had purchased extra seats "just in case" I would have been out an additional $315 (if they gave me the sale price I booked at)

That should be enough to get the refund for the extra seat assuming you purchased it. Raise the armrest immediately and you will start occupying the second seat and there is really no need for that little plastic card reserving the second seat. (You do need both boarding passes.)

A lot of the time these days I see every other seat taken on a subway train with molded seating sideways down each side of the car (here, Boston MBTA). The people sitting down are usually taking up part of the seat next to them.