Southwest Air & Big Folks

[rosiecorolla]

Hello,

Several months back, SW Air was on the news about charging extra for overweight passengers.

Hope this does not turn out to be a heated discussion, as I don't intend it that way-- I am just wondering if anyone of size has experience flying southwest lately and if they were charged more because of their size.

Thanks,

Rosie

 

[Lewisc]

If you don't fit in one seat SW makes you pay for a second seat. If the flight isn't sold out they will give you a refund.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/additional_seat.html

Other airlines have similar policies, they just haven't gotten the publicity.

You can call SW and they'll give you an idea as the the dimensions of their seats.

 

[darlene walker]

I was watching Airline on A&E Monday night, which was based on SWA and they did make an overweight man buy 2 seats for his flight. They told him he needed to purchase another ticket when he checked in.
Darlene

 

[Straitlover]

I saw that episode of Airline, too. They call it a COS situation (customer of size), and the supervisor makes the call. However, they did say that if the plane takes off with any empty seats, you can get a refund of the extra seat, at least that's what they told this guy.

Felt sorry for the fella; his car had been stolen and he had missed an earlier flight then this came up. He was just wanting to get home!

 

[chager]

I'm not sure what they consider big, but when we flew in June my dad didn't have to pay anything extra. I can't say for sure what he weighs but I think he wears a 50 or 52 waist in pants. (Dh wears 46 and I know dad is slightly bigger) I'm guessing dad has to be at least 350lbs maybe more. Hope that helps.

 

[Lewisc]

If you can easily fit in a standard movie theater seat you should be OK.

If it's close you might call SW and they will give you the actual dimmensions.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Not really germaine, but once when flying South West, I went ahead and purchased an extra seat for myself. Although I am fat, I fit into the standard seats fine, and can use the standard belt, etc, but it is my height that makes it really uncomfortable for me, my legs are extremely long and it is hard to tuck myself into that little space and sometimes I physically cannot get my legs in and have to move them to the side.....anywho, the guy at the ticket counter argued with me for about 10 minutes, telling me I DIDN'T need the extra seat--even though I wanted it!! Go figure!