Southwest Airlines and Pooh Size

[jjarman]

We are traveling on SWA in January and my brother is very much Pooh sized. He has no problems in restaurant seating, movie theaters, etc. but we are worried about the airline. Does SWA make you pay extra if you are larger? He would be sitting with one of his children who are small so no problem that way.

 

[Tara]

We are traveling on SWA in January and my brother is very much Pooh sized. He has no problems in restaurant seating, movie theaters, etc. but we are worried about the airline. Does SWA make you pay extra if you are larger? He would be sitting with one of his children who are small so no problem that way.

Southwest's customer of size policy stipulates:

Customers who are unable to lower both armrests (the definitive boundary between seats) and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seating should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel. This purchase serves as a notification of a special seating need and allows us to process a refund of the additional seating cost after travel (provided the flight doesn’t oversell).

So you pay for the second seat but if the flight isn't full, the extra seat is refunded. More info here: http://southwest.com/travel_center/***_guidelines.html

There's also an FAQ on the matter here: http://southwest.com/travel_center/***_qa.html
I have no direct experience with this but have heard that Southwest tends to enforce this policy in a respectful, discreet way.

 

[Tiggerific711]

My DH is pooh-sized too and has never had a problem on SW. He does get a seatbelt extender from the flight attendant when we board.

 

[jjarman]

Thanks. he should be able to put the armrests down with no problem.

 

[rwdavis2]

I am in the same boat but don't have a problem on SW. I always get an aisle seat and am able to lean out some if necessary.
BD

 

[plutoNme]

Ok I can answer this pretty good. My dad is very pooh size, always buys an extra seat and if the flight is not full they refund his money. We flew in October for our cruise and I had no problem with my husband and son in the same row and I as well is pooh size. I do need an extender. I would be afraid if I did not go with my family and worry about the others sitting next to me. Now when I flew in March. I went to get a preboarding cast since I was in a walking cast, the lady stated for the saftey of yourself and others it maybe wise to purchase another seat. I told her I was fine and just flew 5 months prior at the same weight and had no issues. Again, I would be afraid if I ever flew by myself.

 

[RainbowWit]

I'm 5'4 and 320 pounds and am fine on SWA. I do get a seatbelt extender but I have never had to purchase another seat.

 

[Pinnie]

Yesterday a gentleman and his wife were on our SWA flight and chose the EXIT row seats and asked for extenders. The FA politely told them that they had to move because *** were not allowed in the EXIT rows.

pinnie

 

[Pinnie]

Yesterday a gentleman and his wife were on our SWA flight and chose the EXIT row seats and asked for extenders. The FA politely told them that they had to move because *** were not allowed in the EXIT rows.

pinnie

Not sure why my abbreviation for Customer of Size was **** out, but that IS the what SWA calls it.

pinnie