Southwest Customers of Size

[grlzmom]

Yes. They will first ask for volunteers, but they will not deny boarding to anyone involuntarily to accomodate your boyfriend. You will have to take the next flight with available seats.

Anne

This is what I think we saw in June on SW from Baltimore to Orlando. Family of three, large mom, large dad, small child, maybe age five or six. Dont know what boarding letter they had. But, they were pulled aside, talked to and boarded LAST with the mom in tears. Finally some people agreed to switch seats around to accomodate them. BUT, Southwest was by no means making anyone move to accomodate them. I think people just finally moved so we could get the plane off the ground. The flight was completely full. Didnt get to hear the whole discussion but it was a big mess.

I certainly wont be happy if someone assumes that they will get the extra portion of my seat that I dont physically occupy. It doesnt seem right for someone to not want to be penalized for being larger but yet want to penalize someone who is smaller by taking a portion of their seat. I made the mistake once of enduring someone else taking up way too much of my seat on a four hour flight to Vegas. I wont be that nice again. The call light will be on before the plane fills up.

 

[dudspizza]

Keep in mind that this debate will have supporters on both side. In the end, it is about comfort for both large and small people.

Also, keep in mind that the rules are written for really large people. I am 6'1", 275. I have no problem fitting in a seat with the armrests down. I do not bump shoulders with anyone or "spill" into anyones seat.

They only people who should have fear are "wide" people who carry a lot of their weight in their hips.

I personally would check to see if they have a seat behind the counter to see if I fit and if SW asks me to buy another ticket to allow me a chance to prove I fit in the seat first, before putting me through all of the problem.

Let's face it, we live in an obese society. Obese folks, me included, need to lose weight for our own health's sake.

Duds

 

[ducklite]

Just for the heck of it, I measured the standard armed office chair I park my butt in every day. The seat is 17 inches wide by 17 1/2 inches deep. The arms are located on the side, although there is a gap of half an inch or so between airplane seats, and the arm rest takes a bit off each seat, my ruler estimates about 1/2 inch. So with the arm rest down, you've got give or take 16 inches of seat.

Next I enlisted the aid of a coworker who is a size 16, and carries it all in her hips (and a shout out to her for losing two dress sizes in the past few months--all due to excercise, she isn't dieting!). My coworker was able to sit in my chair without her hips touching the arm rests on either side.

Anne

 

[Princess Patti]

I still don't know how you can board the plane if all seats are full, not be able to fit into the seat, and not be able to pay for another seat. What happens then? They apparently do not prevent boarding but then again can't get the extra money for the seat if there isn't a seat available. So who will be inconvienced then. It seems like a double edge sword to me.

 

[jultomzach]

The airline "should" deny boarding to somebody that needs more than one seat and there is not another seat available. The airline probably will attempt to find a place for the "larger" passenger to sit and hope they find a customer that will not complain about not having access to their full seat(which they paid for). While one could argue that it is the ailine's greed to not lose a paid seat that drives them to find a place for the "larger" passenger, you did not call and say you needed 2 seats until the plane was already full. It is possible they are trying to accomodate YOU not them (at the incovienence of another unsuspecting customer).

 

[Princess Patti]

It is possible they are trying to accomodate YOU not them (at the incovienence of another unsuspecting customer.


I don't know who they are accomodating but it is just a bit ironic I think. The rule should be enforced all of the time not just when there are extra seats. I think that they should revisit this issue and changes some of the terms and conditions. So in if the plane is partially full you will be pulled aside by the ticket agent, but if it is a total sell out then the ticket agent won't pull you aside. That is just wrong !!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

PrincessPatti - PLEASE go read Southwest's Customer of Size Q & A page. They address pretty much every question that's been asked here, and some that haven't.

I thought if a passenger or passengers who might be required to purchase an extra seat or seats (one per Customer of Size, NOT one to share, per the policy) checked in online 24 hours in advance, arrived at the airport early and boarded legitimately with the "A" group, they would be assured of passage on that flight. Grlzmom's observation seems to belie my opinion. No matter - you seem to be intent by choice on waiting until all other passengers board, then expecting to board and not find seats.

My absolute solution? DON'T FLY SOUTHWEST. Period. While all airlines have similar policies, few enforce them to the extent Southwest does. Protest with your wallet.

 

[Princess Patti]

even if you are with A group and the plane is filled, if there are no seats, then there are no seats. I guess flying another airline is the true solution. I have read and reread all the Q&A for SWA.

 

[johde]

I had to deal with this situation last year. I was flying solo and was worried about my size. According to this site http://www.vacationidea.com/airlines/southwest_seats.html seats are 17.25" between the arm rests. I fit between the armrests but would have been more comfortable if I could have raised one. After getting seated, I noticed some aisle seat had arm rests that would raise into the aisle. It would probably need to stay down during takeoff and landings but if he's close that might help. What I did was get an "A" ticket because I wanted an Aisle then looked for a seat where I would cause the least inconvenience. I found a row with a mother against the window and a child of about 3 in the middle. And before any of you ask, no I didn't raise the arm rest between the 2 of us but having a little kid next to me did make the trip more comfortable. On the trip home, there was plenty of room and was able to have a seat with no one beside me. Assuming your friend fits in the seat, some of these suggestions might help get some extra room without causing anyone else some inconvenience.

 

[Princess Patti]

thanks Jeremy.

 

[JDietz40]

Keep in mind that this debate will have supporters on both side. In the end, it is about comfort for both large and small people.

Also, keep in mind that the rules are written for really large people. I am 6'1", 275. I have no problem fitting in a seat with the armrests down. I do not bump shoulders with anyone or "spill" into anyones seat.

They only people who should have fear are "wide" people who carry a lot of their weight in their hips.

I personally would check to see if they have a seat behind the counter to see if I fit and if SW asks me to buy another ticket to allow me a chance to prove I fit in the seat first, before putting me through all of the problem.

Let's face it, we live in an obese society. Obese folks, me included, need to lose weight for our own health's sake.

Duds

I am just about exactly your size have you flown on SW before and fit in their seats. It has been a few years since we have flown and never on SW but have been on ATA and Delta before with little or no problem and that was when I was carrying another 75 pounds.


John

 

[kaytieeldr]

even if you are with A group and the plane is filled, if there are no seats, then there are no seats. I guess flying another airline is the true solution. I have read and reread all the Q&A for SWA.

But if you are with group A, the plane CAN'T physically be filled when you board. Boarding passes are assigned in three groups - A, B and C. Preboards board first (disabled, and parents with YOUNG children). Then group A boards. There are still about fifty or sixty passengers holding "B" and "C" passes who can't get on the plane yet until Southwest allows the Bs, then the Cs, to board.

 

[heathriel]

Not true -

The plane could be full from the last stops.

Southwest planes stop multiple times. There might only be like 20 seats left available by the 2nd stop.

 

[gigi1313]

well, this sure was a lot of reading... with every other post basically being kaytieeldr saying the same thing over and over... swa's policy is what it is... it's the same as most airline's policy w/the only difference being that it is enforced more often...

both dh and i are "larger" people... we have successfully flown swa a few times in the last year or so... he's 6'4" and over 300lbs... i'm shorter and wear a women's size 24/26... i've sat next to my kids and strangers w/out any problems w/encroaching on another's space, w/armrests down... i think it is a small minority of people that will have a problem...

all that being said... just go... take your chances... and enjoy

 

[Pinnie]

Not true -

The plane could be full from the last stops.

Southwest planes stop multiple times. There might only be like 20 seats left available by the 2nd stop.

Yep.

This has happened to me on a trip from LAX to DTW. We stopped in Pheonix, then in St. Louis then on to DTW.

Happens all the time on the DTW -BNA - MCO rounte, too.

You could board that plane in BNA and it could be full of pax from MDW that picked up pax in DTW.

pinnie

 

[disneyldwjr]

Keep in mind that this debate will have supporters on both side. In the end, it is about comfort for both large and small people.

Also, keep in mind that the rules are written for really large people. I am 6'1", 275. I have no problem fitting in a seat with the armrests down. I do not bump shoulders with anyone or "spill" into anyones seat.

They only people who should have fear are "wide" people who carry a lot of their weight in their hips.

I personally would check to see if they have a seat behind the counter to see if I fit and if SW asks me to buy another ticket to allow me a chance to prove I fit in the seat first, before putting me through all of the problem.

Let's face it, we live in an obese society. Obese folks, me included, need to lose weight for our own health's sake.

Duds

duds,
I have yet to see a seat behind the counter.

 

[Princess Patti]

I do understand what everyone is saying about boarding with the "A" group and then being able to buy the second ticket. Even if I board with the A group they WILL NOT sell me a ticjet now since the flight is full.

Maybe I am missing something here that is exclusive to SWA. But if you can't buy a ticket then what do you do?

 

[ducklite]

I do understand what everyone is saying about boarding with the "A" group and then being able to buy the second ticket. Even if I board with the A group they WILL NOT sell me a ticjet now since the flight is full.

Maybe I am missing something here that is exclusive to SWA. But if you can't buy a ticket then what do you do?

I'd say you have two choices. First is to call SWA and explain teh situation, and ask if the price you paid can be honored on a lightly earlier or later flight on teh same day, and you will purchase the extra ticket as well.

Second would be to get there and hope for the best, but be prepared to be denied boarding.

I'd choose choice A. At least that way you've covered your bases and there are no surprises. Keep in mind that you are denied boarding, you'll be placed on the next flight with available seats--which could be a day or two later! You do'nt automatically get on the next flight--they will not bump anyone to accomodate you.

Anne

 

[DrTomorrow]

Not true -

The plane could be full from the last stops.

Southwest planes stop multiple times. There might only be like 20 seats left available by the 2nd stop.

Yep, this is the case for our flight home from MCO direct to PHX. It originates in Daytona (or Ft. Lauderdale, I forget) and most of the folks on it are heading to PHX. This is one of the few cases I've experienced where actually waiting in the "A" line is important, particularly since DW and I want to sit together....

 

[Princess Patti]

I did call SWA and explain the situation just now and again they were sold out for three days before and three days after, since it is the holiday season. The agent told me just to go to the airport and we would not be denied boarding. I hope she and the ticket agent at the airport are on the same page.

p.s. does anyone know how to determine were the SWA flights originate from.

Thanks again, but still concerned and apprehensive.