Tall passenger flying

[ktate82]

In Sept 2014, we are planning a trip with grandparents. Flying seems like it will be our best option. The main problem is my step-dad. He is 6ft 8in and on top of that, he has had several back surgeries leading to his spine being fused along with a rod. We usually fly SouthWest or AirTran. We would be willing to buy two seats, but the problem isn't that he needs two side by side (we could put him next to one of the kids for room), but one in front of the other. What are our options?

 

[bumbershoot]

Is this so that someone doesn't lean their seat back?

Why not just have one of you sit in front of him?

 

[wilkeliza]

In Sept 2014, we are planning a trip with grandparents. Flying seems like it will be our best option. The main problem is my step-dad. He is 6ft 8in and on top of that, he has had several back surgeries leading to his spine being fused along with a rod. We usually fly SouthWest or AirTran. We would be willing to buy two seats, but the problem isn't that he needs two side by side (we could put him next to one of the kids for room), but one in front of the other. What are our options?

Does JetBlue fly from near you? If so they have amazing leg room and for a small fee you can buy even more leg room. If that isn't an option book early and try to get the first row as the first row would have no one in front who would be able to lean back.

 

[SwimChicSQ]

Could you Pay for ECBI and have him sit in the very front row so he has plenty of legroom and no one leaning back into him

 

[Gracie09]

Could you Pay for ECBI and have him sit in the very front row so he has plenty of legroom and no one leaning back into him

By the time ECBI happens those seats are gone either with blue sleeves or business travelers. DH is 6'7" and has had some luck (not always) asking for a blue sleeve. However if he can't get the first row we can't sit with him because the other rows that he fit in are the exit rows. We hardly ever fly sw as a family any more. If its just the two of us we will split up if need be.

We usually fly Jet blue for extra leg room. This next trip we are going to try frontier and upgrade to their stretch seats. We also have had luck with the legacy carriers upgrading to first class when we check in at 24 hours. It cost some money but much less than if you bought the ticket outright.

Unfortunately the world is not made for the very tall.

 

[rwdavis2]

Is United an option? Their economy plus seats in an exit row have more leg room than first class.

 

[ktate82]

One of us could sit in front of him, but its not just that the seat can't lean back, he just won't fit. We fly SouthWest or AirTran via SW because we have lots of points. We had talked about him and my mom flying down on a different flight (like United), so we could pay the extra to upgrade him, but hate to split up like that. JetBlue doesn't fly from us. We will fly out of Indy. What is a blue sleeve?

 

[Gracie09]

One of us could sit in front of him, but its not just that the seat can't lean back, he just won't fit. We fly SouthWest or AirTran via SW because we have lots of points. We had talked about him and my mom flying down on a different flight (like United), so we could pay the extra to upgrade him, but hate to split up like that. JetBlue doesn't fly from us. We will fly out of Indy. What is a blue sleeve?

A blue sleeve is how they identify people who need additional time to board or have other special needs. We have had some luck asking for one for height but it can't be issue in advance. So you don't know until you get there if they will give it to you.

 

[Gary M]

We fly out of Indy. In the past we tried to fly on AirTran and upgrade to business class every time. We have used points and also paid for the upgrade. The last time we flew, the upgrade for non-stop flights between Indy and MCO cost $49 each way. If I remember correctly you could upgrade with points 48 hours before departure and 24 hours for paying customers. You could do this online and need to do it at exactly 24 hours before departure. We never failed to upgrade, but haven't flown with AirTran, since taken over by Southwest so things may have changed completely. Over the years we upgraded probably 20 to 25 times.

I would think row 1 on the aisle would be perfect for him.

 

[DebbieB]

A blue sleeve is how they identify people who need additional time to board or have other special needs. We have had some luck asking for one for height but it can't be issue in advance. So you don't know until you get there if they will give it to you.

I would say for the back problem, not height. If the front row is already full, you are out of luck because preboards can't sit in the exit row. There is one seat in the exit row that doesn't have a seat in front of it.

 

[anonymousegirl]

One of us could sit in front of him, but its not just that the seat can't lean back, he just won't fit. We fly SouthWest or AirTran via SW because we have lots of points. We had talked about him and my mom flying down on a different flight (like United), so we could pay the extra to upgrade him, but hate to split up like that. JetBlue doesn't fly from us. We will fly out of Indy. What is a blue sleeve?

I am not quite picturing how having the seat in front of his empty could allow him to "fit" into his seat.
If they fly from your airport, you might try Delta extra room seats--Comfort class I think. I flew a red eye to NYC last year and there was a lot of room between me and the forward seat.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Several airlines offer premium economy sections. The seats are not wider than regular economy seats, but the rows are further apart, providing more knee room and leg room.

• United Airlines calls it Economy Plus.
• American Airlines calls it Main Cabin Extra.
• Delta Air Lines calls it Economy Comfort.
• JetBlue calls it Even More.

Such seats require a modest supplement over cost cost of regular economy, but it's a reasonable amount. Unlike Southwest, the seats can be reserved ahead of time.

Premium economy is installed on regular single-aisle and twin-aisle jets with 5 or more seats per row. It is also on some, but not all, smaller jets.

Another option is first class. There is not only more legroom, but the seats are wider than economy seats. But it can be very expensive.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am not quite picturing how having the seat in front of his empty could allow him to "fit" into his seat.

I can't either.*

If you're flying SW and the very front seat could work, he does have a medical condition that would allow for preboarding.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It sounds like you need to book him on one of the airlines that has premium seats with more legroom that you can reserve in advance. One of the PP's had a good list. It will cost you more, but it is the only way to guarantee a seat that will fit him.

On SW you only have 6 seats in the front that will accommodate him, and potentially 12 seats in the emergency exit row. He can only sit in the emergency exit row if he is physically able to help others in an emergency, and it's not clear if he can do that or not. He definitely won't be able to sit there if he gets a blue sleeve. So that leaves the 6 seats in the front. In every SW flight I've taken to Orlando (5 so far) there has been a fight for those 6 seats because there are more people with blue sleeves who physically can not get past that row, and caretakers for those people, than seats available. Boarding has been delayed every time as the seating situation in the front row gets worked out. 2 things you can count on for a flight to Orlando - more families and more people with special needs than you see on most other flights, because WDW is one of the most accommodating vacation locations for both groups.

 

[ktate82]

Thanks for all the replies! He would "fit" in the seat, but his legs won't fit with the seats so close. He could sit in an emergency exit row (even though he has had back surgery, he still works and such), it would be making sure he gets one of those seats. I have never sat in those seats (always have the kids, so don't really pay much attention as to how quick they fill), how easy is it to get those seats?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thanks for all the replies! He would "fit" in the seat, but his legs won't fit with the seats so close. He could sit in an emergency exit row (even though he has had back surgery, he still works and such), it would be making sure he gets one of those seats. I have never sat in those seats (always have the kids, so don't really pay much attention as to how quick they fill), how easy is it to get those seats?

It really varies. Some people swear by those seats, because you are guaranteed not to have little kids sitting next to you and extra legroom. Others hate it because you can't recline. EBCI would give him a better chance at snagging one of those seats.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks for all the replies! He would "fit" in the seat, but his legs won't fit with the seats so close. He could sit in an emergency exit row (even though he has had back surgery, he still works and such), it would be making sure he gets one of those seats. I have never sat in those seats (always have the kids, so don't really pay much attention as to how quick they fill), how easy is it to get those seats?

The airlines tend to consider exit row seats to be premium economy seats. Elite frequent fliers can book them without paying extra. Others pay extra. Sometimes passengers get them on the day of travel without paying extra, but there's no way to count on it.

Exit row seats are usually somewhat narrower then regular economy seats because the tray tables stow in the armrests between the seats rather than being attached to the seat in front. Also, the armrests do not raise up. If width might be an issue, I would avoid exit row seats.

A few years ago, the only way to guarantee extra knee room and legroom on most airlines was to book an exit row. Now, with the advent of new rows of premium economy seating in the front of the main cabin on more airlines, there are better options.

 

[Gracie09]

You could purchase his ticket as a business ticket. That way he gets on the plane before the ebci people

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You could purchase his ticket as a business ticket. That way he gets on the plane before the ebci people

However, that would not guarantee a bulkhead seat or an exit row seat.

Southwest flights usually hop from city to city. A flight boarding in Indianapolis is likely to be the continuation of a flight from another city. The passengers who are already on the plane can move to the most desirable seats before anyone with a business ticket or an EBCI boarding number is allowed to board.

The tall passenger who is the subject of this thread needs a seat with more legroom and kneeroom. He can't rely on "maybe."

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Airlines have departments that discuss special needs ahead of time. American calls their department "Special Assistance Coordinators." Here, for example, is American's Special Assistance webpage: http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/planningAhead.jsp

A passenger who is 6' 8" and has had "several back surgeries leading to his spine being fused along with a rod" certainly qualifies as having special needs.

Sitting in a regular economy seat is absolutely not an option because the space is too limited. The airline is likely to say that sitting in an exit row is not an option either because of the possibility of impaired mobility in the event of an emergency.

I would recommend calling the airlines that fly on the route that you need and discussing those needs. The important thing is to end up with an appropriate seat assignment that is GUARANTEED not to change.