Traveling with a larger guest..

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Hi all..

On our upcoming trip we will be traveling with a larger guest. (No rude comments, please!) ... He's never flown before, and I'm definitely concerned about the flight. For approximates.. Around 5'9 and in the 300's as far as weight goes. Obviously he'll need an extender for the buckle, but I'm wondering if we should just go ahead and purchase an additional seat. I really don't want to start our trip off with anyone getting taken off of the plane, or our guest feeling embarrassed. Any ideas?

I've read on here that JetBlue is a little more comfier space and seat wise.. they also have the least expensive fares right now for our dates.

Thanks..

 

[dudspizza]

Seat width on Jet Blue seems to be very similar to other airlines..... www.seatguru says 17.8" on the Airbus and 18" on the ERJ. I just flew Airtran and they are 18".

Southwest is 17".

Purchasing another seat is always the way to go if someone won't fit (if they are wide). If they are simply large forward and back, as many men are, the person may be fine with the extender.

Some airlines also offer business class, though JB does not.

Duds

 

[Hannathy]

find a chair with sturdy arms to it and measure it and see how he fits. he has to be able to fit with the arm rests down. I would want to know before I got to the airport.

 

[paults]

I thought if you bought 2 seats and only needed one that some airlines will refund you the other ticket.

 

[jacdolfin]

I to am traveling with the same situation. Does anyone know if Allegiant Air offers seatbelt extenders. Its more so as a previous poster said front to back not side to side that concerns us. thanks

 

[jennyf2]

I would be safe & purchase another seat..... Just in case the seat belt extender does not work & it would be much more comfortable for him. I have worked for the airlines for 16 + years & it is the worst scenerio when I have to tell someone they cannot fly due to their size (if the flight is already full & we don't have another seat to offer). He may be able to get a last minute refund if he is able to fit in one seat....

Have a GREAT trip...

 

[seashoreCM]

I thought if you bought 2 seats and only needed one that some airlines will refund you the other ticket.

Only Southwest does this as far as I know, provided that the flight was not fully sold. (They will refund the second seat even if there are more standbys than empty seats after the larger person as taken two.)

If the larger person can't avoid sitting on someone else's legs or sticking his shoulders, elbows or knees into the next person then he should buy another seat.

If someone does not fit in the seat(s) he purchased, the airline has the right to bump him without asking for volunteers first and without giving compensation.

 

[NotUrsula]

For his comfort, I'd buy two seats. The airline can always offer to refund it if they don't think that he really needs it once he boards. (This is fairly likely if the flight is fully booked and there are standbys that the seat can be sold to.)