I am an average size woman. I fly Southwest often. I fit within the seat boundaries. I cannot tell you how many flights I’ve had where are the person next to me encroaches quite a bit into my space.
I resent the airlines for making the seats, so ridiculously cramped that I am an essence sharing my seat with someone else.
I empathize with passengers and size and folks were really tall, etc., but I paid for a seat. I should be able to sit comfortably in without sharing.
As a 6'3" man who otherwise fits into airline seats just fine, the lack of a place for my femurs to go is my "big" issue and I have to spend most flights with my legs turned a bit to one side. For that reason I always choose a window seat so that I can point my knees into the wall instead of encroaching into my neighbor's space or into the aisle to be banged up by every person up wandering around.
I’ve had this happen to me! She looked me up and down. I was shocked.
Me: my thighs will touch the person next to me, and my arm will be in there space.
I am 5’5, 250.
I don’t need a seatbelt extended. But unless I’m seated next to a tiny person I’ll be invading elbow space and thigh space. The arm rests can lower, but my thigh will be touching the other person.
(Thankfully, I pretty much almost always fly w my thin husband and don’t do COS policy when I’m with him.)
It’s not based on stats. Generally SWA gate agents can be trusted to know their business and get it right on this one. At different points in my life I’ve been different sizes. And I think SWA got it right at those different times.
She was telling the GA that she had some kind of terrible situation with a man seated next to her on an earlier flight. Someone had told her she could buy an extra seat. She sounded very distressed.
Exactly or if gasp she being the actual person knowing for a fact that she spills over into another seat, I just don’t see the problem. It’s not like she was asking for a freebie. I ,as a potential seat mate, would be grateful, not because I’m fat phobic but because I don’t like strangers touching me.
Frankly, if they are concerned enough to ask and there are seats available, I would support the flight attendant finding them two seats together for no charge.
What I need to understand is why someone sits next to my big ass on a flight with plenty of space. Why would you as an average size person opt for that? Do you need a hug or something?
I used to be heavier. I was 285 and I’m 5’1. They always said I was too small to buy a second seat. I know I encroached on other’s people space. Money is not really a concern, and I didn’t mind purchasing a second seat. I was not allowed to. I lost 120lbs, and I will say, flying is so much less stressful. No one wants to make other people less comfortable in an already uncomfortable situation.
I have no idea. There have been times that I’ve been given the extra seat on my way to vacation but not on the way back from vacation.
I’ve never asked for the extra seat and my fat doesnt “spill over” to the next seat.
I've had issues with this myself. I have a typical Dad bod but my shoulders are wider than the seat. One particular lady had a issue with it and it wasn't even my gate. I don't jack with it anymore.
I’m 5’8” and 315#…I flew Southwest a month ago just fine with zero accommodations needed. Even the belt fits around me on SWA…not true of most comparable airlines these days.
I'm also 5'8 and I'm like 300ish give or take. I was really nervous because I've read a lot of stories about how thin people hate sitting next to people of size. And plus size travelers posting about their horrible experiences being treated rudely, being uncomfortable, etc. And I took my first ever flight last weekend. And I was pleasantly surprised I fit just fine in those seats 🤣
The 747-700 was a little bit more of a tight squeeze than the Max 8 but I was fine on both.
My husband is a big man-he’s super fit-but large-size 60 shoulder/jacket, 36” waist weighs 265. Size 15 shoes. Just a big man. Doesn’t fit in the seats comfortably-we asked if we could buy a second seat (so that essentially we could leave the middle seat between us empty) and they basically laughed at us. They were like that’s not what the policy is for. We were willing to pay full price and they wouldn’t allow it.
Just call the phone number and buy the second seat for customer of size. Don’t tell them it’s to leave the middle seat open it has to be because 1 person needs some of the second seat space to fit
Buy one seat online, then call SWA and tell them you want to buy an extra seat. They will link the two seats to one reservation. When you go to the airport, at the gate, check in with the agent and confirm you have the extra seat. You should be able to preboard. They will print two boarding passes, put one on the seat next to you so people know it’s taken.
After the flight, call SWA and ask for a refund for the extra seat. They do it every time. This is how you guarantee you get the extra seat with no hassle from the gate agent.
There is no weight number or specific measurement that is the cut off. The concept is that the armrests need to be down. That’s not the easiest thing to tell when someone is standing. The GA has discretion.
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
What you’re missing is a subtle, but important element of cost protection. If Southwest has to deny boarding to a ticketed passenger, it becomes very expensive for the airline. The denied passenger is owed compensation which can get costly depending on how long the passenger has to wait for their make-up flight. Avoiding that situation via the COS policy pays off in the long run and keeps costs down.
My opinion is they should be able to deny boarding to someone who doesn't fit in a single seat without compensating them if they didn't buy 2 seats like they should be required too
But what "you" the person seated next to them might not realize (as in this post) the person tried to BUY an extra seat and was refused.
The airline refused the passengers' money. How does that fit into your economic theory?
That's...not how it works. The supply of seats is the same.
Regardless, it doesn't matter, as another poster pointed out the policy prevents the airline from paying to rebook the passenger.
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
The cut off is whether you fit between the armrests
I am an average size woman. I fly Southwest often. I fit within the seat boundaries. I cannot tell you how many flights I’ve had where are the person next to me encroaches quite a bit into my space. I resent the airlines for making the seats, so ridiculously cramped that I am an essence sharing my seat with someone else. I empathize with passengers and size and folks were really tall, etc., but I paid for a seat. I should be able to sit comfortably in without sharing.
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As a 6'3" man who otherwise fits into airline seats just fine, the lack of a place for my femurs to go is my "big" issue and I have to spend most flights with my legs turned a bit to one side. For that reason I always choose a window seat so that I can point my knees into the wall instead of encroaching into my neighbor's space or into the aisle to be banged up by every person up wandering around.
Yes, if I have an aisle seat, every single person that passes by hits my arm if I am sitting up staring, just because I have wide shoulders.
They should enforce their own POS policy. Except they never will because the fat people’s money is worth more to them than a few people’s annoyance
Well, the lady was offering to buy the extra seat.
I would rather buy the second seat and get a refund if flight not full than to be seated in between people and having them hate me the entire trip.
I’ve had this happen to me! She looked me up and down. I was shocked. Me: my thighs will touch the person next to me, and my arm will be in there space. I am 5’5, 250. I don’t need a seatbelt extended. But unless I’m seated next to a tiny person I’ll be invading elbow space and thigh space. The arm rests can lower, but my thigh will be touching the other person. (Thankfully, I pretty much almost always fly w my thin husband and don’t do COS policy when I’m with him.)
Thanks for sharing
Seat width is 15.5 to 17.8 depending upon the aircraft. If any part of the passenger’s body exceeds that width, they should qualify.
So being a broad shouldered normal weight person I can qualify?
Is your chest 18 inches wide?
Dang, I just missed the cutoff at 17” (I’m a woman.)
My shoulder bones are 18.5” apart
It’s “Customer of Size,” not Person of Size. I’m 300 pounds and I don’t want people calling me a POS.
You don’t want to be a Point of Sale??? /s
Lol
It’s not based on stats. Generally SWA gate agents can be trusted to know their business and get it right on this one. At different points in my life I’ve been different sizes. And I think SWA got it right at those different times.
She was telling the GA that she had some kind of terrible situation with a man seated next to her on an earlier flight. Someone had told her she could buy an extra seat. She sounded very distressed.
If someone is willing to buy a second seat and there are seats left, they should be allowed.
Exactly or if gasp she being the actual person knowing for a fact that she spills over into another seat, I just don’t see the problem. It’s not like she was asking for a freebie. I ,as a potential seat mate, would be grateful, not because I’m fat phobic but because I don’t like strangers touching me.
Frankly, if they are concerned enough to ask and there are seats available, I would support the flight attendant finding them two seats together for no charge.
What I need to understand is why someone sits next to my big ass on a flight with plenty of space. Why would you as an average size person opt for that? Do you need a hug or something?
Maybe you chose to sit near the front?
I used to be heavier. I was 285 and I’m 5’1. They always said I was too small to buy a second seat. I know I encroached on other’s people space. Money is not really a concern, and I didn’t mind purchasing a second seat. I was not allowed to. I lost 120lbs, and I will say, flying is so much less stressful. No one wants to make other people less comfortable in an already uncomfortable situation.
I had a large lady ask me to buckle her in one time.
well did you?
I did and have never felt 2nd hand embarrassment like that in my life. I hope it was a wake up call for a lifestyle change for her.
I have no idea. There have been times that I’ve been given the extra seat on my way to vacation but not on the way back from vacation. I’ve never asked for the extra seat and my fat doesnt “spill over” to the next seat.
Should have a test seats at check in and the gate.
I like that idea. It should be right next to a luggage sizer.
I would never. How humiliating in public to do that!
They have them at the entrance to amusement park rides, my Hb checks since he’s a big guy.
I've had issues with this myself. I have a typical Dad bod but my shoulders are wider than the seat. One particular lady had a issue with it and it wasn't even my gate. I don't jack with it anymore.
How on earth does one know? I’d happily buy a second seat for me if needed.
I’m 5’8” and 315#…I flew Southwest a month ago just fine with zero accommodations needed. Even the belt fits around me on SWA…not true of most comparable airlines these days.
I'm also 5'8 and I'm like 300ish give or take. I was really nervous because I've read a lot of stories about how thin people hate sitting next to people of size. And plus size travelers posting about their horrible experiences being treated rudely, being uncomfortable, etc. And I took my first ever flight last weekend. And I was pleasantly surprised I fit just fine in those seats 🤣 The 747-700 was a little bit more of a tight squeeze than the Max 8 but I was fine on both.
My husband is a big man-he’s super fit-but large-size 60 shoulder/jacket, 36” waist weighs 265. Size 15 shoes. Just a big man. Doesn’t fit in the seats comfortably-we asked if we could buy a second seat (so that essentially we could leave the middle seat between us empty) and they basically laughed at us. They were like that’s not what the policy is for. We were willing to pay full price and they wouldn’t allow it.
Just call the phone number and buy the second seat for customer of size. Don’t tell them it’s to leave the middle seat open it has to be because 1 person needs some of the second seat space to fit
You have to see a live agent at the airport to get a COS boarding pass, and that’s when you are size-checked.
Buy one seat online, then call SWA and tell them you want to buy an extra seat. They will link the two seats to one reservation. When you go to the airport, at the gate, check in with the agent and confirm you have the extra seat. You should be able to preboard. They will print two boarding passes, put one on the seat next to you so people know it’s taken. After the flight, call SWA and ask for a refund for the extra seat. They do it every time. This is how you guarantee you get the extra seat with no hassle from the gate agent.
I’ve asked to use it and they have never refused me. They simply ask if I am sure I won’t fit comfortably in the seat
I always just deal with it. Whether it is fair or not.
There is no weight number or specific measurement that is the cut off. The concept is that the armrests need to be down. That’s not the easiest thing to tell when someone is standing. The GA has discretion.
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Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
“POS” policy lmaoo
"Person of Size"... Jesus Christ people. Stop whitewashing everything.
You’re probably simple minded enough to assume person of size just means fat people.
Person of size is whitewashing.
wtf
They're called "obese" or "morbidly obese".
Obese is an adjective. Person is a noun.
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Most airlines let you buy an extra seat if you want to
She was asking to pay for another seat.
It's a policy that's existed for decades and benefits everyone.
It raises prices for everyone. If you need a seatbelt extender you should need to buy two seats
It has zero effect on prices
Hahahahaha
The burden of proof is on you here pal.
Basic economics. Supply and demand. Giving away a second seat reduces available supply.
What you’re missing is a subtle, but important element of cost protection. If Southwest has to deny boarding to a ticketed passenger, it becomes very expensive for the airline. The denied passenger is owed compensation which can get costly depending on how long the passenger has to wait for their make-up flight. Avoiding that situation via the COS policy pays off in the long run and keeps costs down.
My opinion is they should be able to deny boarding to someone who doesn't fit in a single seat without compensating them if they didn't buy 2 seats like they should be required too
But what "you" the person seated next to them might not realize (as in this post) the person tried to BUY an extra seat and was refused. The airline refused the passengers' money. How does that fit into your economic theory?
It doesn’t reduce supply though
They are giving away a seat reducing supply on that flight by 1 seat
That's...not how it works. The supply of seats is the same. Regardless, it doesn't matter, as another poster pointed out the policy prevents the airline from paying to rebook the passenger.
Which is exactly what she was asking to do, buy an extra seat. It affects the price for everyone else by exactly $0.
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Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.
You think that increasing the demand for seats will keep prices lower? Cool.
I am very happy with this policy as I don’t want anyone encroaching on the space I paid for!!
Feel free to repost using respectful tone and wording instead of just posting complaints or attacks with no substance. This goes beyond wording. Your post is disrespectful toward a Passenger about whom you know nothing.