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With airline flights fuller and fewer empty seats, there's more potential for discomfort for passengers of size and their seatmates, especially in economy where seat width and pitch has been shrinking even while passenger waistlines have been expanding. Standard U.S. airline economy seat width is 17 inches with 30 inches of pitch, whereas in 1985 the four mainline U.S. airlines offered seats at least 19 inches wide.
Canada has a “one person, one fare” rule that requires airlines to provide two seats to functionally obese passengers for flights inside Canada. The U.S., however, does not have such a rule. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) does not require airlines to provide an additional seat or upgrade free of charge to a passenger who requires more space. Here are the relevant airline passenger of size policies:
1. Southwest Airlines Customer of Size: Book an Additional Seat, Get Refunded After the Flight
Southwest has the most passenger of size-friendly policy. Any passenger who isn't able to lower both armrests or whose body encroaches on neighboring seats is encouraged to book an additional seat at the time of making his/her seat reservation. This can be done online, and the second seat is differentiated by putting “XS” after the passenger's middle name in the middle name field. At the airport it's important to see a Customer Service Agent at the gate to receive the “Reserved Seat” card and Refund Advice details for the additional seat. Another advantage of purchasing the additional seat (which is then refunded after the flight) is that it permits preboarding. This is important since it is up to the passenger to place their “Reserved Seat” card on the adjacent extra seat and to be an active participant in protecting that seat from another passenger sitting in it. This is also what we had to do when we purchased extra seats on Alaska Airlines (for sleeping on a red eye flight). Other passengers on this full flight attempted to move into our paid extra seats, so we were constantly advising them not to, as we'd already paid for them.
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Alaska Airlines Customer of Size: Book Two Seats, Eligible for Refund if At Least One Extra Seat on All Alaska Airlines Flight Legs
Alaska Airlines has the second most friendly policy for passengers of size, next to Southwest. It requires purchasing a second seat if the passenger cannot comfortably fit within one seat with both armrests down. After completing travel, if all Alaska Airlines flight legs in both directions of travel departed with at least one open seat available, the passenger is eligible for a refund of the extra seat. Request the refund using the online form or call 800-654-5669 and provide the name as on the ticket, ticket number, travel date(s) and flight details. Unlike Southwest, it's not possible to book the extra seat online; passengers should call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 800-252-7522 to reserve the extra comfort seat; the call center ticketing fees are waived.
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American Airlines Extra Space: Passengers Encouraged to Book and Pay for Extra Seat
AA encourages passengers who need extra space to book the extra seat at the time of booking. Unlike Southwest and Alaska, no refund is available for the extra seat, even if the flight departs with open seats.
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Delta Extra Seat: If One Isn't Purchased, POS May Be Required to Move or Take a Later Flight
For a passenger who cannot lower both armrests or who requires a seatbelt extender, Delta doesn't require him/her to purchase an extra seat, however: if s/he impedes on another passenger, s/he may be required to move to a different location that provides additional space, or in the event of a full flight, may be asked to take a later flight that has available seating. Also, Delta has the right to charge for all seats occupied. Also note that when making an additional seat reservation at the time of booking, the extra seat may not be a Basic Economy seat, as a seat assignment is required and Basic Economy fares do not include a seat assignment.
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United Airlines Extra Seating: If Extra Seat is Required on Day of Departure, It Will Be at the Prevailing Fare
If you or your traveling companion is likely to need an extra seat, don't leave it to chance if flying with United Airlines. Per United rules, “If you don’t buy an extra seat in advance, you may have to do so on the day of departure for the fare level available on the day of departure.” Day of departure fares are generally much more expensive than reservations booked well in advance. United requires a passenger to buy an additional seat or pay for an upgrade to a larger seat if any of the following are true:
- You must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary
- You must be able to stay seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the whole flight
- You must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space.
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