THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 25, 2010

Cramped in coach but can't afford a business or first- class ticket? Many airlines now let you snare extra room by purchasing a second seat.
Historically, only certain customers could buy an extra seat. Many airlines require obese fliers to buy two seats under their "passenger of size" policies. Some also will sell an extra ticket to disabled passengers or those traveling with large musical instruments. Now, many airlines are opening the armrest to anyone. And some customers are finding that this is an economical way to stretch out on crowded flights.
"It is quite popular on flights to Asia .... [so] a customer can have extra space," said a spokeswoman for UAL Corp.'s United Airlines.
United, Delta, American, US Airways, Continental, jetBlue and AirTran all say they will sell any customer a second seat at the same price as the first ticket. They will issue a "reserved seat" document or extra boarding pass so the traveler has something to show fellow passengers who might try to claim what may look like an open seat.

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