FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Seated next to a really overweight person - what to do?
Old Jul 9, 2017, 6:11 am
  #384  
MSPeconomist
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Originally Posted by leungy18
This probably isn't the first FT thread that addresses POS in same way.

Airlines should offer the option to buy a second seat next to yours for the same price. Make it an option you can add during checkout, and even include a diagram illustrating how many inches is available for a particular plane's seating configuration. If you occupy two seats, you should pay for two seats or upgrade to a higher cabin. This option could also be helpful to people with guitars or cellos, or people who simply want a 2nd free seat next to them.

Pax ought to be able to fit between both armrests fully down -- in fact, we should have a model seat to see whether pax can fit, in the same way we have little metal boxes to see whether carry-ons can fit. If the pax can't fit in the model seat at the airport, then said pax should have to pay for a second seat -- not the same price as he paid at time of booking but the cost of a new ticket just prior to departure. That'll incentivize POS to plan ahead.
Airlines DO offer the option to purchase an additional seat, often for any reason and not just a COS or musical instrument. However, it's typically not possible on line; one must call the airline or use a real live human travel agent to do this properly as you simply cannot just purchase two tickets under your name. Perhaps this needs to be publicized more and offered with a simple check box during online purchase.
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