I've never really understood why WN (and probably some other airlines, too) prohibit the purchase of a second seat unless you're a COS. Or, in WN's case, travel with a musical instrument. It seems like a win-win to me - a customer pays for a second seat, but that second seat doesn't contain a person, so the plane uses less fuel, saving WN money overall.
Originally Posted by
lovefly88
Legitimate question. I’m a big boy, just barely under needing a seatbelt extender. If I sat in the middle seat, neither of my seat mates would be happy. When on aisle or window can lean one way or the other to make them more comfortable. Would I qualify?
Look below and see the exact text of the COS policy that I quoted. The whole policy can be found here:
https://www.southwest.com/help/booki...R-CUSTOMER-COS
Basically, if you overflow your seat into another seat, i.e. encroach upon another seat, then you qualify for the free second seat. WN put this in place to make it easy for larger people to avoid causing problems for others, but a secondary and very real benefit is that us large people are also far more comfortable - and safe - on board.
Also, my personal experience is that it's not just whether you have a wide butt, but also if you have wide shoulders that encroach on your neighbor, or if your legs are long enough that you can't sit straight, which pushes your knees into your neighbor's knee space.
Originally Posted by
joshua362
Officially, I think its unable to put down the arm rest(s) all the way. Don't know how they determine that in advance without being on the plane...
"They" don't, the passenger does. If the passenger has never been on a WN plane before, they have to guess, but given that the size of the seats is not terribly difficult to find online (
they are here on the WN web site), it's not terribly difficult to figure it out in advance with just a little effort.
Originally Posted by
EAJuggalo
The official policy posted on the website also includes encroaching upon any portion of the seat next to you. I have very broad shoulders that if I'm in the middle, I'm covering the armrests on both sides. My hips fit in the seat just fine and I don't need a seatbelt extender, just really wide shoulders.
The actual language on the WN site is:
"The armrest is the definitive gauge for a Customer of size. It serves as the boundary between seats. If you’re unable to lower both armrests and/or encroach upon any portion of a seat next to you, you need a second seat."
When I first started buying a second seat, I could get the armrest down. It was a squeeze, but I could do it if I tried. But I'm also 6'-3" tall, so my legs didn't fit straight in the old interior (they more or less do in the Evolve interior but not comfortably), and my shoulders have always been far wider than the seats. Before buying two seats, I used to fly leaned over uncomfortably to avoid having my shoulder in someone's face through the whole flight.
You qualify, definitely. Just be considerate of others and buy your second seat when you book, rather than asking for it at boarding, which might bump someone if it's a full flight.
Originally Posted by
disalex
Everyone is looking for a black and white answer and there simply is not one. If you are a big person you can follow the COS policy and get the free extra seat, nobody is going to debate whether you were "big enough"
Nobody is going to ask you for proof you need the wheelchair or if you really need to preboard because of your sprained ankle causing a slight limp.
The entire SWA system is based on people self reporting and I suspect that will eventually be it's downfall
I disagree. I think there is a black and white answer. If you can't get the armrest down or you encroach on another seat, you qualify for the second seat. My personal experience is that 'encroach' includes not only torso, but also shoulders and long legs that you have to angle to fit in the seat.