Dec 10, 2015, 9:45 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Booking an extra seat on for POS (Persons Of Size) or other reasons
American Airlines sells adjacent seats for various reasons; the most common one is for persons of size who can't comfortably occupy a single "Main Cabin" (Economy) seat, though others might consider purchasing an extra seat for comfort or to protect items of exceptionally high value. This seat was referred to by AA as "XTRASEAT" or “EXST”, and this JOHN BROWN
EXST BROWN
is how it will reflect in some documentation. There is no discount for the second seat, which must be purchased in advance; walk up purchases of extra seats will incur full "walk up" fares, if available.
As these can not be booked online, calling will work best; no telephone service charge will be made.
The extra seat does not earn Elite Qualifying or Redeemable miles or earn extra baggage allowances, etc. EQ instruments can only be earned by the individual person occupying a seat on AA (not an empty seat, a "proxy passenger" or animal or inanimate object). In the example above, EXST BROWN will have no AAdvantage earnings.
Other reasons for purchasing extra seats would be for allowed musical instruments, objects of high value such as art works, or materials for human transplantation.
American Airlines sells adjacent seats for various reasons; the most common one is for persons of size who can't comfortably occupy a single "Main Cabin" (Economy) seat, though others might consider purchasing an extra seat for comfort or to protect items of exceptionally high value. This seat was referred to by AA as "XTRASEAT" or “EXST”, and this JOHN BROWN
EXST BROWN
is how it will reflect in some documentation. There is no discount for the second seat, which must be purchased in advance; walk up purchases of extra seats will incur full "walk up" fares, if available.
As these can not be booked online, calling will work best; no telephone service charge will be made.
The extra seat does not earn Elite Qualifying or Redeemable miles or earn extra baggage allowances, etc. EQ instruments can only be earned by the individual person occupying a seat on AA (not an empty seat, a "proxy passenger" or animal or inanimate object). In the example above, EXST BROWN will have no AAdvantage earnings.
Extra space during travel Link
For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required. We encourage customers to address all seating needs when booking.
For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required. We encourage customers to address all seating needs when booking.
- When you call to book, Reservations will make sure you get 2 adjacent seats at the same rate.
- If you didn’t book an extra seat in advance, ask an airport agent to find out if 2 adjacent seats are available.
- You may be offered a seat in a higher class of service that may provide more space; in this case, you’ll be responsible for the fare difference.
- If accommodations can’t be made on your original flight, you can buy seats on a different flight at the same price as your original seats.
Booking two seats / extra seat for person or object (EXST, XTRASEAT)
Dec 8, 2015, 5:12 pm
#106
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,690
In the old days a lot of aerospace items flew in their own commercial plane seats on the way to NASA. This was before modern day G force sensors and tracking etc. The famous Delta case and AA rules are enough to avoid trying to claim miles.
or GUAneri?
Dec 8, 2015, 7:27 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BNA
Programs: AA CK, SPG Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 273
Dec 8, 2015, 7:29 pm
#110
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BNA
Programs: AA CK, SPG Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 273
Common practice for large instruments like cellos, yes. For small instruments, it's just silly. And if the instrument is THAT expensive (even if it isn't), she should have it insured just in case.
Dec 8, 2015, 8:42 pm
#111
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
Dec 9, 2015, 2:54 am
#115
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
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Location: London, England
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Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Dec 9, 2015, 7:10 am
#116
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
I was never one for the violin until I sat 45 feet from Itzhak Perlman perform at the ASO. Mrs Dr LS said my my jaw was dropped for 60 minutes. It was a post-event addition to my bucket list. Now I'll add Slava, thanks.
Dec 9, 2015, 7:27 am
#117
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Given the value of the instrument, I assume that it's unique and irreplaceable, possibly historic or an antique. If it were to be destroyed or significantly damaged, having insurance coverage would not make up for the loss, including to her performance career. So I fully understand the reasons for buying the violin its own seat. This also makes her travel more comfortable, although I suspect that most airlines require that it have a window seat (just like this would be true for an infant car seat) so as to avoid blocking access to exits in an emergency. She and the violin are probably also forbidden to sit in exit rows.
Many carriers would require that the second ticket be on the same PNR with a name something like XTRASEAT LASTNAME. This might need to be done by phone. Most carriers won't give the violin its own FF account, elite status, etc., nor will niece earn miles on the violin's travel.
At approximately 67,000 miles before niece signed up for a FF program, she could have been Plat by now and enjoying some nice benefits on AA.
Many carriers would require that the second ticket be on the same PNR with a name something like XTRASEAT LASTNAME. This might need to be done by phone. Most carriers won't give the violin its own FF account, elite status, etc., nor will niece earn miles on the violin's travel.
At approximately 67,000 miles before niece signed up for a FF program, she could have been Plat by now and enjoying some nice benefits on AA.
Dec 9, 2015, 11:05 am
#118
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
Given the value of the instrument, I assume that it's unique and irreplaceable, possibly historic or an antique. If it were to be destroyed or significantly damaged, having insurance coverage would not make up for the loss, including to her performance career. So I fully understand the reasons for buying the violin its own seat. This also makes her travel more comfortable, although I suspect that most airlines require that it have a window seat (just like this would be true for an infant car seat) so as to avoid blocking access to exits in an emergency. She and the violin are probably also forbidden to sit in exit rows.
Dec 9, 2015, 12:20 pm
#119
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Anywhere
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 674
Another passenger recommended to him to pull a $20 bill out of his pocket and buy someone else's spot in the overhead compartment. It worked, and the FA gave the guy who had the idea a free drink.
Dec 9, 2015, 12:36 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
The rub is what happens if you board late and there's no overhead space? I once saw a guy with very expensive video equipment that was being forced to check it, and he almost went nuts.
Another passenger recommended to him to pull a $20 bill out of his pocket and buy someone else's spot in the overhead compartment. It worked, and the FA gave the guy who had the idea a free drink.
Another passenger recommended to him to pull a $20 bill out of his pocket and buy someone else's spot in the overhead compartment. It worked, and the FA gave the guy who had the idea a free drink.