Oct 8, 2015, 2:43 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
"Passenger of Size" (PoS) also sometimes referred to "Customer of Size" (CoS)
Both acronyms are in FT Glossary
Both acronyms are in FT Glossary
Customers requiring extra seating
A customer flying in the economy cabin who is not able to safely and comfortably fit in a single seat is required to purchase an additional seat for each leg of their itinerary. The second seat may be purchased for the same fare as the original seat, provided it is purchased at the same time. A customer who does not purchase an extra seat in advance may be required to do so on the day of departure for the fare level available on the day of departure. The customer may instead choose to purchase a ticket for United First®, United Business® or United BusinessFirst®, or elect to pay for an upgrade to a premium cabin if there is availability to do so. United Airlines is not required to provide additional seats or upgrades free of charge.
A customer is required to purchase an additional seat or upgrade if they do not meet one of the following criteria:
The customer must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member.*
The customer must be able to remain seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the entirety of the flight.
The customer must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space. See our seat maps.
United will not board a customer who declines to purchase a ticket for an additional seat or upgrade for each leg of their itinerary when required.
*The average length of the seatbelt extension is approximately 25 inches. As the seat designs on our aircraft vary, it is possible that the seatbelt extension presented on your flight provides less than 25 inches of additional coverage. Regardless of the actual additional length the extension provides, if you do not meet the first criteria listed above when using the extension provided on your flight, it will be necessary for you to purchase an additional seat or an upgrade, where available.
Additional procedures
The additional seat must be available without downgrading or unseating another customer. If an additional seat is not available on the flight for which the customer is confirmed, he or she is required to rebook on the next United flight with seats available for accommodation. United will waive penalties or fees that may otherwise apply to this change.
If the customer is away from his or her home and must rebook for a flight for the following day, amenities including applicable meals and hotel accommodations for one night will be provided as appropriate. When the customer is able to rebook for a later flight on the same day as originally scheduled, amenities will not be provided.
A customer flying in the economy cabin who is not able to safely and comfortably fit in a single seat is required to purchase an additional seat for each leg of their itinerary. The second seat may be purchased for the same fare as the original seat, provided it is purchased at the same time. A customer who does not purchase an extra seat in advance may be required to do so on the day of departure for the fare level available on the day of departure. The customer may instead choose to purchase a ticket for United First®, United Business® or United BusinessFirst®, or elect to pay for an upgrade to a premium cabin if there is availability to do so. United Airlines is not required to provide additional seats or upgrades free of charge.
A customer is required to purchase an additional seat or upgrade if they do not meet one of the following criteria:
The customer must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member.*
The customer must be able to remain seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the entirety of the flight.
The customer must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space. See our seat maps.
United will not board a customer who declines to purchase a ticket for an additional seat or upgrade for each leg of their itinerary when required.
*The average length of the seatbelt extension is approximately 25 inches. As the seat designs on our aircraft vary, it is possible that the seatbelt extension presented on your flight provides less than 25 inches of additional coverage. Regardless of the actual additional length the extension provides, if you do not meet the first criteria listed above when using the extension provided on your flight, it will be necessary for you to purchase an additional seat or an upgrade, where available.
Additional procedures
The additional seat must be available without downgrading or unseating another customer. If an additional seat is not available on the flight for which the customer is confirmed, he or she is required to rebook on the next United flight with seats available for accommodation. United will waive penalties or fees that may otherwise apply to this change.
If the customer is away from his or her home and must rebook for a flight for the following day, amenities including applicable meals and hotel accommodations for one night will be provided as appropriate. When the customer is able to rebook for a later flight on the same day as originally scheduled, amenities will not be provided.
"Passenger of Size" (PoS) - What's the policy, experiences, issues, ...[Consolidated]
Jul 23, 2015, 10:21 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
This is entirely the fault of the airlines, who have downsized Y seats to the point that a "normal" size person barely has enough shoulder room. Luckily for me my wife is very petite, so if she is in the middle I and whoever shares our row gets a bit of breathing room when we fly together.
Seat pitch has changed but that's a problem for tall people, not fat people.
Jul 23, 2015, 10:38 pm
#93
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 57
The policy for UA is:
"A customer is required to purchase an additional seat or upgrade if they do not meet one of the following criteria:
1. The customer must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member.
2. The customer must be able to remain seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the entirety of the flight.
3. The customer must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space."
"A customer is required to purchase an additional seat or upgrade if they do not meet one of the following criteria:
1. The customer must be able to properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member.
2. The customer must be able to remain seated with the seat armrest(s) down for the entirety of the flight.
3. The customer must not significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space."
Jul 24, 2015, 12:12 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
Jul 24, 2015, 1:22 am
#97
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SAN
Posts: 2,426
After having a few days of back pain following a flight next to a POS, I've decided to have a low tolerance for deboarding myself if seated next to a severely encroaching POS. It's not worth my health or sanity. Will post back if it happens.
Jul 25, 2015, 5:41 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 23
On a narrow body they can't really add an extra seat across (you know they'd do it if they could). However, they could come up with a set of three seats where one is extra wide (for the larger folks out there), one is extra narrow (suitable for a kid), and one is normal. I'm sure they could work out a price structure that would put more cash in their pockets.
One thing the airlines might have going for them is the perception that obesity, unlike height, is something that a person can control. Therefore, if they are overflowing into an adjacent seat then it's their own fault and they should be the ones to pay the extra cash, not force "regular" people to accommodate their lack of willpower.
One thing the airlines might have going for them is the perception that obesity, unlike height, is something that a person can control. Therefore, if they are overflowing into an adjacent seat then it's their own fault and they should be the ones to pay the extra cash, not force "regular" people to accommodate their lack of willpower.
Jul 25, 2015, 9:02 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
Sorry, I don't agree with any concept of the airlines making accommodations for POS. Those accommodations cost money and the flying public in general will end up paying for it.
Enforcement of the 2nd seat purchasing rule is the way to go
Enforcement of the 2nd seat purchasing rule is the way to go
Jul 25, 2015, 9:40 pm
#100
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
OP - you handled this better than I would have handled it.
POS in the bulkhead? That must have been a tight tight squeeze. I don't think I'd book a seat up there is I was a POS.
If there was an open seat in the back, why not play National League manager and perform a double switch thereby giving the POS two seats with an arm rest that would go up? Yes it takes a bit of time but all passengers involved would have had a nicer ride. 1 ) POS gets 2 seats. 2) OP and mom get room in their own paid for seats. 3) A muggle from Y- gets to sit in Y+. All solved
Edit: BMI is virtually useless (except for possibly hiking insurance rates)
POS in the bulkhead? That must have been a tight tight squeeze. I don't think I'd book a seat up there is I was a POS.
If there was an open seat in the back, why not play National League manager and perform a double switch thereby giving the POS two seats with an arm rest that would go up? Yes it takes a bit of time but all passengers involved would have had a nicer ride. 1 ) POS gets 2 seats. 2) OP and mom get room in their own paid for seats. 3) A muggle from Y- gets to sit in Y+. All solved
Edit: BMI is virtually useless (except for possibly hiking insurance rates)
Last edited by thegrailer; Jul 25, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Oct 8, 2015, 2:11 pm
#101
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 66
Overweight
On a PS flight in e+ and the person in the middle seat (I'm in window) is so obese he is halfway in my space. I can't even see he arm rest. Full flight and must take this one as I need to get home. Ridiculous and extremely uncomfortable. Do I have any recourse with United. Has anyone else experienced this?
Oct 8, 2015, 2:15 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 573
On a PS flight in e+ and the person in the middle seat (I'm in window) is so obese he is halfway in my space. I can't even see he arm rest. Full flight and must take this one as I need to get home. Ridiculous and extremely uncomfortable. Do I have any recourse with United. Has anyone else experienced this?
Oct 8, 2015, 2:22 pm
#104
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston MA
Programs: UA 1K/1.5 million miler, SU Gold, JL Sapphire
Posts: 529
For cases like this, aren't they supposed to buy two seats?
Just wondering. I think WN forced people to do this at some point.
You should not have to sit on his lap, that is patently unfair.
Just wondering. I think WN forced people to do this at some point.
You should not have to sit on his lap, that is patently unfair.