Airline Weight Limits?

[EmilyIsSleeved 6]

Just wondering if any of you have had to buy two seats when flying somewhere and what the policies were. I am considering flying somewhere and would either be on Delta or Sun Country. I think I will be fine, but I'm worried about my boyfriend (360 pounds) needing another seat.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[Chelly 364]

I was very big in 2005 and had to purchase two seats because I would not fit into one.

Unfortunately I'm would say for your boyfriend at his size would be more comfortable having the two seats.

Now if I were you I would check with them and see what their rules are about this and use that information in determining which airline you go with.

With that said have a nice time together.

[The Icy One 518]

Every airline has their own policies but most will ask an obese passenger to buy two tickets if they need two seats. It's a racket, since they like to make their seats so obnoxiously small. Squeeze those people in like cattle, you know... Okay. not going to rant.

Anyway, Call or go on the airline's website well in advance of your planned flight, research the policy and book your tickets as early as you can and have your hard copies and seat assignments in hand when you get to the airport so that check in and boarding goes as smoothly as possible and there are no questions or debate at the gate and no one can raise a stink or humiliate your guy.

[labwalker 1,177]

It will depend on whether he can fit in the seat, with the arm rests down. I usually go for an isle seat. If you two are flying together, let him have the isle, and you take the middle seat. Then the airline can't say too much about the situation.

I was able to fly at 360, but it was not comfortable. The tiny restrooms are the worst! One reason I decided to have surgery was so I could fly and be comfortable. So far it has paid off.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Can I suggest you post this to the guy forum and put the title as "need info from xxl travelers and businessmen"? Or something like that? I think you may come across alot of gentlemen that will be able to give you first-hand advise.

What I can tell you is at 285 +/- lbs and some of that muscle, my 6'2" hubby is nearing the reasonable limit for 1 seat in the newer aircraft. What i mean by reasonable is after a certain size, even if they do not make you, common courtesy is to not spill over into the next person's space. You don't know if they are already scared or tense or have issues (especially women) with men being really, really close, which you cannot avoid. We pay a bit more for our seats, but it keeps hubby at the window or in the isle, and me as buffer to the next person.

Also - some aircraft have 2 seats to a row, so it would be only the two of you. Generally I say avoid travel agents for domestic flights, but in this case they may be of service.

[Rena's got this 274]

I don't really know, but it seems that he could buy a seat in first class for the price of two seats in coach. They are usually a bit larger. If it is in your budget you might consider flying that way.

[Dexter1118 27]

I have to buy two seats but I weighed 600lbs. last time I flew. In my experience if you only buy one seat they can ask you to leave the plane and you are stuck. If you buy two you are covered.

[snochick2005 172]

If you are really worried, it might be safer to just upgrade to first class. My dad is a bigger guy and he prefers to just do first class because it's a lot more comfortable with wider seats. I would assume its cheaper then buying 2 coach seats.

[Colleen C 169]

I flew with Southwest and it was free for the second seat. You can buy two seats and be refunded or check in with disabled seating which is seated first because it is first come seating.

Here is a link that explains it in there policies Its called

Customers of Size Policy, it is complimentary.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/index-pol.html

Most people dont know about it even sometimes the people working but if you let them know they are happy to do it.

Edited June 21, 2014 by Colleen C

[labwalker 1,177]

First Class can cost a LOT more than two coach seats!

[NJDad 173]

I was 6'4" tall and 359 pounds at my heaviest. I have been flying for over 25 years on business, and never had an issue buying one seat. I guess it depends on how wide you are, and I always fit in between the armrests. In all my hundreds of thousands of miles flying I never saw an incident where someone either purchased a second seat, or was asked to do so. It might have happened, but I am usually quite aware of what is going on in the plane......I think the media makes more of this issue than it really is.

Since I lost all the weight, I do have to say that airline seats fit a lot better at 245 pounds than 359.