Can a fat obese person purchase an airline ticket or do they need two tickets?

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grendeth

Can she be comfortable in 1 seat, it maybe possible that you need to purchase 2 seats for her. That's a serious answer.

Jay

Depends on her size. Airline seats are uncomfortable for smaller people, so it's quite possible that if she's rather large, that she'll need 2 seats.

Best to call the airline and ask their policies. Some airlines will allow a refund on the 2nd seat (typically a middle) if the plane isn't full. Some won't.

It's a little surprising, of course, that you'd use the phrase "fat obsese person" to refer to your mother, though.

Scotty Doesnt Know

Southwest is the only airline with a "passenger of size" policy. The policy requires you to purchase two tickets. However, if the flight is not full, you can get one of them refunded.

Other airlines deal with this on a case-by-case basis.

Richie

your sending your "mother" to Vegas,,
isnt your ex husband going there with his new girlfriend?

DaLady

An average seat in coach is 17" wide. You can call the airlines for their rules on this too.

Tim

http://www.seatguru.com/

This website is awesome!! It tells you details about every seat on the plane. This is a really delicate subject. Most obese people who fly often will know right away if they need to purchase an extra seat. However, the airline has the right to tell you if you cannot fly until you purchase one.

This is why I supplied you with this website. I don't know which airline you are flying on, but chances are it has the details of that carrier on here. You can find the width of th seat. For example, if she's flying on Southwest, their seats are 17 inches wide. I don't mean to sound sarcastic, but I would measure your mom to find out.

Since I work for an airline, I used to sell tickets. I absolutely hated having to tell a larger customer they had to purhcase an extra seat. It makes me feel bad, and it makes the customer feel really bad. So if you know before hand that you will need extra room, then everyone can avoid the akwardness.

Ask if the airline will do this, but when I used to do bookings and ticket counter, I would frequently stick my larger people in rows that didn't have anyone sitting there if the flight wasn't sold out. That way they didn't have to buy the extra seat, and the inflight crew didn't know the difference. I hope this helps.

buggerhead

It depends on the airline. You will want to call and ask their policy. They may ask your mom's weight, so be prepared.

You may want to concider the cost of a 1st class ticket versus 2 regular tickets. The seats in first class tend to be wider as well as spaced slightly more apart.

Marty B

Southwest requires obese individuals to purchase 2 seats if he/she can't fit in one.

"US Airways, Northwest Airlines and America West Airlines all can require an overweight passenger to pay for two seats but said they do everything they can to find a pair of empty adjoining seats on the plane at no additional charge. Midwest Connect... requires that passengers unable to fit in one seat buy two; if there are other seats available on the same flight, they will be refunded for the second."

Most other airlines don't have such a policy.

Check with the airline before booking.

smilies1998

It depends on the airline but my dad is 450 pd and is rather on the large size and he doesn't buy do tickets. He may not always be super comfortable but it works. He has also flown overseas with one ticket and there has not been a problem.

My flying experience has led me to find flights that are not as crowded so I don't have to buy the second seat. At my size I definitely will not fit into one seat and have not for a while. People who have been assigned seats next to me generally ask to be moved. Having to buy the second seat depends on the airline - check with them. As cheap as seats are now, I generally just buy the second seat. I would say that she should watch getting on the aircraft and walk sideways to fit down the aisle - I know I have to and it is still an issue. Be sure and ask for extender belts - I have to use at least one and sometimes two extender belts. Also ask for early seating so you have time to get on the plane without holding others up and without having to deal with the stares as you squeeze down the aisle and fill the row. Lastly, avoid the regional jets - these are way too small for us large people. First class is not better - rigid arm rests and not much wider. Also, don't expect to be able to put the table down - our stomachs tend to be in the way.

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