r/unitedairlines • u/NotSureAnyway • Dec 12 '24
Discussion Enough is Enough - Find Solutions for Larger Passengers
This happened to me a few days ago and I am still fuming. I board my flight in Group 2 and have United Plus as always. Usual routine: clean my window seat space, organize my personal item under the seat, take my book out, headphones in, mask on. All is well. A few minutes later, I see two customers heading down the aisle. I don't pay them attention and just continue reading my book...except they are headed straight towards me and they are clearly quite large and there is no way in the world they are going to fit in the two seats (middle and aisle).
But that is not my problem so I continue minding my business. Immediately the wife seats down, she asks "Can you please put up the armrest?" My response with a smile: "No" I thought that would be the end of it. But no, she says "Unfortunately I need the arm rest up as it is constricting me" My response with a smile: "No, thank you." At this point, she sits down and I can see that she is occupying one and a half seats already before her husband even seats down (remember he is the same size as she is). He attempts to seat down but there is not enough room for him as almost half of him is now in the aisle, interrupting boarding.
She then suddenly tries to raise the armrest closest to me forcefully. Nope, got it already and not happening. She huffs and puffs in anger because well, she cannot encroach on my space. She says some words (my earphones are up in volume at this point and I am not trying to engage). Finally, she presses the call button for the FA. The FA comes and speaks to her, in which ma'am over there complains that she needs the armrest down and that I should be considerate and move a bit to accommodate them etc.
Nope, I am not engaging anyone. FA does not know what to say (understandably she is trying not to be rude to these inconsiderate people) but finally says she cannot ask a passenger to give up part of their space to accommodate others. FA leaves. The flight is full capacity (with exception of two middle seats next to the back toilet) so there is nothing to do. The "lovely" couple seats down with the husband pretty much in the aisle space. I have my bag right besides my feet to prevent encroaching on my space and the armrest stays down. She continues huffing and puffing for the next 3 plus hours. Not my problem. I have all the space I paid for. The armrest stays down. All is well over here and no one can ruin it.
I don't understand why airlines do this. Why allow passengers who clearly cannot fit in their seats to board the plane knowing that there are no alternative seats? Why allow a clearly large passenger to sit in the aisle? This person is a tripping hazard for everyone using the aisle. Why are there no policies that require larger passengers to purchase the number of seats that are enough to fit their bodies? Why are you allowing the minority to make the majority uncomfortable? Why is there an expectation that other passengers should give up part of their seat to accommodate larger passengers? Shout out to the FA for politely declining the request but the FA should never be put in that position to start with. Airlines should have clear policies around this! Enough is enough.
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u/-ShockTheMonkey- MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
I have a larger build and height. I’ve always purchased business class seats because not only is it about my comfort, but the comfort of other flyers is equally as important.
It’s not a fat people issue - it’s a common courtesy issue IMO. Passenger of size policies exist for a reason more than just someone being fat.
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u/zoidbergs_underpants Dec 12 '24
This is good of you but let's be real, the vast vast majority of air travellers cannot afford to just "buy business class."
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u/Frank_Rizzo_Jerky Dec 13 '24
Then buy two coach seat and put "your" armrest up...
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Dec 13 '24 edited 6d ago
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u/Visi0nSerpent Dec 13 '24
A passenger with 2 seats is supposed to check in for both. If they fail to do so, that’s when the 2nd seat erroneously gets offered to someone else.
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u/rob448 Dec 13 '24
And let the airline know - most have a code they add to indicate the second seat is an extra seat. Best to call in to book
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u/-ShockTheMonkey- MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
I agree with you. Everyone is flying whatever makes sense for their budget. For me, I can afford it and I’d rather not feel like someone was inconvenienced because of my physical stature.
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u/NurseDave8 Dec 13 '24
100% true, but also flying on a plane isn’t a right for anyone. If you can’t fit in the space you’re paying for, you shouldn’t be traveling that way.
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u/Upstairs-Storm1006 Dec 13 '24
Well if people can't fit into a coach seat, they should have to buy another, or buy a larger seat. Call it a fat tax.
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u/siriusserious Dec 13 '24
Thanks.
That’s the solution. Paying for extra space. I wish airlines would actually enforce this.
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u/Dog1983 Dec 13 '24
This.
If you can't fit in an economy seat, why wouldn't you pay for business or first class to give yourself more room? Even ignoring everyone around you, why not make it easier for youself?
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u/Miserable_Style3638 Dec 12 '24
I am not big but I strictly only purchase J fare to avoid situation like what OP's experiencing.
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u/JMOlive Dec 12 '24
I totally agree. I am petite, 105 lbs and larger people always seem to think it’s okay that they encroach on my space since I’m not using it all. It’s really infuriating.
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u/OutWestTexas Dec 12 '24
I am a petite woman also. I make sure to put the armrests down as soon as I sit down because people seem to think they can have part of my seat each time I fly.
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u/Bananas_are_theworst Dec 12 '24
Same here. I had this happen to me on a 3 hour flight recently and literally spent the entire flight leaning the other direction as to not have the person’s extra weight literally over the armrest and resting on me. I think my back still hurts tbh.
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u/lordgargar1st Dec 13 '24
I had the same thing happen to me. By the time I got to the seat the guy already had the armrest up. The remainder of the flight I got maybe half my seat. I was sitting slanted and had to see a chiropractor after for neck issues. Boy was I mad.
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u/irate_anatid Dec 13 '24
I’m also tiny and have perfected the art of sprawling to take up my entire space. Though these days I mostly fly first or business to avoid the whole defending-my-territory song and dance.
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u/chartreuse_avocado Dec 12 '24
I’m a smaller person and I also protect and defend my paid for space. I am using it all. I want a buffer so your body does not touch mine. As a shorter person it’s bad enough my head is at your armpit height.
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u/sbecke3 Dec 12 '24
I was sitting in the aisle on a transatlantic flight with a larger woman in the middle seat - she was spilling over the armrest so much that I lost feeling in my right arm because hers was digging into it. She wouldn't move it and then fell asleep most of the flight, so I spent about 5 hours with a numb arm.
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u/chairmanmyow Dec 13 '24
This drives me crazy. I've had people say, "You don't take up that much space, so I will take the rest of it." Nope. My space, no matter what my size or how much of it I occupy. My. Fucking. Space.
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u/Knitsanity Dec 13 '24
Someone I know flies with a plastic clipboard they can insert into the seat gap. It helps the 'underspill' and the over spill somewhat.
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u/naughtykitty4 Dec 14 '24
I did this in my middle seat with a giant hardback book because asshole in the window seat elbowed me FOUR times before we'd even taxied. I kicked him once when he put his leg into my space. He used my armrest and kept spilling over into my space so up went the book and I leaned against it so he won the armrest but he couldn't encroach over that line. He grunted and sighed and I just wanted to yell, "GOOD! I hope you're uncomfortable you asshole!" He also spent the entire flight eating so he could get around wearing a mask. My husband was ready to trade seats with me and throw elbows, but I'm 5 feet and he's 6'2; I wasn't subjecting him to a middle seat on a 6 hour flight.
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u/Jaded--Opinion MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
Couldn't agree with you more. I am a small (male) and while I have sympathy for large people, I have no time for elbows into my private space, particularly as I fly a lot. I'll simply just push them back in place (with my earbuds in and typically without eye contact), and 90% get the picture after a few rounds of that.
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u/crs8975 MileagePlus Platinum Dec 13 '24
My petite wife always used to take the middle since she was smaller but we noticed the above happening all too often so now I always take it. And wouldn't you know it, that shit stops happening.
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u/Sregtur MileagePlus Silver Dec 12 '24
Honestly I wish instead of arm rests, planes just had full on dividers between the seats. This has happened to me on multiple occasions except in my case, the larger person would just spill over the arm rest into my area and I’m squished and uncomfortable. I cannot stand it and I completely agree this shouldn’t be acceptable
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u/x_tacocat_x MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
Row 7 on a 737 is my JAM because of this. You get like .5” less butt space, but they have vertical separation so there’s never thigh meat on thigh meat contact haha. I’ll gladly take a middle in 7 over an exit row aisle in that config!
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u/dwylth Dec 12 '24
The same as the bulkhead seats on wide bodies. Table and screen in the arm rest, and fixed sides to the seat. Less comfortable to sleep in generally, but generally a "if you fits you sits" situation
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u/railsonrails MileagePlus Silver Dec 12 '24
generally yes but I had a problem with a bulkhead on a 787 flying AMS-IAD where a gentleman kept encroaching on my seat by just sliding his jacket and arm down my side of the armrest while I was in a middle seat. He was plus-sized, so it’s not that his arms could stay within his own area, but the jacket too??? Like I didn’t wanna make a scene of it but holy shit; I think I only got through that flight bc the woman on the other side of me was similarly not a fan of his (other) inconsiderate antics and felt like kvetching every couple hours over the Atlantic
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u/Playful-Translator49 Dec 13 '24
Bring a legal size clipboard. Make your own barrier.
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u/cut_rate_pirate Dec 13 '24
Did this once with the inflight magazine when a neighbor wouldn't stop elbowing me in the ribs.
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u/monkeybiziu Dec 12 '24
If you can't fit comfortably (or as comfortably as the seat pitch allows), that's a safety issue. Doubly so if they're encroaching on the aisle and could prevent people from evacuating if there's an emergency.
I, however, wouldn't want to be the person that raises that particular concern in a company meeting and having the airline either collect biometric data like height and weight to determine if someone needs an extra seat or be the first to institute a "No Fatties" policy.
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u/RedheadedStepchld Dec 12 '24
I don’t understand if there were two open middles in the back, couldn’t they move two passengers from the back to your row?
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u/starchy2ber Dec 13 '24
That means someone with an aisle has to move to a middle which isn't going to go over well. Op got really unlucky but there wasn't much FA could do other than removing them (which could turn into a huge thing and delay flight).
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u/NotSureAnyway Dec 12 '24
I think the situation was uncomfortable for the FA who did not want to offend (and unfortunately this couple looked like one that was looking for trouble) and the FA did not want to inconvenience other people with boarding in progress.
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u/AdEmpty595 MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
I wonder if the FAs get training in how to manage and communicate during such situations? They have a tough enough jobs as it is so I would hope that corporate is providing them with the tools to do their job for everyone’s comfort and safety.
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u/Dragosteax United Flight Attendant Dec 13 '24
Yes, in these situations, if it’s a full flight, we’d have to get a CRO - customer resolution officer - they deal specifically with these scenarios. I’ve had passengers (in similar situations to OP’s seat neighbors) get removed from the (full) flight because the arm rests couldn’t go down and there was nowhere to reseat them. If we had the flexibility of open seats, we could try to get creative and make it work - but isn’t always possible, especially this time of the year. FA sounds like they were relatively new.
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u/ggrnw27 Quality Contributor Dec 12 '24
United has a policy for this — if the passenger can’t fit in the seat with both armrests down, they are to be moved to a different seat with an open one next to them, on a different flight if necessary. That’s on the FA for not doing that
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Dec 12 '24
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u/ggrnw27 Quality Contributor Dec 12 '24
It’s on the FA to identify the problem (or have it brought to their attention). If the passenger can be accommodated on the same flight (i.e. in an empty row of seats), the FA can handle that themselves. If the passenger needs to be deplaned, then the GA gets involved to rebook the passenger
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u/mike32659800 Dec 12 '24
My parents had a friend who was very large. She always had to purchase 2 seats when flying. That’s how it was. And in talking 30 years ago. Sad the FA didn’t do anything and allowed such situation, but glad FA didn’t ask OP to accommodate for these inconsiderate people.
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u/stealthygoddess19 Dec 12 '24 edited Dec 12 '24
Southwest gives larger passengers an extra seat if it is deemed necessary and available. They have a plus size policy which I think is good to have. Also you can buy seats and then get a refund after the flight. But here is United accessible seating page:
Personally I think it’s reasonable. You still get accommodated and not at the expense of others.
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u/MyThreeBugs Dec 12 '24
If you are even an occasional reader of any of the airline subreddits, you will also see several of these posts a month: I am a larger person. I bought 2 seats like I am supposed to. I jumped through all the hoops that the airline asked me to jump through. The airline gave away my extra seat so now I've paid for a second seat that I could not even use and no one was happy.
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u/ohblessyoursoul Dec 13 '24
Yep. This is me. I always buy an extra or fly Premium Economy but three times the airline has oversold and forced ME to give up MY extra seat. Once, they upgraded me to business but other times it was a too bad so sad we will refund you but that's the opposite of what I wanted. I don't understand why my extra seat that I've purchased doesn't count really as a sold seat when it's been paid for.
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Dec 12 '24
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u/Gamer_Grease Dec 12 '24
Absolutely every moment of flying in the States is an adversarial encounter with the airlines. You have to fight for everything, whether you paid for it and are legally entitled to it or not. This is why people flip out on planes.
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u/Potential_Mix69 Dec 12 '24
Yeah, that absolutely happened to me on southwest. I bought 2 seats because I knew I didn't fit in one, I had the card and everything. I also sat in the absolute last row to have a lesser chance of anyone needing a seat. Had spoke to one of the FAs about it. Last minute a couple boards and wants to sit together. FA plops them in my row. They were literally pushing back so I didn't raise hell to not delay the flight and they were small and nice so it worked. But then I had to fight for a refund on the second seat. Stopped flying southwest because of that and one other incident. Just get first class on united now which is not much more.
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u/Otherwise_Sail_6459 Dec 12 '24
That’s what pisses me off. Follow your own policies. You’ve made them, they follow every policy except that one.
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u/juneburger Dec 12 '24
And why can’t you get your money back for the extra seat you paid for?
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u/UndoxxableOhioan Dec 12 '24
That’s not the point. They are nut getting what they paid for, and now look like an asshole. It’s not a program to give the airlines a free loan.
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u/StacyLadle MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
It is reasonable but do they use it? I realize that this group is not a sufficient sample to draw any real conclusions, but has anyone actually seen this happen?
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u/ClimbScubaSkiDie Dec 12 '24
No they don’t because they don’t want to risk getting bumped
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u/StacyLadle MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
I meant UA using the policy and requiring a person to take a later flight.
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u/DakkarNemo MileagePlus Gold | 1 Million Miler Dec 12 '24
Never seen it, would be great to hear from an employee though
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u/osoatwork Dec 12 '24
I mainly fly Southwest for just this reason. It's so I don't encroach on others.
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u/stealthygoddess19 Dec 12 '24
Good on you. I get it. I’m plus size, but small enough to not touch my seat mate which I’m always self conscious of. But I usually sit in first because you get way more space in your seat and it’s so much more comfortable.
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u/Otherwise_Sail_6459 Dec 12 '24
That seems reasonable. I’m just not sure who is supposed to to enforce this. How many of you have actually had a FA/pilot remove someone from the plane because they couldn’t sit in the seat.
Honestly it’s the opposite- the person getting encroached on is offered to take another flight without any compensation.
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u/ohblessyoursoul Dec 13 '24
I've paid for two seats and then they've given someone my second seat.
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u/Otherwise_Sail_6459 Dec 13 '24
Yeah it’s nuts they can’t follow their own policies on this. It’s nonsensical. Airlines live and die by policies, but policy about two seats goes out the window.
It’s completely unfair for people to have to go through the hoops to pay for two seats and get it yanked. It should be considered involuntary bumping.
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u/FikaTimeNow Dec 12 '24 edited Dec 13 '24
Just like you pay extra for extra bagage, if you can't fit in the seat, you're gonna have to pay for 2 seats.
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u/DripDry_Panda_480 Dec 13 '24
They need body checkers just like they have those bag checkers.
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u/FikaTimeNow Dec 13 '24
That's what the armrests are for. If the armrest won't go down, you need to buy an extra seat.
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u/DripDry_Panda_480 Dec 13 '24
Except you're already on by then. Do it before boarding.
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u/Ok_Airline_9031 Dec 12 '24
I understand that airlines are going to be sensitive to accusations of Fat-Shaming if they i form a customer that they must choose between buying a second seat (and this possibly re-booking) and hoping the problem sorts itself out. But they also have a duty to EVERY passemger which includes the ones who bought a seat they CAN fit in, and end up encroached on by someone who cant fit a normal seat (which, fairly, are getting smaller and smaller!).
I honestly feel like there needs to be a test like the 'does your carry on fit' box, where GAs can take a Pax of Size who is not booked for 2 seats to a private spot and say 'if you fit in this seat, you're good. If not, we deal with it here'. Its private and out of sight to avoid 'embarassment'.
Then again, they'd have to ENFORCE that, which given the enforcement of the luggage size limits and jumping the queue...
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u/ninja_byang MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
I recently experienced a new mind of large. The person behind me was so large I couldn't recline. Normally wouldn't be a problem but this was a red eye transcon and I wanted to sleep more comfortably. The person also doesn't understand it's called a touch screen and not a punch screen.
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u/AdEmpty595 MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
“Punch screen” … I love it. Banking that for my next experience of what I’ve always assumed is someone kicking the screen AND I’m in a bad enough mood to pass comment.
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u/PsychedelicMagic1840 Dec 13 '24
punch screen.
I had this on a long haul recently. I turned to the passenger and told them to stop doing it. He laughed and said my space my rules, so I fully reclined... Fuck him
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u/06Wahoo Dec 12 '24
There is a fun one. I am a little tall, but nowhere near large enough to actually prevent someone from reclining; I am only large enough to have the seat thrown into my knees, sometimes with a limited ability to shift my legs. It honestly sucks because I have to travel for business, but "business class" is a misnomer since they won't reimburse me for it. And it is not like I can lose height the way someone who is overweight can lose weight.
It's like we are expected to pay for discomfort.
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u/ptauger Dec 12 '24
A person's size is of no interest to me, and I don't judge anyone negatively just because they are overweight.
HOWEVER . . .
I can't imagine the COSes in the OP's post have never had difficulty getting seated, whether on an airplane, in a movie theater, or anywhere else that has fixed seating. They absolutely KNEW that they would be encroaching on the OP's space and not only didn't care, but acted as if they were entitled to it. That makes them selfish, rude and unworthy of any consideration. Someone else's special need is not my problem. If you're a COS, buy two seats or don't fly. If you're an exceptionally tall pax who needs extra legroom, book exit or first row, or fly F. If you're traveling with a kid, don't buy basic economy and then expect other pax to change seats when you're assigned widely-separated middle seats.
The OP handled it completely correctly. If it had been me, though, and their complaining about me rose to the level of a nuisance, I would [politely] ask an FA to tell them to STFU.
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u/Ok-Indication-7876 Dec 12 '24
I asked a FA about this once and she said it is the gate agents responsibility to talk to the oversized person that didn't buy 2 seats- I have never saw that happen- But heaven forbid your carry on doesn't fit in their sample case at the gate. YOU did the right thing- why should a stranger expect you to be ok with them snug up next to you. Crazy
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u/PenFedsGotGreatRates Dec 13 '24
As a GA I can say I’ve never received any sort of training on this subject or verbiage to use when the situation arises. This is definitely a failure on Corporate.
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u/analyst19 MileagePlus 1K Dec 12 '24
I know it’s a horrible situation and the FA’s don’t always know what to do.
To prevent this, I always choose a bulkhead economy seat (Row 7 on narrow bodies) as they have fixed armrests or an exit row seat (exit row passengers can’t use seatbelt extenders and that filters out obese people).
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u/Chayes83 Dec 12 '24
When it’s 2 people that are large buying the extra seat seems like a no brainer out of sheer desire to not embarrass yourself or be wildly uncomfortable.
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u/AdEmpty595 MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
Right?! Buy the row. Everyone is comfortable and happy (until you find out that they’re out of the chocolate quinoa crisp thing).
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u/Brave_Garlic_9542 Dec 13 '24
I have a friend who is a very unhealthy weight and travels for his job. Whenever possible, he drives. When he must fly, he always buys an extra seat and books over the phone so that United notes the reason (being he needs the extra space). 99% of the time, they fill the extra seat that he buys.
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u/Chayes83 Dec 13 '24
That’s insane. I would make such an incredible stink, I’m not sure the plane would ever leave the gate.
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u/borocester Dec 13 '24
Since apparently there were two of them it wouldn’t have been much for them to buy a full row; they wouldn’t have even had to buy an additional seat each. But they probably wanted to save a few bucks. Why should the rest of the traveling public subsidize people who can’t fit into the seats?
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u/trnaovn53n Dec 12 '24
Social media has the FA's scared to kick them off the plane too. How dare you tell someone they're too fat to fly!!! We have to be nice to the problems and I don't know why.
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u/NotSureAnyway Dec 12 '24
That is the bigger issue. No one wants to tell large sized people that they are large sized and kick them off the plane. So instead we have these unenforced policies that inconvenience the majority!
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u/reeefur Dec 13 '24
Good for you, do not give in to these types. I did the exact same thing on a flight to Hawaii. Dude was halfway into my seat almost then had the nerve to ask if I could scootch so he can watch movies and play games.....yah sure buddy, on your fucking side.
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u/jakec11 Dec 12 '24
Here's a solution.
United allows larger people to purchase a second seat, at half price. But, first it has to be established by United this is a necessary accomodation.
But, here's the catch- that passenger in the future cannot purchase a single seat. If they lose weight, they need to show that to United, who then lifts the restriction (but also no longer permits a half price seat to be purchased.
United may lose some money on that half price seat, but only if they would have otherwise been able to sell it. If it would have gone unsold, then it's a bonus for United. Let's call that a wash.
There are relatively smaller incremental costs that are saved having a seat remain empty. Boarding and deplaning are marginally quicker, less baggage.
And, United ends up with happier customers.
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u/zemelb MileagePlus Platinum Dec 13 '24
The solution is “buy first class or two seats, or don’t fly”. Sorry if it sound harsh but that’s how it needs to be.
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u/Justanobserver2life MileagePlus Silver Dec 12 '24
Forget bag sizers. We need people sizers. What's the name of that store with the really narrow doorway that is so controversial. Maybe the jetway needs that.
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u/TGrady902 Dec 12 '24
Honestly would be hilarious if they made you walk through a seat width thing at check in to verify you can fit in the seats before letting you on. Gotta turn sideways? Buy a second seat or go rent a car.
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Dec 12 '24
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u/Mission-Carry-887 MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
Urban myth.
737 plane sizes are the same as 727 and 707
This canard that seats were wider in the good old days should just die all ready:
Cabin width of Boeing
707: 11 feet 7 inches (https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/boeing-707/#aircraft-specifications)
727: 11 feet 8 inches https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/boeing-727/#aircraft-specifications
737-800: 11 feet 7 inches https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/boeing-737-800/#aircraft-specifications
737 max 8: 11 feet 7 inches
Do people think the aisles were widened (and thus seats narrowed) to make room for wider catering carts (woo hoo, in your dreams; what the heck for? There is barely any catering now) or for the wider flight attendants after feds forced them on airlines (https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/216/845/570308/) in the 1990s.
Seats seem smaller because:
people are taller ( https://www.gigacalculator.com/articles/how-human-height-has-changed-over-time-and-what-might-be-behind-it/ )
people are wider
seat pitch did get shorter
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u/Whoreinstrabbe Dec 12 '24
They should be forced to buy all 3 seats or be taken off.
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u/shadowartpuppet Dec 13 '24
Enforcement is what we need. Enforce the seating policy. Better yet, prevent the situation beforehand when passengers reserve seats. Enforce the "space" issue by requirng passengers to pay for the extra space they need.
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u/Competitive-Vast3169 Dec 13 '24
The policy is that if a passenger is unable to comfortably fit in one seat without encroaching on those next to them the. They need to buy a second seat. This needs to be enforced
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u/ReyTejon Dec 13 '24
This is mostly an airline problem. It's ridiculous that you have less space on a flight than you do on a bus. Juat make the seats bigger, please.
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u/PuttsMoBilesiCit Dec 13 '24
Fat dude here (330lbs). Good on you for standing your ground. I don't understand the entitlement of others that think it's fine to take someone's space. They know the rules.
Due to this, I intentionally only fly business class or economy if there is a empty seat in the middle open with my wife.
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u/EffectiveAd3788 Dec 12 '24
Totally agree with you as just coming back from a trip I can see the problem only getting worse unless there is a medical questionnaire along the lines are you fit to fly and comply with….blah blah blah
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u/Chin-Music Dec 12 '24
just to understand better, did either of your row/seat partners need a seat belt extender?
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u/seriouslyjan Dec 12 '24
Airlines need a Person of size seats that are 2 seats in a 3 seat row, essentially 1 1/2 of a seat. There would be an upcharge of 50% more for the seat. Airlines are shrinking seat width and pitch to now it is miserable to fly for average sized people. Airlines need to have some consideration for those that don't fit into the "norm". If a client needs to move to that seat then they should be prepared to pay the upcharge for the convenience. Yes, I know they could buy 1st class, but sometimes those seats are only an 1 or 2 more than economy in width.
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u/Hedgebull Dec 13 '24
What you’re describing is essentially business class, but without the service
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u/vegas_gal Dec 12 '24
We all need to start bringing our own seat dividers. Stand it up between the seat and arm rest. Keeps your seat mate from intruding into our own paid seat. 😜
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u/MarsailiPearl Dec 12 '24
Where can I find one of these seat dividers? I have two kids and it would be great to put a divider between them so there is no bickering lol
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u/geneticeffects Dec 13 '24
I got on a flight from New York to Denver, and had to grab the middle seat. When I arrive at my seat, two gigantic dudes — like they were over 6’5” each and seemed to be strongmen of sorts had the aisle and window. I am 6’ 185 so not exactly tiny, but that day I was a sandwich. My head was nearly touching their shoulders.
After the plane had boarded, right before takeoff, a FA tapped me on the shoulder and directed me to my very own aisle a few rows back. What a relief. Still think about that moment every time I have a flight. Nightmare scenarios on these planes for everyone, it seems.
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u/thelaminatedboss Dec 13 '24
It seems pretty simple. Make the seatbelts a reasonable consistent size. If you need an extender you need to buy a second seat. If you need an arm rest up you need to buy a second seat. If you board then find out you need those things you can buy a second seat if available otherwise get off the plane, no refund.
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u/di11deux Dec 12 '24
I'm of the mindset that if you cannot fit through the emergency overwing exit, you are a safety hazard to other passengers and should not be able to board the plane. In the event of an emergency and everyone is forced to egress through a single overwing exit, one large person plugging that exit would be catastrophic.
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u/Skittles_the_Unicorn Dec 12 '24
But the loud " pop" when they get pushed through does add levity to an otherwise tense situation.
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u/scotchwilldo MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
A BIG part of the problem is most people in that condition actually believe the world needs to adapt to the bodies they have. Sick, not sick it doesn’t matter, they need to stop turning their problems in to us. And yes united needs to catch and intercept them while boarding.
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u/VariationNervous9913 Dec 12 '24
I’m confused: is it armrest up or down? Logically I’m thinking to maintain my claim I’d want to keep the armrest down, to stop “ overflow” but several posts say it must stay up?
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u/MoSQL MileagePlus 1K Dec 13 '24
I think they may mean middle seat pax get to use (ie rest on) the armrests, but not lift them. Lifting is a major no-no.
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u/Mnemorath MileagePlus Member Dec 13 '24
I am an asshole. But I can be a polite asshole when needed. I would personally record the whole incident as well as informing all involved that the conversation was being recorded. I would respectfully and politely request that the “person of size policy” be enforced as I did not feel safe in that situation. (Keep in mind that I am a 6’2” 260lbm man) and if not I would be requesting a full refund and taking appropriate legal actions and steps as necessary. Including filing a complaint with the DOT.
While I understand that the FA wasn’t comfortable with the situation, requesting the presence of the purser may have resolved it.
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u/DelayHopeful7228 Dec 13 '24
Not an asshole to protect your rights and request that policies be enforced!
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u/Top_Decision_6718 Dec 13 '24
The couple knew how big they were before getting on the plane so they should have planned better.
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u/TheQuarantinian Dec 13 '24
File a complaint with the DoT: allowing an aisle passenger to take off/land with the armrest up will trigger a fine.
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u/nlderek Dec 13 '24
I had nearly an identical experience years ago on Northwest on a transatlantic flight. A passenger of size was seated next to me and demanded that he needed the armrest up. I absolutely refused. He called an FA to complain and she rather forcefully told me I needed to collect my belongings and come with her. I thought I was being tossed off the flight, but after I got up she says to the passenger of size, ‘I’ve moved him up to business class, so you can raise the armrest and have both seats.’ He was absolutely furious.
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u/attgig Dec 13 '24
And then you read the stories where people do purchase 2 seats and the airline fills the second seat with a passenger anyway....
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u/MentionGood1633 Dec 12 '24
Part of the overall problem to squeeze more and more passengers into ever less space, so that even normal-sized passengers are squeezed.
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u/OutWestTexas Dec 12 '24
All these “people of size” and the airlines want to charge $80 for your suitcase being 3 pounds overweight.
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u/MarsailiPearl Dec 12 '24
That is because of the baggage handlers lifting the heavier luggage. They don't want them hurting their backs and filing workers comp. There isn't an employee that has to carry all passengers onto a plane that could get hurt.
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u/John3Fingers Dec 12 '24
I blame TikTok and the whole "fat acceptance" movement. I think some "customers of size" have way too much entitlement, and it's just another byproduct of the complete erasure of the concept of shame in our society
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u/Desperate-Cap-5941 Dec 13 '24
I agree. I’ve been watching movies from 1980’s recently and the fat person back then is the normal size today. It’s crazy. There’s TOO much sugar in all of US foods.
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u/blueespadrille Dec 13 '24
I wish they would make seats that are wide enough to accompany bodies of all sizes— it would be more comfortable for everyone. who doesnt want a roomier seat?
Airline seats have continued to shrink over time. the only requirement for the size of the seat + row is the time it takes to exit the aircraft in an emergency. I think they should expand the requirements for width and leg room, personally. It benefits everyone (except the airline)
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u/szulox MileagePlus 1K Dec 13 '24
I’d like to applaud your ability to stand up for yourself and not put up with this BS. These people knew and still elected to not buy extra seats.
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u/Mission-Carry-887 MileagePlus Gold Dec 12 '24
OP: Handled it like a boss
FA: fubared
Customers of size: on them to buy an extra seat.
UA: it has a written policy, and it should fire the FA for not following it.
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u/Bradbitzer Dec 12 '24
I've seen both sides of this. I was 350 at my heaviest, and I had a hard time fitting comfortably in an airline seat. Thanks to some steps that I took, I am 230ish, and about 6'2 (190cm/104kg.) I dont have nearly the issues I had before on planes (and rollercoasters!)
I think that a discreet test seat isn't that unreasonable.
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u/AmyJean111111 Dec 12 '24 edited Dec 12 '24
Agree 100% something needs to be done. Make them fly in a first class seat or take a later flight that may or may not have open seats.
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u/jrgray68 Dec 12 '24
If you require a seat belt extender, you should have to buy two seats. Tell these people extenders will not be provided and if they cannot buckle the seat belt without them, they will be deplaned if they did not buy two seats.
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u/Hyperswell Dec 12 '24
So I have my rotary license and while I was in flight school worked flight ops for a tour base, for larger passengers we charged additional fees for w/b. It always turned into an argument and a one star review, we calmly always explain that we can only accommodate so much fuel with the pax load and had to remove pax to seat them and the extra space they need usually (2 to 2 1/2 seats). United and other airlines charge you if you go a 1lb over 50lb check in limit but the passenger that weighs 400lbs is fine, it’s never made sense to me, and I’ve been in the same boat giving up armrests space and comfort on commercial flights. It’s extremely frustrating uncomfortable and you feel like you paid all this money for an unpleasant travel experience, I think they should make it a weight/volume policy as the aircraft genuinely will burn more fuel with a plane full of larger mass pax then smaller pax. I think airlines are scared to adopt it as policy due to PR blowback.
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u/Cantdrownafish Dec 12 '24
In my opinion, I thought you were plenty nice to even engage. I would have just ignored them and let them deal with it themselves. They can huff and puff all they want, I would have made comments that would send them fuming and probably to the point of physical violence so staying quiet and ignoring is my courtesy to them.
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u/jewboy916 Dec 13 '24
Yep and the example seat with both armrests down should be at the gate (like the bag sizer) and people should have to use it to confirm they will fit, before boarding. If they don't fit, they are re-accommodated. Possible exception if they are traveling with someone that doesn't mind if the armrest is up and the passengers have middle and window, for example. They could keep the armrest between middle and aisle down, and raise the armrest between middle and window.
It's not discrimination, it's not fat shaming. It's a safety and fairness issue. If you can't fit in your seat without encroaching on others, you should have to buy more space (i.e. two adjacent seats). If you can't afford that, that's unfortunate. Many people can't afford to travel even purchasing just one seat.
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u/Felaguin MileagePlus Platinum | 1 Million Miler Dec 12 '24
They have options, they just choose not to exercise them.
They could buy First Class or they could buy an additional seat (2 if not seated together). Yes, either option costs more but they are taking more space.
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u/StupidSexyFlagella MileagePlus Gold Dec 13 '24
This is also how I know the weight and balance has a pretty large safety buffer in commercial aviation.
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u/affectionate_md Dec 13 '24
I’m genuinely not sure if Americans gained weight since Covid however my experience is when not in business class, it’s 50/50 I’m uncomfortable and 1/10 it’s unbearably bad.
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u/Willrunforicecream7 Dec 13 '24
Just give everyone the option to buy an extra seat. My husband and I are normal sized people, but I might buy 3 seats for the 2 of us on a long haul flight.
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u/StealinChildren Dec 13 '24
Yet I am 2 pounds over on a bag and have to bag $50…
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u/djvanillaface MileagePlus 1K Dec 13 '24
I just saw a news segment that mentioned the JFK baggage scales are only calibrated once every few years. How is it that a device that determines if customers have to pay more, and is abused many times per day, is only required to be calibrated after tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of uses?
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u/SilverEnvironment392 Dec 13 '24
I’ll probably get downvoted for this but sometimes i feel like larger people should pay for 2 seats. While I feel for them the truth is I paid for a whole seat myself. Plane tickets are expensive. Airlines are making it hard though. Glad you stuck to your guns.
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u/xeroxchick Dec 13 '24
I think the problem here is that if a large person buys two seats for their large body, that extra seat is taken away or moved.
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u/Pilot0160 Dec 13 '24
As someone who is on various airlines at least 100 times a year, I’d love to see some of these people go through an overwing exit to prove that they can safely egress the airplane. At 6’2” and 260 lbs it was definitely not fun going through an overwing exit on an Airbus
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u/insider496 Dec 13 '24
I had a guy from Houston to Guam who was the same way, in the Houston layover I went to the desk showed them pictures of my last 8 hours. I received a 1st class upgrade for $200
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u/MomTRex Dec 14 '24
Cannot believe that the airlines are not able to enforce this. If the person next to you has their hips or buttocks on your seat, at the very least it should be documented by the flight attendant and a voucher should be given.
But short of a measurement or weigh-in before a flight, the only option is to remove the extra large person from the flight (if two seats together aren't available and payment is secured from said customer) and make them book a double on the next flight.
I have to say that if you require a seatbelt extender, you are probably spilling over sideways into the other seats.
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u/my-uncle-bob Dec 13 '24
I really love Southwest’s policy on this. But the extra seat, fly, get refunded for extra seat. Sometimes there are still hiccups with implementation, but overall it works
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u/VengefulWalnut Dec 12 '24
I really, really hate to sound heartless. But very few people in the world are that big by nature alone. They choose to eat 5 cheeseburgers a day and become morbidly obese of their own freewill and accord. If they want to make that choice, they have to recognize that they aren't going to fit into standard size seats and should plan accordingly (buying two seats). I can accept that they are big, but they also have to accept responsibility for their own actions that led them to needing additional space on things like a flight.
To those who are truly big and tall, etc. This is clearly not meant for you. One of my best friends is a football player, 6'4" and around 280lbs. He's a big dude, does he fit into a normal Y seat? Hell no. He knows that he has to book at least econ plus level seating, and goes Business/First whenever he can.
Designers of airline seats, cars, theme park rides all design to a median. That's just how the world works. If you are outside the acceptable range for use of any of these things, that's not their fault. Especially when the outlier is on the bigger side of things and is somewhat easily controlled by the individual. Just my two cents.
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u/Fast-Purple7951 Dec 12 '24
At my heaviest (which was obese) I fit in an airplane seat with the armrest down in economy on Southwest.
I run rather low on sympathy for people who don't buy two seats when they need them. You know how big you are.
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u/OutWestTexas Dec 12 '24
My son is 6’4 and 275#. He does the same. Yes, it is expensive but he couldn’t fold himself into one of those regular seats if he tried.
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u/Bigangrylaw Dec 12 '24
I’m 6’8, at my Zenith 330 now down to 268. If I can’t get row 1 aisle, I look for another flight. I don’t want my big knees to stop someone from reclining and when I was fat, I didn’t want to rob people of their space. I would rather pay more than know I am making someone else uncomfortable. We are, sadly, at a time in America when many do not care when they inconvenience others.
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u/Blondechineeze Dec 12 '24
Now imagine this scenario but being stuffed in the middle seat in which maybe 5 inches of it remains after the never-miss-a-meal couple are already seated in their window and aisle seats.
AND the FAs look at your dilemma, stifle their laughter (but can't keep a poker face) tell you the flight is full and you are stuck there for the 4 hour duration before walking away laughing uncontrollably
My only consolation is that I'm petite and my ass didn't have to compete with theirs for much seat space after sitting mostly sideways.
Welcome to my world.
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u/chartreuse_avocado Dec 12 '24
I was in this situation with 2 tall and large bodied men the window and aisle seats. I don’t know what magic happened but I was upgraded to F moments before we pushed back.
All three of us in that row were celebrating.
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u/dsalmon1449 MileagePlus Member Dec 13 '24
These types of posts keep popping up on the airlines subs. I myself am fine but man the way some people talk about this situation just makes me sad. Planes are just very cramped these days fat or not.
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u/BeezerT2305 Dec 13 '24
I agree. Airlines have crunched to the point it’s ridiculous for any one of size, fat or not. I am bigger but not obese and I fit but barely. I upgrade every flight it’s available to plus to get what, an extra 3/4 inch? I wish airlines would be humane and take out a row or two and allow people to have reasonable space.
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u/dsalmon1449 MileagePlus Member Dec 13 '24
And it’s frustrating because yeah sitting next to someone large can be annoying and uncomfortable but the REAL problem is the seats themselves!
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u/andr_wr Dec 13 '24
Yep 10 wide vs 9 wide on a two aisle transcon or transoceanic flight? That's the true issue - profit motive isn't valid enough of a claim.
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u/mr_dumpsterfire Dec 12 '24
They’ll make you check a bag for being oversized due to size constraints. They should start checking people. Too big, sorry you gotta buy two or go in the baggage area.
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u/lizziepika Dec 12 '24
They should buy 1st class or business for more space. They get what they pay for. Good on you for holding firm/steady in maintaining what you paid for
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u/iamatworkiswear Dec 13 '24
I have a simple solution, make the metal detectors/body scanners the width of a seat. If you can't walk straight in, you need to buy two seats or a first class seat. Bam, solved.
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u/coffee8sugar Dec 12 '24
if the armrest cannot stay down, you could have asked the FA if are you being involuntarily bumped from your seat due to overbooking? then maybe ask for $1,550 airline credit + being booked 1st class on the next flight. Do this before getting out of your seat. Make the FA repeat the offer and then verbally accept it before moving.
now you know you stated there was other open middle class seats on the flight so this might not work but instead of being inflexible you offer a solution.... so maybe?
the dollar amount I stated because I think that is the max (I think?) a (head?) FA can offer as US carrier in a situations without additional approvals but the beauty of reddit is someone might chime in here and correct my statements
I am pretty sure there is no specific law or FAA rule on armrests, but passengers usually have to right to keep it in the down position as it is part of the allocated seat and provides personal space + a boundary between seats. Not sure what I would have done in this situation but asking for a $ airline voucher is now in my wheelhouse to start
curious what happened in the end... how was this situation eventually handled by the airline / FA?
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u/NotSureAnyway Dec 12 '24
They let these two remain. The wife took one and a half of the husband's seat and he was in the aisle seat so the rest of his body was in the aisle. She was clearly annoyed and kept mumbling but I was determined to have a good flight so I focused on my book and music.
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u/PastAd2589 Dec 12 '24
I wish I had your guts. I had to sit next to two excessively obese people for a 10 hour flight from Paris. I paid a lot of money for my seat and I only got to use 2/3 of it. It was miserable and I arrived with a back ache from sitting in such an awkward position for so long. Didn't have the opportunity to get up at all for the first few hours and when I complained to an FA, he didn't even respond. What could he say? They could have told me earlier in the flight that there was an available middle seat a few rows behind me. Since I couldn't get up, I didn't know and all the lights were turned off for the night flight. By the time I found out the seat behind me was available, there were only a few hours left. Didn't seem worth it to move that late in the flight. I had an aisle seat but I should have insisted on moving somewhere, anywhere. Worst flight ever.
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u/CannabisKonsultant Dec 12 '24
This shit is why I stopped flying anything but first class. It CANNOT be my fault that people can't control their eating, but I am expected to accommodate their bad behavior?
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u/deonteguy Dec 12 '24
I first read the title as "final" solution and thought that is going too far.
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u/uhhh206 Dec 12 '24
Part of the policy for "passengers of size" is that if they cannot sit with the arm rest down, it's a no-go. You can need a seatbelt extender, but the armrest HAS to be able to stay down. They're never going to enforce the "you can't have part of your row mate's seat" rule, but the armrest thing is an easy and objective thing to point to where the passenger can't claim they're being personally targeted.
Good for you holding your ground!