Flying Southwest

[californiacasey]

Hi all, I did several searches and couldn't come up with the answer.

Has anyone flown Southwest lately? I am more than a little nervous about my flight next Sunday. I haven't flown SW in quite a while. I know that the distance between the armrests is 17.25" and the cushion width is 18.95 inches. Right now I'm at 262 and between a size 20 and 22. The 20's are a little snug and the 22's are too big.

Anyone else around this size fly SW lately? I would be mortified to have to buy another seat! I flew on Delta last Sept at 274, but I reserved a seat with an empty seat beside me. But it would have been really tight if the row was full!

Any help anyone?

[softnred]

I haven't flown Southwest recently (It was 2002, in fact), but I was a size 24 at the time. I fit into the seats just fine. I hope this helps you!!!

~JoAnne

[Laurenfra]

I was an 18 or a 20 last time I flew them. To go was fine on return was tight because the man next to me was larger then me. I hope that helps

[EMTchick]

That's funny you posted this. I have to fly to Baltimore from Reno on the 21st and that has been a huge fear of mine that I will be so uncomfortable the entire time because I'm squeezed in between two people and not have any room to move. I'm really hoping that the flight is not full so that it doesn't happen. I'll be so embarrassed. I know the last time I flew I couldn't even close the seatbuckle and just made it look like it was snapped closed so the flight attendant wouldn't say anything, and I am far more fat than I was then. Sheesh... my apprehension just got worse. Sorry to steal your thread... but any ideas on that one??

[Kent]

I had the same apprehension about flying. First it pays to be safe. Ask for extender if you need one. Better to have one and not need one (no crash) than to have to fake it and save your pride. Ask for an aisle seat. If the aisle arm rest raises you can have quite a comfortable flight. It also eliminates the whole squished between two people hassle.

[EMTchick]

I have to say... I have too much pride to ask for an extender.... because ya know what.. the chance of surviving a plane crash.. not so good. My seats were already picked for me by our reservationist here at work... so we'll see what happens. I can always fake claustraphobia and see if that gets me an aisle seat.... and pray that the arm rest goes up so my fat flaps into the aisle... great... LOL.. jk :geek

[Larissa6179]

I flew Southwest last April. I was at 280. I was fine without the seat belt extender. And, also as comfortable as you can be in a plane seat.

[californiacasey]

Thanks everyone. I think it will be pretty snug, but if I can get there early enough to get a window or aisle seat I will be ok (I think). And NEXT TIME I WILL WEIGH EVEN LESS SO IT WILL BE EVEN EASIER (AND MAYBE I WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

GO ATKINS!

[LyssaRene]

I think it all depends on body type and the actual airplane. Some have been upgraded and some not. I flew American in November to DC and all was well going but coming home there not a chance that seat belt was gonna fit. In February I flew to San Diego and all times it was snug but it fit.

[mandimar]

I flew Southwest yesterday and the seats weren't bad at all - they were new leather seats and the seatbelts were longer too so I wasn't anywhere near asking for an extension! There were signs up at all of the airports I went through about the new more comfortable seats on Southwest planes. Definitely plan on being there early so that you can get an aisle or window seat.

I hope you will be pleasantly surprised

[KentuckyGirl]

Afraid to fly also

I am so glad this thread is here. I have to fly to Flint, Michigan in June and I have never flown before. I am so afraid my fatness will make other people uncomfortable on the plane. I feel a little better now. Thanks.
Debbie

[pockets]

I flew SW last May, and I had no problems.

[AWAaviatrix]

Hey there!
I'm an airline pilot and fly on SW every week going to and from work.
Their seats seem to feel a bit bigger but you may need an extender so if you do don't worry! That is why they have them.
You can print a boarding pass at 12am the night before your flight from their website. I would make sure to do that so you can get in the A boarding group. If you don't get an A boarding pass and the flight is full don't be afraid to ask the gate agent for a preboarding card. SW has a lot of great people working for them and they should be happy to accommodate you.
When you get on the plane if you are comfortable sitting in the emergency exit row over the wing you will find a ton more leg room. Skip the row in front of that as the seats do not recline.
Have a good trip!
Misty

[Lady_Hawke]

Thanks to this post I went looking for the type of plane I'll be on this summer from norway to arizona. I am always nervous about fitting too!
The site said the seat has a 31 inch pitch in economy...I measured and was so happy.....wow what a big seat! Then I find out pitch means the distance to the seat in front of you! :no

Have a safe flight! :hug

[californiacasey]

Thank you for the advice Misty! I actually did that. I checked in online at 12:01 AM. I got in boarding group A. It was cool because I was able to do the rapid check-in and reprint my boarding pass and check my bags. I sat in the back (hoping it wouldn’t be a full flight and no one would sit next to me) but it was a full flight and I sat in a window seat. The seatbelt fit fine, but my hips were a little snug. I could put the armrest down but it would come up a little when I shifted around. A very nice guy sat next to me (he actually choose the middle seat) and it was fine. If I had to sit next to another bigger person it would have been very snug. I flew last September at 274. I flew on Sunday at 262. And next time I fly I am going to weigh less!!!! So I won’t have to worry about anything.
Thanks all and Happy Low-carbing!!!