Special-size Needs Passenger Policies
It is no big secret that airline coach seats are not exactly spacious. Passengers often sit cramped and uncomfortable for the duration of their travels, as airline seats have shrunk significantly in the past few decades. Today, many passengers find that they have just enough space in their seat to buckle up and remain in virtually the same position during their flight.
However, there are some flyers who find they do not have enough space to even sit in their seat and buckle their seatbelt. These passengers are referred to as passengers of size, and many airlines require that these passengers pay an additional fee to have a second seat. In general, obese passengers on airlines who require a seatbelt extender and/or cannot lower the armrests between seats are asked to pay for a second seat on their flight, unless there are two empty seats together somewhere on the plane.
Overweight passengers have little to no choice when it comes to this rule. Every airline has an overweight passenger policy, and passengers are required to accept the rule. Since each airline has its own policy, airline passengers of size need to become familiar with the policies in the main airlines prior to travel.
Every airline has its own policies regarding overweight passengers. While many airline attendants will try and arrange for two empty seats for passengers of size for no charge, other airlines will not do so. Before any overweight airline passenger books a ticket to fly, they need to thoroughly research the overweight passenger policy on their airline of choice; not only to prevent delay, but to prevent embarrassment as well.