I included a copy and paste of the SW policy to avoid any confusion. I did not want to offend anyone and chose to use the word "comfortable", but the SW policy is based on whether or not a passenger can be seated within the confines of the arm rest. That information was included in my original post.
Also, poster JohnPaul was incorrect - stating a old rule SW rule regarding extra seat reimbursement. The current SW policy will refund extra seats purchased under the customer of size policy regardless of whether the flight is full or not.
From SW FAQ: "A Customer of size who purchased an additional seat may request a refund of the additional seat purchase after travel by sending us an email request at
Southwest.com/feedback or by calling Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
Even if the flight experiences an oversale (having more confirmed Customers waiting to board than seats on the aircraft) we will refund the cost of the extra seat(s)."
Using the term "uncomfortable" as well as "whether of not the flight was full or not for reimbursement" certainly does confuse the issue. As I mentioned before, if the flight is not full and someone feels they need a second seat since they don't fit within the confines of the 17" seat, I certainly applaud Southwest reimbursing the person since the seats would not have been sold anyway. However, for a full or overbooked flight there are concerns from my perspective.
Although we don't believe we fit the need for a second seat criteria, my husband and I love having the middle seat empty when we fly, he sits by the window and I the isle. If there is reimbursement without regard to whether the flight is full or not people who marginally fit into the seat will get 2 seats. We know a couple where the husband has broken one of our plastic patio chairs when trying to fit into it. He would quality for a second seat. However, I know that if he knew he could definitely get reimbursed for a second seat he would say he needed it, however, if the flight was full he would have been out the money for the second seat he would squeeze.
While booking 2 seats for 1 person on line in not policeable, are gate personnel going to be placed in a position to review a person's decision to book 2 seats or approve or disapprove a request for 2 seats at the gate? Are gate personnel going to be placed in a position of weight shaming? Are they going to have a seat model like the carry-on bag model for people to sit in, or are they going to place the gate personnel in a position to use their own judgement?
What effect will people booking 2 seats on line have on the availability of seats and the pricing of seats. We know that Southwest prices their seats based on the number of seats that have been already sold. More seats sold raises the prices, less seats sold lowers the prices. The pricing of seats and the number of seats sold are how Southwest makes its money. The don't charge for bags or change fees like other airlines. Having less seats to sell will effect the Southwest bottom line which ultimately will either effect their seat pricing or their possibility of going out of business.
What happens when flights are overbooked? If 2 passengers need to be bumped will they bump 2 paying customers, or 1 person who needs 2 seats? On a full flight, if a person books only 1 seat and then comes up to the gate and asks for a second seat will they bump a passenger to accommodate the person needing a second seat but not identifying that when making their original booking?
I believe that many of these concerns will only be a problem if the "FREE" second seat catches on for those that are marginally in "need" of a second seat instead of those that are really in need of a second seat, and not just want a second seat.
