More elbow rooms in the sky: How to buy a second seat for yourself at US airlines

If you miss out on, the new Southwest Airlines -This recently changed its policy for PLUS -sized passengers that require additional seating.

Starting next year, Southwest will need passengers to pay for additional seats first and then request a refund after that fact. This policy has been in force on paper for some time; However, most people know the airline will offer free additional seats at the gate to passengers who need it but not prepurchase.

Once the new policy comes into force on Jan 26, the option to receive an additional seat will end. Even if you wait until you are at the airport to buy a second seat, you will have to pay and request a refund after that fact.

Southwest is one of the major carriers that has long allowed passengers who need extra space to buy the second seat on their plane. However, most airlines (excluding southwest, ironically) provide options for all passengers who ask for more room to book a second seat for this purpose.

Regardless of the reason, whether the perpetrator with large musical instruments or passengers who only want more space even if they can safely enter a seated seat, this is how every seating base is moved by the carrier.

Alaska Airlines

All passengers of Alaska Airlines can buy additional seats (called a Comfortable seating) by phone. Standard ticket fees are set aside for comfort seats; Alaska recommends buying them at the same time you book your first seat, but you can do it at any time before departure.

Note that you can use a Fare of a friend vouchers (as available with ATMOS ™ VISA Signature® Credit Card Rewards) or you ATMOS rewarded Points to pay the second seat. Just know that to use a friend’s certificate, you must book a second chair on the same booking as the first.

If you spend cash to buy a comfort seat, you are entitled to a redeemable point in the seat, even if it is not an elite status credit. Once the trip is over, contact Alaska Customer Care Center to request this credit.

Lastly, if you buy a comfortable seat as “Size passengers“And all your flights depart with unsold seats, you are eligible for a second seat if you contact Alaska after your flight.

Standard Checked baggage charges And the exceptions apply for every seat purchased.

American Airlines

American Airlines allows customers who want extra space to book a second seat.

To Book two seats in AmericaCustomers must call a direct booking and buy a second seat on the same fare and in the same fare class as the first seat. You can Redeem American Airlines Aadvantage Miles For the second chair if you redeem the stone for the first seat in the same fare class. However, you cannot get a stone on additional seat purchases if you pay for cash. In addition, if you want a second chair, you must book it for a full travel schedule – not just one segment.

Delta Water Lines

Like America and Alaska, Delta Air Lines requires passengers to call the booking line Book extra seating for any reason.

Even if you can redeemed the delta skymiles For the second seat, the program prohibits income on “tickets purchased to carry excess luggage such as musical instruments and pets or to provide additional space for major passengers.”

Since Delta’s basic economic ticket Do not come with an early chair assignment, you will want to avoid the type of fare if you book two adjacent chairs to have additional space.

Frontier Airline

Low Frontier Carrier airline advises customers who “cannot lower both hands and/or compromise with any part of the seat or lane adjacent” to Book two seats before traveling. Passengers can ask about doing so online through the airline chat system, which has replaced it Customer Service Phone Line.

Hawaii Airline

Hawaiian Airlines offers guests the opportunity to Book additional seats online At the time of booking but notes that this chair is not guaranteed next to it.

To secure seats next to each other, buy additional seats in the main cabin (excluding basic economic tickets) through the reservation team.

Jetblue

JetBlue allows you to buy additional seats and complete online transactions.

The process with jetblue It’s easy: just choose two adults (or much you need) for the flight you want, and when it asks for the second adult information, you don’t give it an additional name. Instead, you click on the option that reads, “This is a blank seat for” and then select your name from the drop -down menu.

You can add extra chairs to the side, in front of or behind you. According to JetBlue’s FAQ, you can pay for your extra seating with JetBlue Trueblue points or a combination of cash and points.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is one of several airlines that does not allow customers to buy a second seat alone to keep the seat next to it. This policy applies only to customers who need additional seats.

With the changes that will take place in the Southwest dormitory process, the “Size Customer” policy for flights on or before January 26 is different from the policy for the departure flight after that date.

For flights on or before January 26, “customers who invade neighboring seats should proactively buy the number of seats needed before the trip to ensure additional seats are available.” When you arrive at the airport, let the door agent know that you buy an extra seat, and they will give you a “seating” document to put it in the seat next to it. You can request a refund for additional seats only after the trip is completed Fill out an online form.

If you do not buy extra seats in advance, you can talk to the door agent at the airport and they will accommodate you with a free additional chair. If no one is available, they will re -create you on an alternative flight with a seat.

The Southwest policy will change slightly after the transition to the seat assigned to January 27. Customers are still encouraged to buy a second seat in advance, and you should be able to choose the next seat during the seat selection process.

If you appear at the airport without buying additional seats, you will be required to buy one on the current fare. If the flight is sold out or there is no seat next to it, you will restart on an alternative flight. You still have the option to request a refund within 90 days of your flight, but this only applies if the flight departs at least one open chair and you buy both seats in the same fare class.

To Buy a second seat onlineChoose an additional adult if you want an additional chair. Under “Who’s Flying,” you will put your name for the first passenger and then “XS” as the middle name for the second ticket.

No matter the policy change, it is best to avoid FARE BASIC CLASS SouthwesternBecause it does not include seat selection.

Airline

Rules for low -cost Spirit Airlines It’s easy and easy if you want a second chair. This airline allows you to buy additional seats by using your name for both tickets and selecting the desired seat assignment. This is allowed whether you need an extra seat for yourself, want some breathing rooms or buy it for other reasons.

You can use Free spirit Points for extra seats, but you will not get points on the purchase.

United Airlines

United Airlines lets you buy a second seat for additional personal space over the phone, and you can redeem United MileA his Miles for extra seats or get a stone in an additional seat if you decide to pay cash. Note that you will not get the primary quiz points for additional seats. Miles obtained for additional tickets should appear in the “Airline Activity” section of your MileaPlus account with the “Extra seat credit.”

United allows two check luggage allowances if you buy additional seats, though it will also charge double change if your plan changes. You can still carry one bag carry and one personal item per person, though.

You can buy extra seats until your travel day, but the cost may be higher than your original seat.

Bottom Line

We all hope for the middle seat empty when we board the plane. When the entrance is close and the middle is empty, it feels a bit like winning the seatmate lottery.

Related: 9 ways not to be an annoying flight passenger

However, if you do not want to rely on luck, know that most major US carriers make it possible to book a second seat to make sure you don’t share your hands with foreigners.

Related Readings: