The Question of Buying an Extra Airplane Seat
A traveler took to social media to ask whether passengers could purchase an additional airplane seat next to them.
Posted in the “r/SouthwestAirlines” forum, the user’s comment said, “People keep ‘saving’ the seat next to them because they don’t want anyone to sit there. Is it technically possible to buy another seat, not customer of size, just so you don’t have to sit next to someone[?]”
Thoughts on Extra Space
The question of whether one can buy an extra airline seat to avoid sitting next to strangers evokes a myriad of opinions from travelers. It seems every aviator has a story—not all pleasant—about cramped quarters and uninvited neighbors. Today’s airlines often feature an open seating policy, and the idea of securing one’s personal bubble, absent a dining cart’s encroachment, evolves daily. A user remarked, “Maybe people buying an extra seat will stop the purses, jackets, blankets, etc., on the seat next to someone?”
Fellow Redditors sprang into action, offering wisdom and humor alike. One user commented, “You cannot have two tickets in your name.” The irony of single travelers desiring companionship yet the very absence of it creates a humorous paradox. Meanwhile, another offered light-hearted yet practical advice: “Take up a musical instrument, too large for the overhead but not too large for the seat. You’ll still have someone sitting next to you on one side, but your instrument will get a nice window view.”
The Policies of Airlines
Inevitably, the rules vary across airlines. Southwest Airlines boasts an open-air policy, allowing passengers to choose their preferred seats upon boarding, based on their assigned group. Yet, their help center does provide insight into the world of extra seating for customers needing it—encompassing various situations where personal space takes precedence. There’s a subtle acknowledgment in their terms: “Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel.” They even allow for refunds afterward, a glimmer of hope for the anxious traveler. Yet, the exact criteria for what constitutes a “customer of size” remain ambiguous.
Airlines such as American and Delta offer their own policies, promoting options for those desiring extra space. American Airlines states, “If you need more than one seat, please inform us of your seating needs when booking your trip.” Delta echoes this sentiment, clarifying “A customer may purchase an extra seat for each flight in the itinerary; the seat will be sold at the same fare when purchased simultaneously.”
A Future of Assigned Seating
As airlines evolve, so do their policies. In a significant development, Southwest has announced plans to introduce assigned seating by 2025, a move likely to alter the dynamics of cramped cabins profoundly. This could mean fewer random confrontations over the prized aisle seat. The anticipation of this change may bring comfort to many, easing the discomfort that comes with the uncertainty of open seating.
A Random Tidbit
Did you know the average commercial flight travels at a speed of about 500 to 575 miles per hour? It’s intriguing to think about how that speed could whisk a traveler right into a new adventure, while simultaneously, the seating arrangements might keep them firmly planted in their own thoughts, often shrouded in silence—an introspective moment in the sky.
Finding Solace in Tight Spaces
Travelers yearn for comfort, yet they face the reality of shared spaces. Although the thought of purchasing an extra seat may dance like a mirage in a desert of crowded cabins, the options available—and the policies surrounding them—reflect a larger narrative of human connection, personal space, and the push and pull of convenience in modern travel. Whether flying with Southwest or Delta, the experience often brings a mix of excitement and trepidation—an emotional cocktail that accompanies life above the clouds.
