Printable View
a friend of mine wants to take her mother to Florida but has a problem.
Her mother is a very large lady and she is convinced that her mother will not fit into the seat on the aircraft.
I told her to contact the airlines, which she has done and is awaiting a response, but does anyone has any experience with this situation?
can anyone offer any advice????
A lot of larger people travel business class. A really nice treat for this lady maybe [msnwink]
I don't think that business class/prem economy is an option - it will be a budget trip to Florida.....she will be staying in a H***l on IDrive apparently (OMG!!!!)[msncry][msncry][msncry][msncry][msncry][msncry]
Tricky question indeed!
I don't expect a specific answer but how 'very large' is she? You do see some really big people on aircraft (particularly in the US) but in my experience it is very unusual to see somebody who can't fit in a single seat. There will be extensions available for the seat belts onboard so that won't be a problem. They should also avoid exit rows because they tend to have fixed armrests between the seat making them effectively much narrower.
Whatever the position, your friend would be well advised to check with the airline.
I think the main issue is that the arm rest has to be able to go down, and I know the lady in question and there is NO way it will.
I am a big girl myself and find the seats snug to say the least - but this lady is at least twice my size so there is no way shes gonna fit.
My friend has checked with Virgin and they have not replied yet - but she is not sure who to book with so I have told her she will have to check with all the carriers for confirmation.
Its such a sensitive issue, she has not mentioned this to her Mother as doesn't want to upset her.
Tricky Indeed!!!!!
I watched Airline USA last week, there was a larger lady on one of the flights and they made her pay for an extra seat due to her size - if the UK airlines follow the same policy then the trip might be a no go as I doubt she could afford an extra seat.
My sister is of the 'larger' size and her main problem is getting the table down in front of her in order to eat or drink. It is a problem and she finds the economy seats more than snug.
If the arm rest will not go down most airlines will insist she takes 2 seats.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by CCollins
I think the main issue is that the arm rest has to be able to go down, and I know the lady in question and there is NO way it will.
I am a big girl myself and find the seats snug to say the least - but this lady is at least twice my size so there is no way shes gonna fit.
My friend has checked with Virgin and they have not replied yet - but she is not sure who to book with so I have told her she will have to check with all the carriers for confirmation.
Its such a sensitive issue, she has not mentioned this to her Mother as doesn't want to upset her.
Tricky Indeed!!!!!
I watched Airline USA last week, there was a larger lady on one of the flights and they made her pay for an extra seat due to her size - if the UK airlines follow the same policy then the trip might be a no go as I doubt she could afford an extra seat.
[/quote]
It would be worth talking to the lady herself-she will have come across this sort of thing many times if she is that size and will need either reassurance or a plan-please don't just ignore it waiting for the day as i could think of nothing worse than the issue being addressed by busy,hassled gate/flight staff.[msnsad]
She isn't going to ignore it - thats why she is trying to find out now before booking the trip.
Her mum has NEVER been on a plane before so has no idea about it. She is sort of a reclusive - she lives on her own, doesn't go out much etc etc, thats why this trip will be so special (if they go!)
thanks
I really think the only other solution would be buying two seats, but she would have to make this clear in the reservation as the seat is then saved in a special way, just as it is when a diplomat travels with important papers or a musician with an instrament.
If she is only a little large and spills into her daughters seat then one seat would be possible.
Be interested to hear what Virgin have to say
The cost of 2 seats may not be as much as travelling premium economy which would give a little extra room and you could also also if it would be possible to have a bulkhead seat to allow more room in front and the tray comes to the side rather than in front.
The exit seats obviously wouldnt be allowed as you have to be physically fit and (in case of emergency you may be asked to open the cabin door and also that any disability would hamper other peoples exit from teh plane quickly), but there are bulkead seats that arent by an exit.
I know that she isnt specifically disabled because she is larger but may be slower than could be necessary in an emergency situation.
She wont be the first to ask and Im sure they will have some way round it.
Steph bulkhead seats would normally have fixed arm rests, so that is probably not possible
Bulk hesd seats are actually thinner as well as the tray has to be stored in the arm rest.
I hadnt realised about those as the only time we have had them was when we were upgraded to premium so they were obviously not representative of the normal economy seats (think it was row 81 or something like that
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
If the arm rest will not go down most airlines will insist she takes 2 seats.[/quote]
This is correct. When I flew on a flight from Belfast to London 2 years ago I was sat opposite 'Britain strongest man'. He was not a small fella and took up 2 seats. He was talking to the guy next to him and he says he has to pay for 2 seats on most flights.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by domster
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
If the arm rest will not go down most airlines will insist she takes 2 seats.[/quote]
This is correct. When I flew on a flight from Belfast to London 2 years ago I was sat opposite 'Britain strongest man'. He was not a small fella and took up 2 seats. He was talking to the guy next to him and he says he has to pay for 2 seats on most flights.
[/quote]
Who gets the job of telling him that?[msnscared]