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

In case you missed it, Southwest Airlines recently changed its policy for plus-size passengers who require an extra seat.

Beginning next year, Southwest will require passengers to pay for an extra seat in advance and then request a refund after the fact. This policy has been in effect on paper for some time; however, most people knew the airline would offer a complimentary extra seat at the gate to passengers who needed one but did not prepurchase.

Once the new policy goes into effect Jan. 26, the option to receive a complimentary extra seat will end. Even if you wait until you are at the airport to purchase a second seat, you will be required to pay and request a refund after the fact.

Southwest is among the major carriers that have long allowed passengers requiring additional room to purchase a second adjacent seat on their planes. However, most airlines (excluding Southwest, ironically) provide the option for all passengers requesting more space to book a second seat solely for this purpose.

Regardless of the reason, whether it be a performer with a large musical instrument or a passenger who just wants more space even though they could safely fit into one assigned seat, here’s how each extra-seat policy varies by carrier.

Alaska Airlines

All Alaska Airlines passengers can purchase an additional seat (called a comfort seat) via phone. Standard ticketing fees are waived for comfort seats; Alaska recommends purchasing them at the same time you book your first seat, but you can do so anytime before departure.

Note that you can use a Companion Fare voucher (such as the one available with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card) or your Atmos Rewards points to pay for the second seat. Just know that to use a companion fare certificate, you must book the second seat on the same reservation as the first.

If you spend cash to purchase the comfort seat, you are eligible to earn redeemable points on that seat, though not elite status credit. Once travel is complete, contact Alaska’s Customer Care Center to request this credit.

Lastly, if you are purchasing the comfort seat as a “passenger of size” and all your flights departed with an unsold seat, you’re eligible for a refund for the second seat if you contact Alaska after your flights.

Standard checked baggage charges and waivers apply for each purchased seat.

American Airlines

American Airlines permits customers wanting additional space to book a second seat.

To book two seats on American, customers must call reservations directly and purchase a second seat at the same fare and in the same fare class as the first seat. You can redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for the second seat if you redeem miles for the first seat in the same fare class. However, you cannot earn miles on the additional seat purchase if you pay with cash. Additionally, if you desire a second seat, you must book it for the full itinerary — not just one segment.

Delta Air Lines

Like American and Alaska, Delta Air Lines requires passengers to call the reservations line to book an extra seat for any reason.

Although you can redeem Delta SkyMiles for the second seat, the program prohibits earning miles on “tickets purchased to carry excess baggage such as musical instruments and pets or to provide extra space for the primary passenger.”

Since Delta basic economy tickets don’t come with advance seat assignments, you’ll want to avoid that type of fare if you are booking two adjacent seats to have some extra space.

Frontier Airlines

Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines advises customers who are “unable to lower both armrests and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seat or aisle” to book two seats prior to travel. Passengers can inquire about doing so online via the airline’s chat system, which has replaced its customer service phone line.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines offers guests the opportunity to book extra seats online at the time of booking but notes that these seats are not guaranteed to be adjacent.

To guarantee seats next to one another, purchase an extra seat in the main cabin (excluding basic economy tickets) through the reservations team.

JetBlue

JetBlue permits you to purchase an extra seat and complete the transaction online.

The process with JetBlue is pretty easy: Simply select two adults (or however many you need) for the flights you want, and when it asks for the second adult’s information, you don’t provide additional names. Instead, you click the option that reads, “This is an empty seat for” and then choose your name from the drop-down menu.

You can add an extra seat next to, in front of or behind you. According to JetBlue’s FAQs, you can pay for your extra seat with JetBlue TrueBlue points or a combination of cash and points.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is one of the few airlines that does not allow customers to purchase a second seat solely to keep the seat next to them empty. This policy only applies to customers who require an additional seat.

With the impending changes to Southwest’s boarding process, the “customers of size” policy for flights on or before Jan. 26 differs from the policy for flights departing after that date.

For flights on or before Jan. 26, “Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available.” When you arrive at the airport, let the gate agent know that you purchased an extra seat, and they will give you a “seat reserved” document to place on the adjoining seat. You can request a refund for the additional seat only after travel is complete by filling out the online form.

If you don’t purchase an extra seat ahead of time, you can speak with a gate agent at the airport and they will accommodate you with a complimentary additional seat. If none are available, they will rebook you on an alternate flight with available seats.

Southwest’s policy will change slightly after it transitions to assigned seating Jan. 27. Customers are still encouraged to purchase a second seat ahead of time, and you should be able to choose adjacent seats during the seat selection process.

If you show up at the airport without having purchased an additional seat, you will be required to purchase one at the current fare. If the flight is sold out or no adjacent seats are available, you will be rebooked on an alternate flight. You’ll still have the option to request a refund within 90 days after your flight, but this only applies if the flight departs with at least one open seat and you purchased both seats in the same fare class.

To purchase a second seat online, select one additional adult if you desire one additional seat. Under “Who’s flying,” you’ll put your name for the first passenger and then “XS” as the middle name for the second ticket.

Regardless of the policy change, it’s best to avoid Southwest’s Basic fare class, as it does not include seat selection.

Spirit Airlines

The rules for low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines are pretty simple and straightforward if you want a second seat. The airline lets you purchase an extra seat by using your name for both tickets and selecting the desired seat assignments. This is allowed whether you need the extra seat for yourself, want some breathing room or are purchasing it for any other reason.

You can use your Free Spirit points for the additional seat, but you won’t earn points on its purchase.

United Airlines

United Airlines allows you to purchase a second seat for extra personal space via phone, and you can redeem United MileagePlus miles for the additional seat or earn miles on the additional seat if you decide to pay cash. Note that you won’t earn Premier qualifying points for the extra seat. The miles earned for the extra ticket should appear in the “Airline Activity” section of your MileagePlus account with the description “Extra Seat Credit.”

United permits a double checked baggage allowance if you purchase an extra seat, though it will also charge you a double change fee if your plans change. You can still only bring one carry-on bag and one personal item per person, though.

You can purchase an extra seat up to the day of your trip, but the cost may be higher than your original seat.

Bottom line

We all hope for an empty middle seat when we board the plane. When the boarding doors close and that middle remains empty, it feels a little like winning the seatmate lottery.

Related: 9 ways to not be an annoying airline passenger

However, if you don’t want to rely on luck, know that most major U.S. airlines make it possible to book a second seat to ensure you’re not sharing that armrest with a stranger.

Related reading: