A Quest for Solitude: Passenger Considers Buying Two Seats on a Southwest Flight
In an era where personal space and solitude are considered the ultimate luxury, a Southwest Airlines passenger has taken to Reddit to ask whether it’s possible to buy an additional seat just to avoid having anyone sit next to them. This unusual query has sparked a lively discussion about personal comfort, privacy, and the appropriation of space on commercial flights.
The anonymous passenger, who shared their question on a popular travel subreddit, is seeking advice on the feasibility and ethics of purchasing an extra seat. Their inquiry has elicited a mixed response from the Reddit community, with some supporting the idea for the sake of comfort, while others view it as an extravagant measure that could potentially encroach on the availability of seats for other passengers.
Debate on Personal Comfort vs. Public Convenience
Many commenters empathized with the passenger’s desire for personal space, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic. Some users shared their own experiences of uncomfortable, overcrowded flights, expressing support for the idea of buying an extra seat to ensure a more comfortable journey. 
However, others raised concerns about the ethical implications of such a move. They argued that if every passenger started buying extra seats, it could lead to an artificial scarcity of seats, driving up ticket prices and making air travel less accessible for some people. Further, they questioned whether such a practice would be fair to other passengers, particularly on fully booked flights.
Southwest Airlines’ Policy on Extra Seat Purchases
Interestingly, Southwest Airlines does have policies in place for passengers who wish to purchase an additional seat. According to their ‘Customer of Size’ policy, passengers who cannot fit comfortably and safely into a single seat can buy an extra one. However, this policy is primarily designed to accommodate larger passengers, not those seeking extra personal space.
Southwest Airlines also offers an ‘Extra Seat’ policy, which allows any passenger to purchase an additional seat for their comfort. This policy, however, is intended for passengers who want space for a musical instrument or other large item, not for solitude. The airline has not explicitly addressed the question of buying an extra seat purely for the sake of privacy.
Implications and Future Trends
The Reddit passenger’s question raises important questions about the future of air travel. With the advent of premium economy and business class seats, airlines have begun offering more personal space as a luxury feature. However, the idea of buying an extra seat purely for solitude presents a new twist to this trend.
While some view this as a possible solution to the discomfort of crowded flights, others see it as a symptom of a larger issue: the lack of affordable options for passengers who value privacy and comfort. This debate reflects the ongoing struggle to balance personal comfort with public convenience in the increasingly crowded skies.
As airlines navigate the post-pandemic world, they will need to grapple with these issues and potentially reconsider their seating policies. For now, the question of whether buying two seats for the sake of solitude becomes a norm or remains an exception is up in the air.
