airplane seats?
hi guys,
i want to go home. i havent seen my mom in over 3 years and miss her. she lives in oregon and i in tennessee. my question to you guys is how small do you have to be to fit into an airline seat? i dont have the $ to buy 2 and i dont want to seep onto other ppl or be asked to buy another ticket while waiting in line. so i will just have to wait until i lose the weight to fit but i dont know when that will be. i would love to hear your guys' thoughts.
thanks,
M
i want to go home. i havent seen my mom in over 3 years and miss her. she lives in oregon and i in tennessee. my question to you guys is how small do you have to be to fit into an airline seat? i dont have the $ to buy 2 and i dont want to seep onto other ppl or be asked to buy another ticket while waiting in line. so i will just have to wait until i lose the weight to fit but i dont know when that will be. i would love to hear your guys' thoughts.
thanks,
M
That depends on your size. If I could afford it I would buy 2 seats just to be comfortable or look into first class seating. I have flown a few times and I always feel squished. One time I was between 2 men, it was so uncomfortable because we all had broad shoulders. 
Well, if I get the money I will do first class or just buy 2 seats. Up to you.
ThaFatChick
Well, if I get the money I will do first class or just buy 2 seats. Up to you.ThaFatChick
At my highest, 434 and 60 BMI there were only really threee choices for me. First class, where the seats are larger, coach with someone else I knew who didn't care about being a little squished, or buy the seat next to me as well.
It really depends on your hip measurements mostly. If your hips are much above 54 inches getting into a single coach seat with the armrest down will be difficult. Get up to 64+ where I was and its really impossible without making yourself and the person next to you miserable.
Try going with a lower priced airline and scheduling at least a few months in advance. The price will be half or less of what it will cost to get a ticket for a flight in the next few weeks, and even for two tickets it might end up being less or the same price.
Also be sure to check the seats on Seatguru.com before booking it. A lot of seats like the exit row seats and bulkhead seats have armrests that are fixed, which makes buying two tickets pointless.
Steve
It really depends on your hip measurements mostly. If your hips are much above 54 inches getting into a single coach seat with the armrest down will be difficult. Get up to 64+ where I was and its really impossible without making yourself and the person next to you miserable.
Try going with a lower priced airline and scheduling at least a few months in advance. The price will be half or less of what it will cost to get a ticket for a flight in the next few weeks, and even for two tickets it might end up being less or the same price.
Also be sure to check the seats on Seatguru.com before booking it. A lot of seats like the exit row seats and bulkhead seats have armrests that are fixed, which makes buying two tickets pointless.
Steve
Steve in Cleveland, Ohio - BPD/DS 02/25/2008
The WLS information site you can edit and improve! www.wlswiki.com
I went on a business trip to MD a few months before my surgery at about 350lbs. I fit in the seat with a seat belt extender, however we had to take a little puddle jumper from Burlington VT to NY then go on to MD and the small plane was VERY uncomfortable for me. On the way home on the small plane I got seated next to a fit looking guy in his 20s. He asked to be moved. I was mortified and spent a lot of the flight crying. The stewardess was really sweet though and said under her breath "don't worry hon, you can't fix ugly. I'll try to hit him with the seat belt when I do the demo" She didn't of course, but it made me feel (marginally) better. I've been avoiding planes and probably will for another 50lbs. Check the flights available and see what planes they use. There is a website out there that has the dimensions of seats for each plane but I can't remember what it is. You'd be better off with a direct flight, any trip that has a stop along the way is likely to use a small plane for at least one of the legs. Hope that helps!
~ Kris
HW/SW/CW/GW 379/337/155/160(pre PS)
HW/SW/CW/GW 379/337/155/160(pre PS)
Myranda,
Seat width (armrest to armrest) is usually 17" to 18".
I'm not saying you need to wait till your butt is 17" across, but in order for you to be comfortable on a 5-6 hr flight you may want to take those sizes into consideration.
As an FYI ... First Class seat width is on average 21".
Lots of information about seating can be found on http://www.seatguru.com
Seat width (armrest to armrest) is usually 17" to 18".
I'm not saying you need to wait till your butt is 17" across, but in order for you to be comfortable on a 5-6 hr flight you may want to take those sizes into consideration.
As an FYI ... First Class seat width is on average 21".
Lots of information about seating can be found on http://www.seatguru.com
| Airline | Aircraft Type | Seat Pitch | Seat Width | Video Type | Laptop Power | Power Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Airbus A319 (319) | 31-32.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Airbus A320 (320) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Airbus A321 Vers. 2 (321) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Airbus A321 Vers. 1 (321) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Beech 1900D (BEH) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Air Canada | Boeing 767-200 (762) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Air Canada | Boeing 777-200LR (772) | 32.0" | 18.5" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Boeing 777-300ER (773) | 32.0" | 18.5" | Personal TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Canadair CRJ-705 (CR7) | 34.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | Some Seats | DC Power |
| Air Canada | Canadair CRJ (CRJ) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Air Canada | de Havilland Dash 8-100 (DH1) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Air Canada | de Havilland Dash 8-300 (DH3) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Air Canada | Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) | 32-34.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | All Seats | AC Power |
| Air Canada | Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) | 33.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | All Seats | DC Power |
| Air New Zealand | Airbus A320 (320) | 30.5" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Air Pacific | Aerospatiale/Alenia 42-500 (AT5) | 33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Air Tahiti Nui | Airbus A340-300 (343) | 33.0'' | 19.0'' | Personal TV | None | None |
| AirTran | Boeing 717-200 (717) | 30.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| AirTran | Boeing 737-700 (737) | 31.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-400 Combi (734) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-400 (734) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-700 (73G) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 1 (73H) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-900 Vers. 2 (739) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Boeing 737-900 Vers. 1 (739) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Bombardier Q200 (DH2) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Bombardier Q400 (DH4) | 31-32.0" | 18.25" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | Aerospatiale/Alenia 72 (AT7) | 30.0" | 17.25" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | Airbus A300-600 (AB6) | 31-32.0" | 17.8" | Overhead TV | Some Seats | DC Power |
| American Airlines | Boeing 737-800 (738) | 31-32.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | Some Seats | DC Power |
| American Airlines | Boeing 757-200 (752) | 31-32.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | Some Seats | DC Power |
| American Airlines | Boeing 767-200 (762) | 33-34.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | Some Seats | DC Power |
| American Airlines | Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | Embraer ERJ-135 (ER3) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | Embraer ERJ-140 (ERD) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| American Airlines | McDonnell Douglas MD-80 (M80) | 31-33.0" | 18.0" | None | Some Seats | DC Power |
| American Airlines | Saab 340 (SF3) | 29-30.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| ANA | Airbus A320 Vers. 1 (320) | 31.0" | 16.5" | Personal TV | None | None |
| ANA | Airbus A320 Vers. 2 (320) | 31.0" | 16.5" | Personal TV | None | None |
| ANA | Boeing 737-700ER Vers. 1 (73G) | 31.0" | 16.5" | Personal TV | None | None |
| British Airways | Airbus A319-100 Domestic (319) | 32-34.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| British Airways | Airbus A320-100 Domestic (320) | 32-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| British Airways | Airbus A320-200 Domestic (320) | 32-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| British Airways | Airbus A321-200 Domestic (321) | 32-34.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| British Airways | Boeing 757-200 (752) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Beech 1900 (BES) | 30.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-300 (733) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-500 (735) | 31.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-700 (73G) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Micronesia Division (738) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 3 (738) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 4 (738) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 5 (738) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-900ER (73E) | 31.0" | 17.2" | None | Some Seats | AC Power |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 737-900 (739) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 757-300 (753) | 32.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Continental Airlines ** | Boeing 767-200 (762) | 32.0" | 17.9" | Personal TV | Some Seats | EmPower |
| Continental Airlines | Boeing 767-400 Hawaii (764) | 32.0" | 17.9" | Personal TV | Some Seats | EmPower |
| Continental Airlines | Bombardier Canadair CRJ-200 (CR2) | 31.0" | 17.5-18.5" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Embraer ERJ-135 (ER3) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Bombardier Q400 (DH4) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Continental Airlines | Saab 340 (SF3) | 30-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| CSA Czech Airlines | Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR-42 (AT4) | 32.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| CSA Czech Airlines | Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR-42 (AT4) | 32.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Aerospatiale/Alenia 72 (AT7) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 737-700 (73G) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 737-800 Vers. 1 (738) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | All Seats | EmPower |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 737-800 (738) | 32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 757-200 Ex-TWA Vers. 1 (752) | 31.0" | 17.2" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 757-200 Transcontinental (752) | 31-33.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 757-200 (752) | 31.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 767-300 (763) | 30.0" | 17.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Boeing 767-400ER (764) | 31-33.0" | 17-18.0" | Overhead TV | All Seats | EmPower |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ 40-Seats (CR4) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 2 (CR9) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 3 (CR9) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 1 (CR9) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Canadair CRJ 50-Seats (CRJ) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Embraer ERJ-135 (ER3) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) | 31.0" | 18.25" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | McDon. Doug. MD-88 Shuttle (M88) | 34-36.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | McDon. Doug. MD-88 (M88) | 31-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Delta Air Lines | McDon. Doug. MD-90 (M90) | 30-32.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| easyJet Airlines | Airbus A319 (319) | 29.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| ExpressJet | Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | 31.0" | 17.3" | None | None | None |
| Frontier Airlines | Airbus A318 (318) | 33.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Frontier Airlines | Airbus A319 (319) | 33.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Frontier Airlines | Airbus A320 (320) | 32.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| Frontier Airlines | Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) | 31.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| go! | Bombardier Canadair CRJ-200 (CR2) | 31.0" | 17.5" | None | None | None |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Boeing 717-200 (717) | 30-31.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Boeing 767-300 Vers. 2 (763) | 30.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Boeing 767-300 Vers. 1 (763) | 32.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Jet Airways | Aerospatiale/Alenia 72-500 (AT7) | 30.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| JetBlue | Airbus A320 (320) | 34-38.0" | 17.8" | Personal TV | None | None |
| JetBlue | Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) | 32-38.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR-42 (AT4) | 32.0" | 18.7" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR-72 (AT7) | 32.0'' | 18.7'' | Overhead TV | None | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Boeing 737-400 | 32.0'' | 18.7 | Overhead TV | None | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Boeing 737-500 (735) | 32.0'' | 18.7'' | Overhead TV | None | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Embraer ERJ-145 (E45) | 32.0'' | 18.7'' | None | Some Seats | None |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) | 32.0'' | 18.7'' | Overhead TV | None | None |
| LOT | Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) | 32.0'' | 18.7'' | Overhead TV | Some Seats | EmPower |
| Midwest Airlines | Boeing 717-200 Vers. 2 (717) | 33.0" | 18.0" | None | None | |
| Midwest Airlines | Boeing 717-200 Vers. 1 (717) | 33.0" | 21.5" | None | None | |
| Midwest Airlines | Canadair CRJ-200 (CR2) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Midwest Airlines | Dornier 328 (FRJ) | 31.0" | 18.1" | None | None | None |
| Midwest Airlines | McDon. Doug. MD-80 Vers. 1 (M80) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | |
| Midwest Airlines | McDon. Doug. MD-80 Vers. 2 (M80) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | |
| Northwest Airlines | Airbus A319 (319) | 30-32.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Airbus A320 (320, 32T, 32V) | 31-32.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Boeing 757-200 (5500 Series) | 31-33.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Boeing 757-200 (5600 Series) - Domestic | 30-32.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Boeing 757-300 (753, 758) | 30-32.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Bombardier CRJ900 | 32-34.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Canadair CRJ (CRJ) | 31.0" | 17.2" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | McDon. Doug. DC-9-30 (D93) | 30.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | McDon. Doug. DC-9-40 (D94) | 30-31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | McDon. Doug. DC-9-50 (D95) | 30-31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) | 31.0" | 18.25" | None | None | None |
| Northwest Airlines | Saab 340 (SF3) | 30.0" | 16.0" | None | None | None |
| Porter Airlines | Bombardier Q400 (DH4) | 34.0" | 18.0" | None | None | None |
| Qantas Airways | Boeing 737-300 (733) | 31.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| Qantas Airways | de Havilland Dash 8-100/200 (DH8) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Qantas Airways | de Havilland Dash 8-300 (DH3) | 31-32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Qantas Airways | Bombardier Q400 (DH4) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Southwest Airlines | Boeing 737-300 (733) | 32.0-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Southwest Airlines | Boeing 737-500 (735) | 32.0-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Southwest Airlines | Boeing 737-700 (73G) | 32.0-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Spirit Airlines | Airbus A319 Vers. 2 (319) | 31-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Spirit Airlines | Airbus A319 Vers. 1 (319) | 31-33.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| Spirit Airlines | Airbus A321 (321) | 28.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Airbus A319 (319) | 35.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Airbus A319 (319) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Airbus A320 Ted (320) | 36.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Airbus A320 Ted (320) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Airbus A320 (320) | 36.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Airbus A320 (320) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 737-300 US Vers. 1 (733) | 35.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 737-300 US Vers. 1 (733) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 737-300 US Vers. 2 (733) | 34.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 737-300 US Vers. 2 (733) | 32.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 737-500 US Vers. 1 (735) | 34.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 737-500 US Vers. 1 (735) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 737-500 US Vers. 2 (735) | 34.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 737-500 US Vers. 2 (735) | 31.0" | 17.0" | None | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 747-400 Vers. 2 (744) | 34.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 747-400 Vers. 2 (744) | 31.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 747-400 Vers. 1 (744) | 34-36.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 747-400 Vers. 1 (744) | 31.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 757-200 (752) | 36.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 757-200 (752) | 31.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * ** | Boeing 757-200 p.s. (752) | 34.0" | 17.0" | Overhead TV | All Seats | AC Power |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 767-300 WW 2 (763) | 34-35.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 767-300 WW 2 (763) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 767-300 US (763) | 35.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 767-300 US (763) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 767-300 WW 1 (763) | 35.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 767-300 WW 1 (763) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 777-200 WW 1 (772) | 34-36.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 777-200 WW 1 (772) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 777-200 WW 2 (772) | 34-36.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 777-200 WW 2 (772) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 777-200 WW 3 (772) | 34.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 777-200 WW 3 (772) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Personal TV | None | None |
| United Airlines * | Boeing 777-200 US (777) | 35.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
| United Airlines | Boeing 777-200 US (777) | 31.0" | 18.0" | Overhead TV | None | None |
If you know the plane is not booked full, undoubtedly you should be able to find (or ask) for two seats that are adjacent to each other somewhere in your section .. Even with assigned seats, sometimes the airline will either upgrade you from tourist to business or otherwise arrange it so you can get two adjacent seats at the last second (no charge), but I wouldn't count on it as a given .. (and they might still try to charge you for two seats then) .. 
When flying down for my surgery and back, I requested wheelchair service (extra large wheelchair) and AA gave me a free "upgrade" to two biz class seats that were in a row mostly by themselves, instead of 2 economy class seats in the middle of a row, b/c they apparently figured if I needed a big wheelchair that was the only way to get me in and out of the seats efficiently .. 
