Is this possible for flight seats?

[caiustonne]

I don’t want to sit next to anyone on the aeroplane and am flying economy. Is it possible for me to theoretically buy three seats (in the same row) all for myself so that even if I don’t use them all, nobody else can sit next to me?

I’m not actually planning to do this by the way - just curious.

Or, if the aeroplane overbooks, can they force me to give up a seat and let someone sit next to me?

Yes it is possibly and yes they could use the seats if overbooked. You’d be better buying a first class seat.

Yes

You would not be guaranteed those seats. You can only check in for one seat and if someone hasn’t checked in by a certain time their seats are given to last minute buyers or those on standby. I know it’s probably cheaper to buy 3 economy ticket than one business or first class ticket but I don’t blame the airlines for having this policy. The more people on board the more “extras” they can sell — fees to choose a seat, excess baggage fees, and snacks on board. And TBH if I really needed to get somewhere and I found out there were empty seats on the plane that had not been made available because another person couldn’t bear to sit next to anyone but was too cheap to upgrade I would be unlikely to fly with that airline again.

Some airlines allow you to book empty seats beside you (not sure if any UK based airlines do). Otherwise, those extra seats you bought would not have anyone check in for them and would be considered “no shows” and would be given to standby passengers or deadheading crew. And open to anyone looking to do a last minute seat change.

It depends on the airline. I'm a flight attendant and my airline allows you to purchase the seat next to you but you have to call in after you book your ticket and the cost is almost as much as buying a second ticket. I very rarely see passengers doing this, likely because they don't know it's an option.

How does it work for obese people who need two seats? The airlines must have some way of booking two seats together.

I have heard of people buying two seats. Not sure if it’s only certain airline which allow it.
I think it’s a good idea.
I don’t like people sitting next to me either. Fine if they stick to their own space, hate it when they spill over into mine.

Fair enough; the hypothetical person being expected to give up their two extra economy seats might just as easily resent being expected to do so because you're too lazy or disorganised to book ahead.

Extremely overweight people can book "comfort seats". Or you can book a seat for something like your cello or a wedding dress.

It's not always a lazy or disorganised person grabbing the last minute seat you know!

More likely someone rebooked by the airline because their original flight was cancelled, or a connection missed due to airline delays.

At some airlines (e.g. BA) there is the facility to "buy an extra ticket to keep the seat next to you free" (that's from ba.com).

You do not need to be overweight, travelling to/from band camp or state a specific reason...you can just book it because you fancy the space.

(ETA: And no, AFAIK if done properly the airline can't resell the empty seat, it's blocked out for the customer who bought it.)

Weird take. Plenty of reasons to need a buy a flight at short notice - work, family emergency etc.

Yep, I've had to book on the day for work purposes (that cost more than a few quid.).

Not everyone is traveling for holiday purposes and has had months to get organised.

Yes you can buy extra seats, check with airline how they specifically organise it on their flights - you can book extra for eg being a larger person, for large valuable musical instruments, etc

Yep, if contemplating this it's important to check with the airline and go through their extra seat booking process, that way the extra seat should be blocked on the booking system from being reallocated.

Just booking multiple seats for phantom companions means (as pps have said) the seats will go back in the pot for airline use once those companions get registered as no shows.