Editor's Note: This section is a compilation of comments made about various airlines. It's by no means exhaustive. For detailed information which compares airline seat widths on various aircraft, find your airline and aircraft on SeatGuru.

American Airlines/American Eagle

Friendly to big folks. If you ask, they will try to place an empty seat beside you (by "blocking" the seat on the computer). You may need to ask ahead for a seat belt extender. Makes very large people purchase two seats.

Continental

Friendly to big folks. Requires passengers to fit within one seat or to purchase second seat.

Delta

Requires passengers to fit within one seat or to purchase second seat. Used to be generally thought of as friendly to big folks, but lately there have been complaints. One person who was large and disabled said she was refused a seat ("insurance requirements" were cited) after twice calling Delta to explain her special needs and being assured there would be no problem. Another person complained they were unresponsive to her need for a seat with an armrest that could be raised.

Hawaiian Airlines

Very friendly to big folks. Go out of their way to make you comfortable, arranging for extra seats at no cost when available. If no extra seats available, passenger must purchase an upgrade or second seat.

Midwest Airlines

They have four-across seating (rather than the standard five-across) on their DC-9s/MD-80s. The seats are all basically as wide as first class seats. Their major hub is in Milwaukee, and they fly cross-country.

Southwest Airlines

Unfriendly to big folks. Have been known to fly someone to a connecting city, and then decide that the person is too fat for a single seat, and then demand that the person buy another seat to continue their journey. Some people have had OK experiences with them.

United Airlines

Friendly to big folks; but require passengers to fit within one seat or to purchase second seat.

US Airways

Friendly to big folks. NAAFA (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance) trained and very respectful and kind about size issues. Makes very large people purchase two seats. Discreet about seatbelt extenders, good about seating people next to empty seats, upgrading to first for a small fee.

Virgin Airlines

Requires passengers to fit within one seat or to purchase second seat. If flight departs with empty seats, cost of second seat will be refunded to passenger upon request. Main cabin seats have 32-inch seat pitch (distance between rows); however seat pitch increases to 38 inches in their Main Cabin Select cabin and 55 inches in first class.

Original copyright held by Stef Jones (stef@bayarea.net). Article updated by grandstyle.com.

GrandStyle also has great tips on selecting a comfortable airline seat.