A lot of it depends on the airline, type of plane being flown, and how you carry your weight, but, for what it's worth, I flew this summer weighing about 280lb, wearing a size 26 pant (I'm pear-shaped) and I didn't need to buy two seats, nor did I need a seatbelt extender; this was on Southwest airlines.
I was probably at or near my starting weight on my most recent flights. While I'm not overly wide for my size (I fit in the actual seat OK), I have a big stomach. On sun country airlines, the seatbelt fit though it was almost as big as it would go. On US airlines, however, I barely got it to click on my flight there, and it just wouldn't fit on the return flight. (Not sure if it was a shorter seatbelt or if I had gained some weight while in Vegas for 5 days!) I was too embarrassed to ask for a seatbelt extender, so I sort of "pretended" I was wearing my seatbelt by partially hiding it under my shirt and keeping something on my lap most of the flight. (Definitely not the smartest move in the world for my safety...but I was mortified!)
The other problem I had was with the tray. Because of my big stomach, it doesn't go down all the way, just stort of rests on my gut. Thus, I don't order drinks on the plane and opt to bring my own bottle of water to sip on instead.
Get an aisle seat if you can...gives you a bit of extra elbow room (on one side, at least). Also makes it easier to bend over and get your stuff if you store anything under the seat in front of you.
I also don't drink much before a flight so I don't have to use the bathroom. If it's a busy flight and you have to try to squeeze by people in the aisle, it can be an unpleasant experience.
I love to travel, but these experiences are part of the reason I got REALLY motivated to start losing weight. For good.
Best of luck to you and have a good trip!
Last edited by NorthernExposure; 02-09-2010 at 04:37 PM.
I barely got it to click on my flight there, and it just wouldn't fit on the return flight. I was too embarrassed to ask for a seatbelt extender, so I sort of "pretended" I was wearing my seatbelt by partially hiding it under my shirt and keeping something on my lap most of the flight. (Definitely not the smartest move in the world for my safety...but I was mortified!)
I feel you there... I was 268 at my largest and went on a flight somewhere around that weight. I couldn't buckle mine and also *unsafely* pretended to be buckled up... I just couldn't face the idea of having to ask and having people look at me.
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Originally Posted by NorthernExposure
I also don't drink much before a flight so I don't have to use the bathroom. If it's a busy flight and you have to try to squeeze by people in the aisle, it can be an unpleasant experience.
Me too... I've gone a whole 9 hour flight once without getting up to use the bathroom. Terrible I'm sure! But I hate having to walk down the aisles and swing my hips back and forth to fit.
It depends a lot on the plane. When I was at my highest weight (291) I was able to buckle the seat belt just barely on one plane, but with plenty of extra room on the way back (same company, different model plane). I never had to buy an extra seat but my thighs were definitely impeding on my neighbor's space (luckily my neighbor was usually my itty bitty sister).
I agree about getting an aisle seat, it's so much better. The tray table issue, again, I had on some planes not on others.
As soon as I walk onto the plane I whisper to the flight attendent that I will need an extender...they have always been gracious...and they have handed it to me discretely. One time I didn't even need it...but I would rather have it then have to ask later.
I weigh over 300 lbs. I'm also nearly 6' tall. I've flown a lot of international flights and a few domestic in the U.S. Never had to buy a second seat, even in coach. Bought my own seatbelt extender, although I don't have a problem asking for one, even in a normal speaking voice. (I think everyone already noticed I am a woman of exceptional proportion.)
Buying a seatbelt extender to carry yourself, if you're worried, is a great way to prepare if you're afraid you won't be able to ask the flight attendant. For the safety of yourself and those around you, please, please, please do not fake wearing a seatbelt. In bad turbulence, you're basically a projectile if you're not belted in, and at that point, it'll be too bumpy for the flight attendants to get you an extension to keep you and those around you safe.
Also, even if it's uncomfortable, long flights + no walking around = major risk factor for deep vein thrombosis. I can guarantee that everyone on that flight is thinking about where they're going, how uncomfortable they are, or other facets of their own existence. They are not judging you walking to the bathroom (and if they are, they're the kind of person whose opinion doesn't matter much). Besides, you'll make the whole flight a lot less comfortable for those around you if they have to emergency land your plane because your blood clots from not moving around. Please stay hydrated and move a bit on flights!
I try to select seats next to an empty one, obviously. I will put the arm rest up. On small planes, if there is a single seat choice, NEVER take that if you are at all concerned about fitting. They don't have adjustable arms.
Last time I flew in one, I was a size 24 and 290ish and didn't fit! I was mortified. It hurt to jam myself into the seat, as the plane was full. I sat there sobbing, no one said a thing. I didn't even try to put on my seat belt. The longer I sat, the more mad I got. I paid for a seat, and didn't deserve that, but I remained silent and again, no one said a word to me.
I will be flying this week and I have been thinking a lot about what it will be like now. The last time I flew I was at or around my highest,but I did squeeze in and I was able to click the belt. I was however so squeezed in the seat the armrest kept popping up so I had to hold it down with my elbow the whole flight. I agree with the previous poster who mentioned it depends on how you carry your weight. I am tall and my weight is fairly proportioned out so I am hoping that this weeks flight at my current weight will feel much better. I am down to a size 22. I am sure it won't be super comfortable I just want to be able to slide into the seat without forcing the armrest to stay down. A couple of things I do.
I always check the seating assignments before the flight to see if I should move my seat to a emptier area.
I always ask for a aisle seat.
I shamefully admit I try not to get up during the flight. I hate drawing attention to myself.
I put everything in overhead except maybe a magazine or book. I don't want any increased items to pull out on my lap during a flight.
If I am the first to my row I do not fully sit down until the others are there. I hate to get up again and draw more attention so I usually stand in the row out of others way turned around backwards until the lucky people who get to sit with me arrive. I always watch for them praying and hoping it's the little kid or skinny person walking down the aisle that has the seat next to me.
I just flew in Oct and I was sooo worried about if I was gonna fit in my seat and if I was gonna be uncomfortable. I flew US Airways and the seats were comfortable and I was able to lift the arm rest up next to the window so I had a little more room to scoot over. The seat belt was a lil tight but not too uncomfortable. NOW, on the way back home, it was a different story. I flew US Airways again but the plane was a different model. The arm rest next to the window did not move so I had less space and the seat belt felt really tight. I almost asked for a extender and I would've been mortified if I had to. Almost thru the whole trip, the seatbelt light was on. If I'd had known that they couldn't tell if u were wearing ur seat belt or not, I would've had that seat belt off, cause if was digging in me. lol. One good reason that I want to lose this weight is because I have to fly to Korea a 15 hr flight in June and I don't want to experience all the discomfort and anxiety I had when I flew back home on US Airways. I felt like a stuffed sausage.
Just wanted to update from my previous post. I just flew back home last night and I had no issues flying this time. The 60 LB's I have lost really did make a huge difference. I am tall so even at my current weight I had room to move. I can't wait until the next time I fly and maybe I will be down another 60!
I, also, just flew - and on the dreaded Southwest Airlines, which I have boycotted for years. (Cheapest, most direct way to get to my parents for a health emergency.)
First, let me say that all bodies are created differently. Some folks have no problem squeezing in at 300 lbs - but I did. Now at 250, I not only escape the glare of the flight attendants, but do not hang over the seat and the seat belt has about 6 inches extra when buckled. This was true even after a week struggling to stay on plan in the midst of family turmoil. (Like I could regain it all in a week?)
Bottom line - we all fit in those ridiculously uncomfortable seats differently. I'm just glad to no longer worry about carrying my extender with me any more!
Plane Travel
