Hi, I am new to this site so be patient with me! I have not flown in 20 years and am flying in april. With all the talk of making fat people buy extra seats and seat extenders and things I am very nervous of being humiliated and would like to know others experiences. I dont think I will fall into tht size category but am unsure. I am 5'9', 290, size 24 and carry in my hips. I will be flying delta md80 and turboprop. Would love any others experiences. Thanks! So nervous!

Hi Nursanney
I carry my weight in my hips (well, a lot of it) and in my thighs. I have flown and I do fit in the seats, but I am very self-conscious of it. I am "snug" but I've seen others who are larger than me (in the rear) who have flown, so I know they CAN fly.

I suggest you call the airlines directly and tell them what type of plane you will be flying on and ask about the seat size (maybe you can ask about the size of the seats/then draw on a paper the size width of the seat and see for yourself how you will fit). Just a suggestion...

There may be some kind of "consumer relations department that addresses these types of concern for us larger people. A friend of mine called Disney World before going because she was concerned about riding rides with her child and not fitting into the seats-they had advice and diminsions...it may be that the airlines have that, too.

There may be more room in the seats that are closer to the front-I don't know, but I'm thinking of the ones that face the wall/where there aren't any in front of you. That may give you more room. At least you won't have to deal with the seats in front of you, too.

You may want to try an aisle seat, too. I would think that would be helpful in giving more room.

Good luck! I hope this helps!

Hi Anney... and welcome!

I think you will probably be okay.... I am 5'10" and was up to 286 and I did fine on the flights; however I do carry "up top" rather than in the hips. My advice is to be sure to ask for an aisle seat... that way you have room to "hang over" a bit... it helps!

Sue