Flying when fat - help!

And you definitely can book an extra seat. I've done it before when breastfeeding my baby, and not wanting her legs dangling over a stranger/feeling uncomfortable. Just booked two seats in my name 🤷‍♀️ and had the row to myself and baby, husband sat opposite with toddler. Not saying you should have to book two seats op, but if it would make you more comfortable it is always an option.

Ha yeah no, that's not how comfort seats work.

Kind of like the idea of inventing a person though. Mine would be Schubert Ramsbottom.

It could be that they are a family of four, so booked the two seats next to you, and the two adjacent, or in front, so they are all near/next to eachother? This is what we do, as easier to have a parent per child than one with two, and one with none.

Children have to be sat with their adult. That can be the seat behind, across the aisle etc but I've found they always allocate us in a row whether it be Ryanair, EasyJet or whatever. They always put DP somewhere random because I don't pay for seats.

It'll be a child you're sitting next to.

Maybe look at the options depending upon the airline eg if BA, consider upgrading to Club (shouldn’t be too expensive if flying in Europe and then there’s no-one in the middle seat), a comfort seat if RyanAir etc. I’m sure you could at least change seats to an empty row, perhaps one with extra legroom.

When it comes to checking in, go to the desk rather than doing it online. At that point, you can mention that you noticed people booked the seats next to you and ask if they can switch you to a less crowded row. Usually they can, if the flight isn’t full. It isn’t a guarantee of an empty seat next to you (because someone else could switch their seat for whatever reason), but it at least increases the likelihood!

Maybe they like a particular row, or disliked the other options. Maybe the other options were over a wing or too near the back or whatever. They clearly wanted an aisle or a middle if you booked the window, so maybe they wanted to book two seats together next to a single to reduce the chances of being asked to move.

I am size 24 ish and also have poor mobility so need assistance around the airport meaning I often board first. I always book a seat with extra leg room or premium economy seat on short haul flights. As I know I would not be allowed to sir in a emergency exit row it does mean I have to book my flights as early as possible or be flexible with the flight times.

On long haul I fly business class, I’d rather have fewer long haul holidays than fly economy! When younger I tried to go on a long haul holiday every two years, now I might go every five years as I have to save up a bit longer.

I dread needing the seat extender but so far I’ve managed to use the regular seat belt - I need to lose the lockdown weight gain though before I fly again!

I don’t actually spill out as I fit within the seat, even those with full sides so you can’t enchroach! That is partly due to where I carry my weight - that’s why I find the table difficult.

I also wear loose fitting clothes for the same reason.

There are 2 main problems you'll have. The first as someone has already mentioned it the tray table.. and the second is going to the loo especially if the people in front have reclined their seats....

The people next to you might not have chosen their seats, it could be that the travel agent has put them there or the airline might have assigned them (often happens when there's a group booking).

Ok so yes I guess you can, but you would have to invent a person to do so. And then when the imaginary person doesn’t turn up, the airline is free to use the seat as they see fit. So perhaps I should have said, it won’t achieve anything.

people do not in my experience sit in the wrong seat on planes (not like on trains where people do sit in other peoples’ reserved seats!), so you really don’t need to worry about that.

I am slim, fly a lot ( often long haul) and overweight people spilling into my e space is the least of my problems. Usually I am annoyed by screaming babies, whiny children, people talking loudly on their phones or dropping bags on me, eating noisily and so on. But I tolerate all these because you know, everybody deserves to fly. I feel sorry for OP feeling anxious.

At a size 24 you really don't need a comfort seat op. My friend who is a similar size usually books an aisle seat just because it's easier with getting out to the loo etc but you'll be fine in the window seat. Try to relax, you'll be fine! If you think you'll need an extender seat belt you can ask for one on boarding if you want to be discrete but it's nothing to be embarrassed about. I hope you have a lovely trip 😀

If you are a 24 you might feel a little bit tight but you will be fine. Airplane seats are never overly comfortable anyway! We have flown several long haul flights and I am a similar size to you and I have been fine. I used to have the window and my partner the middle but one time our flights got changed and I ended up in aisle, I would say moving forward I would pick the aisle over the window as it felt more roomy!

@Aprilx yes you can

Of course you can!

You can’t book two seats on a flight.

If you’re large enough to spill over into the seat next to you or even be worried at all rhay someone has booked the seat next to you on an empty flight, then you should perhaps book a second seat. Imagine if 3 larger bodied people all opted out of buying a spare seat and all ended up being in the same row. Could happen.

I’ve been in situations when flying and having the person next to me overflowing into my space. It’s uncomfortable.

@Sunshineandrainbow no they are called comfort seats you don't pay as much because you are not charged for luggage etc.

Make sure you keep the seat bar down the whole time. Next time book an additional comfort seat.