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AIBU?

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AIBU to think airline seats no longer fit average-sized adults?

237 replies

Frequency · 04/04/2026 20:21

Do any airlines have adult-sized seats? Not obese adults, just regular adults?

We've just flown with Jet2 and my back is still in agony from the trip there. I was in the middle seat between my friend, who is slightly overweight but also short, so proportionately, she is not much wider than an average height, average weight woman, and a man who was maybe bordering on obese, his ass fit in his own seat, but his shoulders took a good three/four inches of my seat. My friend's shoulders took maybe a cm or 2 of my seat.

I'm not on the small side myself; I'm not overweight, but I am not what you'd describe as skinny. I needed all my shoulder space to myself. I was unable to sit back the entire flight because I literally didn't fit. I had to hunch forward with my shoulders rolled in.

On the way back, I was sitting between my friend, a short, slim lady. I could sit back, but I was touching both people on either side of me, and there was no elbow space or wriggle room.

For next year, I need either my shoulders shaved down and a few ribs removed or actual, people-sized seats. Do such seats exist?

OP posts:
Comedycook · 04/04/2026 20:32

LVhandbagsatdawn · 04/04/2026 20:29

The seats are designed with average, healthy weight people in mind. Unfortunately, the average person nowadays is overweight. Two thirds of UK adults are either overweight or obese.

A "not small" person sitting between two overweight people will, of course, be cramped.

The seats are designed with average, healthy weight people in mind

No. The seats are designed to squeeze in as many people as physically possible to maximise profit.

Hth

Shallotsaresmallonions · 04/04/2026 20:32

I think it's the other way around. Average sized people don't fit into the airline seats.

I'm 6'0 and don't have a problem fitting into the seats, other than having to angle my knees towards one side.

Plotment · 04/04/2026 20:30

Omg I thought the same last month!

Been a long time since I flew jet2! WTF!

Honestly hideous. And I am five ft 2 and a size 8/10.

I do not understand how anyone even remotely overweight or tall can fit in these seats.

Pinkgin00 · 04/04/2026 20:30

I think Jet2 seats are smaller than others ,seems to be the case in my experience. Also flew long haul with Virgin last year and they were tiny too! I am not overweight or tall.

I have recently flown to Portugal, flew with TAP Airlines for the first time and the seats were so much comfier and spacious. It just depends on the plane, some are definitely more cramped than others.

redsunsets · 04/04/2026 20:29

The seats are fine for a healthy weighted adult.

Frequency · 04/04/2026 20:29

CassandraCan · 04/04/2026 20:25

Adults are overweight and as a normal-sized person (who fits in seats - shoulders and all) I am always scanning the aisle to see if I have the misfortune of having an overweight person sitting next to me.

there is an epidemic of obesity and people just aren’t tacking it.

Edited

I can only assume you are very short and also have not read my OP. Neither of the people sitting next to me was obese. Overweight, yes, obese, no.

I'm 5ft9 and a normal weight by my BMI, and I needed every cm of shoulder space; a tall man would not fit next to me without taking space I don't have to spare.

OP posts:
LVhandbagsatdawn · 04/04/2026 20:29

The seats are designed with average, healthy weight people in mind. Unfortunately, the average person nowadays is overweight. Two thirds of UK adults are either overweight or obese.

A "not small" person sitting between two overweight people will, of course, be cramped.

ChatterMonkey · 04/04/2026 20:28

Just flown to and from Mexico, 10 hour flight. I was window seat and dh was middle, with someone else on aisle seat. We all managed to fit into the seats without any issue... none of us are particularly skinny, but would say we are average size.

Comedycook · 04/04/2026 20:28

Obesity is one issue but I do think plane seats are tiny and getting smaller.its all about money and squeezing more and more people in a small space. They are especially tiny on budget airlines for short haul flights.

I recently took an internal flight in the us...the seats were absolutely huge in economy...I was flabbergasted

cramptramp · 04/04/2026 20:27

I always fly with Jet2 and think their seats are as comfortable as airline seats can be. I’m not skinny and I fit into them fine. My OH is chubby and I don’t feel he spills over onto my seat.

CassandraCan · 04/04/2026 20:25

Adults are overweight and as a normal-sized person (who fits in seats - shoulders and all) I am always scanning the aisle to see if I have the misfortune of having an overweight person sitting next to me.

there is an epidemic of obesity and people just aren’t tacking it.

BenedictsButton · 04/04/2026 20:25

This is why I always book an aisle seat.