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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:
SpiritAdder · 05/04/2026 00:23

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

^This
65% of adults are overweight or obese in the UK. They’ve done a study on perceptions and when you have the majority of adults being fat, then overweight starts to look normal and a healthy weight starts to look skinny.

It could be worse, it’s 73% of adults are overweight or obese in the US.

People are getting fatter and fatter.

AllTheChaos · 05/04/2026 00:12

People are on average taller now, which means their bones are also bigger and their frames are broader, regardless of whether or not they are overweight.

ThinkingAbout2026 · 04/04/2026 23:57

I can accept it on budget airlines as you get what you pay for. But I resent being cramped in on legacy airlines given the cost you pay.

WutheringFalls · 04/04/2026 23:47

I fit just fine but I make sure to take up every inch of my seat, including my arm rest and leg room so another person cannot encroach into my space.

B33cka8 · 04/04/2026 23:42

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?

As someone who is 5.8ft my knees are squished against the seat in front and it's incredibly uncomfortable, causing hip and back pain. I don't know how people who are taller manage!

Uptightmumma · 04/04/2026 23:33

Not over weight but tall (for a women) at 5ft 10 and I hate flying jet2/easyjet/ryanair because there is no space!! My husband 6ft same so together we are cramped

Fizbosshoes · 04/04/2026 23:33

Airline seats are one of the very few advantages of being very short. Im 4'10 and usually sit with teen DC (DD 5'1 and DS 5'7) but i can imagine its pretty uncomfortable if youre average height

Bryonyberries · 04/04/2026 23:33

The most comfortable economy seat I’ve booked more recently was Delta comfort plus. It is still economy but had 3 inches more leg room and better pitch. That tiny amount made so much difference. I felt I could properly relax in the seat. It helped it was two seat config on windows rather than three. It was a 12 hr long haul flight. Although more expensive than economy it’s about £100 more not several hundred like upgrading to premium. Worth it on a long flight.

Short haul flights are very cramped these days.

Changename12 · 04/04/2026 23:32

Frequency · 04/04/2026 23:24

I don't want cheap air fares if it means I cannot physically fit in my seat but the budget airlines seem to be the only options for shorthaul/package holidays.

I'd happily pay a few hundred more if it meant I could fit in the seat comfortably.

Business Class or Premium Economy?

Ponoka7 · 04/04/2026 23:25

RealOliveTraybake · 04/04/2026 23:05

The 737 has been flying since 1967. The seats are exactly the same width as a they've always been, the plane hasn't got any smaller.

The seat configuration has been changed. The seats are thinner and less padded. The design is more cramped. Also nutrition during childhood has made our frames larger (not fat, stronger bones) and as I said earlier, air travel has opened up to all races and many are bigger framed.

RealOliveTraybake · 04/04/2026 23:25

Frequency · 04/04/2026 23:15

Google says the average seat size used to be 18.5 inches wide with 33-35 inches between rows, and it is now 17 inches wide with 31 inches between seats, so they have definitely shrunk.

To clarify again, no one was obese. The man was maybe at the very edge of overweight, bordering on obese, but my friend is definitely not obese. Nor am I. Everyone's arsecheeks fit on their own seats. Their shoulders did not.

18" width seats do not fit in a 737 cabin. It's always had 17" seats.

Frequency · 04/04/2026 23:24

HandfulOfMoths · 04/04/2026 23:19

Even if they could my point stands. You want cheap air fares? You put more passengers on.

I don't want cheap air fares if it means I cannot physically fit in my seat but the budget airlines seem to be the only options for shorthaul/package holidays.

I'd happily pay a few hundred more if it meant I could fit in the seat comfortably.

OP posts:
francy99 · 04/04/2026 23:22

Unfortunately a lot more people are overweight nowadays but think they are normal weight. For example my DS is 23, he is 6 ft tall and weighs 11.5 stone. His BMI is around 21 - 22 which is in the normal range. He looks so skinny but this is actually normal but we are now so used to seeing bigger people we think this is normal. Seating hasn’t got smaller, people have got fatter. Eating too much. I am overweight by about 3 stone. I know I eat too much and don’t exercise enough.

HandfulOfMoths · 04/04/2026 23:19

Frequency · 04/04/2026 22:56

Surely, they can just go back to what they used to be before they started shrinking the seats?

Even if they could my point stands. You want cheap air fares? You put more passengers on.

Frequency · 04/04/2026 23:15

RealOliveTraybake · 04/04/2026 23:05

The 737 has been flying since 1967. The seats are exactly the same width as a they've always been, the plane hasn't got any smaller.

Google says the average seat size used to be 18.5 inches wide with 33-35 inches between rows, and it is now 17 inches wide with 31 inches between seats, so they have definitely shrunk.

To clarify again, no one was obese. The man was maybe at the very edge of overweight, bordering on obese, but my friend is definitely not obese. Nor am I. Everyone's arsecheeks fit on their own seats. Their shoulders did not.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 04/04/2026 23:15

ACynicalDad · 04/04/2026 20:55

I’m a large (but not very fat) male and have never had a problem with fitting in an airline seat and don’t think I spread into the next one. I think the focus should be on people losing weight not seats getting bigger.

Is that sitting next to another man, of a similar height? The average shoulder allowance is 17 inches. The seats rely on people of different heights and build (not weight). Three of my Nigerian friends (Igbo) , or even my weight lifting, two son-in-laws and DD (mixed heritage), struggle. None are overweight, but have bigger frames. The shoulder allowance doesn't suit many people of different heritages.

JaceLancs · 04/04/2026 23:09

I am 5’4” size 16 and have had no issues
Usually fly jet2

PenelopePinkerton · 04/04/2026 23:09

Seat size is fine if you are a healthy weight. Leg room however is not.

Tiedbutchorestodo · 04/04/2026 23:07

I’m a bit confused by this thread - I’m 5’6” (so not particularly short) and very definitely overweight and fit fine with no overspill - it must depend on whether you’re “wide” or “outward fat” maybe? I must be the latter!!

RealOliveTraybake · 04/04/2026 23:05

Frequency · 04/04/2026 22:56

Surely, they can just go back to what they used to be before they started shrinking the seats?

The 737 has been flying since 1967. The seats are exactly the same width as a they've always been, the plane hasn't got any smaller.

Panda89 · 04/04/2026 22:59

I fly regularly for work (easyJet) and have never had this issue.

Frequency · 04/04/2026 22:56

HandfulOfMoths · 04/04/2026 22:53

I don’t want airlines to increase seat size. Bigger seats = fewer seats = higher ticket prices.

Surely, they can just go back to what they used to be before they started shrinking the seats?

OP posts:
Pistachiocake · 04/04/2026 22:55

As a size 8 and perfectly healthy young woman in my 20s, I found them uncomfortably small! It's not got any better, either.
I never did try to fat shame, but it's quite sad now how many people moan about others overeating, as the people I know who are overweight eat very little. One put on stones after treatment for a brain tumour, one after cancer, one has hormone issues-no, these things don't affect everyone in this way, but we seem to have become less caring and considerate.

HandfulOfMoths · 04/04/2026 22:53

I don’t want airlines to increase seat size. Bigger seats = fewer seats = higher ticket prices.

Cherry8809 · 04/04/2026 22:52

Planes should have a test seat at check-in, much like the ones at theme parks that riders can sit in and see if they fit.

Anyone that doesn’t fit should have to pay for an extra seat instead of encroaching on the passenger next to them.